The End and the Beginning

Each one of our students developed a final project in their area of interest in different communities around the peninsula. The topics were as diverse as they were extraordinary, from endemic honeybees to dance, education, arte, environment, plants, life and animals on the coast, and more. Some of their written work included how to tag crocodiles in the mangroves without losing a limb in the process, how to create an artistic message to help keep the beaches pristine, how to interact with fisherman as a foreigner without them seeing you as a tourist who is only on the coast to work on their tan, or how to learn to dance with a body that doesn’t feel very flexible. Presented all together, it made for an incredible show.

Without a doubt, seeing and hearing our students talk about their experiences is always a pleasant and gratifying experience, since much of what they have learned, even through the most difficult moments, is showcased.

We have to thank our students for their determination, positive attitudes, adaptability and, above all, for clearing a space in their minds and their hearts to fill with a new language, new ways of thinking, new landscapes, plants, animals, families, food, stories and interest in continuing to learn more about the world and different cultures.

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...

Merida: Our Days in the City

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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