Faces of Na’atik: Jessica Manigrasso

“I was nervous about how I would get along with my host family, I was nervous about maybe my skills not improving but everything has turned out amazing, my host family is pretty much like family to me now as well”.

Let’s meet Jessica, one of our immersion students. Besides her ability to communicate in Spanish, Jessica has shown a big interest in learning more about the local culture and visiting different places in Carrillo as well as nearby locations in Quintana Roo. Jess is going to be with us for three months, so we wanted to know more about how her experience has been staying with her host family and studying with us, participating in different activities and practicing her Spanish with our English students, who can also practice their English skills with her.

Why are you learning Spanish? What motivates you?
I’m in university right now and have been studying Spanish as my major. I want to be an interpreter and gain the certification to be an interpreter. I wanted to learn Spanish here to help me with my skills and my classes in university, and everything to do with communication and comprehension skills. I also knew that it was really important to learn about the culture as well, especially because you can’t separate the language and the culture. I wanted to learn Spanish here to make sure my language skills are improving in addition to my knowledge about the culture.

Did you have any experience with Spanish before coming to Na’atik?
I did. I took Spanish all in high school and then I went back to school [university] about a year ago. I'm a Spanish major, so I’m studying Spanish, but it was not a ton of experience.

Why did you choose to take an immersion course, and why Na’atik?
One of my professors suggested it to me, because I was a little bit behind with my speaking and comprehending skills. He suggested that I do a program like this, because this is the best way to learn a language, to immerse yourself fully, living with a family or with people that speak the language and being in a town that is fully Spanish speaking. The big reason why I came here was to improve my skills for school, eventually the job that I want and also the cultural aspect as well. I came here to Na'atik because I know someone that went and she told me about it two years ago, and I’ve been wanting to come here since she told me about it. I researched it as soon as she told me and it just seemed like such an amazing place, and the mission seems so great and the reviews were super awesome, so that’s why I chose Na'atik.

What were your expectations before arriving? Have they changed?
Honestly, I didn’t know what to expect. I got my friend’s perspective on it and she told me that all the families are so nice, that the school is great and the teachers are great. I didn’t have a lot of much information—I just knew that the program was well run and it was a cool town, but honestly I didn’t know what to expect. I think though that it was better than I could have expected. I was nervous about how I would get along with my host family and about my skills not improving, but everything has turned out amazing. My host family is pretty much like family to me now as well. They are not just people that I met and am staying with, they are pretty much like family to me, so that’s turned out better than I ever could have thought. Same with learning—it is not as scary as you think maybe it will be.

What has been the most challenging part of learning Spanish so far?
The most challenging part would probably be the feeling of embarrassment. It is really hard to get past that, and your nerves can affect how you act. Even if you know the conjugations, even if you know the rules, even if you know what you want to say, sometimes it just doesn't come out that way and I think the nervousness and the embarrassment of not speaking very well or understanding very well has what’s been really difficult for me. I have been actively trying to work on that because if you are not practicing because you are nervous, then you’re never going to be better, so I’m really trying to work on the mental side of it. 

How has it been living with your host family? 
It’s been amazing. Better I could have imagined. They’re like a second family to me. I feel there was almost no transition period. I think the first day that I came I felt a little bit off because I was trying to get to know them and their routine. But by my second day, it was like I have known them for so long. It feels very natural and they have incorporated me into all of the activities with their friends and family. I’ve been to a quinceañera, birthday parties, and vacations. They just took me in and treat me like part of the family; it just feels so natural and great.

How have you adjusted to local life?
I think I have adjusted pretty well. I like the pace here—I feel like the pace is a little bit slower than where I live. I love the food, and I love how people treat each other and how friendly everybody is.

Is there anything you’re looking forward to in the rest of your stay?
I told myself this is kind of the halfway point. I’m going to be here for three months in total. I've been here for six weeks now, and I told myself that I’m going to try to explore more historical places, and I also think that I’m going to try to really appreciate some of the things that are here that we don't have in the U.S. (or at least where I’m from in the U.S.). For example, the central park that’s here in Carrillo is so beautiful; you just sit and enjoy it, and I think there are a few different things like that in town that I really want to make sure I’m appreciating while I’m here. I’m looking forward to it a lot. I’m looking forward to visiting different ruins and cenotes, going on trips with my host family, but I think I’m also really looking forward to how I see my skills improve the next six weeks as well.

Thank you for taking the time to talk to us, Jessica. It is great to have you as a student here in Na’atik, we hope you continue enjoying the rest of your stay and studies here!

To learn more about Na’atik’s English language program for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, visit our Impact Page. We are only able to provide this much needed program thanks to the support of generous donors and the funds raised from our award winning Maya and Spanish Immersion Program. If you would like to support our mission please consider donating today or take a look at our immersion programs and online class packages.