Angel and his sister, Vanessa, have been Na’atik students for six years. Their father works long hours in a hotel in the north of the state and made English classes for his children a priority. He wasn’t able to sustain the cost of both children, so we were able to first add Angel, then Vanessa, to our MY scholarship student list. After a few years at Na’atik, Angel became the talk at Na’atik as a student star. Although he was quiet, wouldn’t speak unless spoken to, and kept to himself, our teachers noticed that when he was asked to speak and write, his English was flawless. It’s been incredible seeing him grow up into a confident young man ready to take advantage of new opportunities and experiences his parents didn’t have.

Can you tell our audience about yourself and what you are up to now?

I'm a 16-year-old guy who lives in Carrillo Puerto. Right now I'm in my last year of high school.

How did it feel to receive a scholarship to study at Na’atik? 

I was really happy because I had always wanted to learn English and it was an amazing opportunity

Can you tell us about your time as a scholarship student at the school? What were your Na’atik teachers like?

It has been really fun and interesting. I've made a lot of friends, learned new things. My teachers have been amazing. The classes are dynamic, you never get bored and you know you're always going to learn something new.

Which activities did you enjoy?

I love when we travel and spend a whole day practicing and having fun.

Has learning English improved your confidence?

Yes, absolutely. Not only at school but in my life. It feels good.

If you would like to read more about Mexican culture, history, cuisine and language, check out our blog page for our latest monthly articles. You can also sign up to our newsletter to receive these straight to your inbox along with the latest news about our non-profit school for local and Indigenous students in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. 

The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.