Our Day in Ek Balam

At 7a.m. everyone said "adios" to their host families in Merida, and then we settled in for a long drive to Ek Balam.

The first thing we did when we got there was to get coconuts!

We biked and walked to the cenote Xcanche, a freshwater swimming hole

And then it was time for a dip!

After swimming we had a delicious lunch of poc chuc, handmade tortillas and tamarind juice

Trying out the hammocks

After lunch we visited the Mayan ruins

Ek Balam means "black jaguar" in Mayan and was one of the most important cities in the region

It is the only ruin to contain a kings tomb that was found intact with stucco and paintings when part of a wall fell away during restoration

A view of the false arch and the observatory

The ceiba, the sacred tree of the Mayans. It was thought to reach the 13 levels of heaven and the 9 levels of the underworld

After a long morning, we made our way to U'najil ecocabins in the pueblo of Ek Balam for some down time

Then it was time for workshops! Autumn and Jamie perfected the art of making tortillas

Jessica spent some time with Antonia making mountains of tortillas

Nicole and Sydney learned to weave hammocks

Ek Balam is known for it's distinctive weaving style. Many of the women started weaving when they were 8 or 9 years old!

Camryn and Taylor spent some time weaving as well

Most of the hammocks made in the pueblo now are made with nylon string which gives brighter colors

Meanwhile... the teachers spent some time playing soccer with the local kids!

Headed back to the cabins

Karla and Polly talking with our group

Eating some delicious salbutes before heading to bed to rest up for the long day tomorrow!

Orientation 2024: A Journey along the East Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula

We began our orientation trip for the College of the Atlantic Yucatan Program on the beautiful eastern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the state of Quintana Roo. We avoided the main tourist hubs of the Riviera while visiting historical sites, influential cities, and small communities that welcomed us in to see how they are working to preserve their environment and maintain cultural practices. Along the way, we met some amazing families, ate delicious food, learned about the history of the peninsula and worked our way closer to our final destination, the city of Merida, capital of the state of Yucatan. Our journey began on the beaches of the east coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, where we visited one of the most important archeological sites from the Mayan Postclassic period, the ancient city of Zama, better known today as Tulu...

The Beginning of Immersion: Diving In!

During the first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. The host families in Mérida are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of the students' time in Mérida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more profoundly in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. The culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical context for what w...

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The first part of the student’s time in Merida, meeting and integrating into their host families, is probably the most important step in beginning an immersion program. In our case, here in Merida, host families are fundamental for the students to adapt to their new urban context. Another important aspect of their time in Merida are their Spanish classes, since the language will allow them to interact and immerse themselves more completely in the culture. During these language classes, the students not only learn grammar and structure, but they are also able to develop their own linguistic abilities by sharing, discussing and practicing the everyday vocabulary and expressions that they hear outside of the classroom. Mayan culture classes are another key part of the program, they help the students understand diverse aspects of the culture, how a Yucatecan family lives, the differences between interacting in an urban or a rural setting, and provide the hidden historical contex...

Adventures in Yucatan, Mexico

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