Danny's Chapter: Connecting With My Roots
Carrillo is located in the South of Mexico in the state of Quintana Roo. It is a small town with a large indigenous population that speaks
Maya. However the majority of the residents speak Spanish. The homes are modest, the weather is warm and the town is full of culture. My host family was very welcoming and accommodating. They did everything to make my stay comfortable and really made me feel like I was part of the family. During my stay I even had the opportunity to attend a college graduation ceremony for my host brother Luis. It was a really special event and a big deal for the family. I was just happy to be able to share the experience.As for Na'atik, the staff does a wonderful job of ensuring that you have an literary and schedule for every day that you are in Carrillo. They plan many cool activities for you to do. One of the highlights of my trip was going to a nearby lagoon with Molly, a Na'atik staff member, her family and another student named Jessica. At the lagoon we canoed and even swam in a cenote. Another highlight of my trip was my host mom taking me to a pueblo near Carrillo called “Señor”--a mostly Mayan town in order to visit her mother and interact with the local Mayan population there. It was a wonderful experience that allowed me to learn about Mayan culture.You do have some free time during your stay that I encourage you to take advantage of. For instance, during a chunk of free time I had, I took a day trip to see the ruins at Tulum and was still able to make it back in time for my Spanish classes that afternoon.Pedro was my Spanish teacher during my stay and he is amazing. The Spanish instruction that he provided me was very helpful—and although my level of Spanish was intermediate when I went to Carrillo, Pedro was able to tailor the lessons to my level and really push and challenge me to improve.The entire staff at Na'atik are humble, kind wonderful human beings who are doing really important work. In addition to hosting study abroad students like myself, they provide English classes to the local population. And for many of the residents of Carrillo, learning English can go a long way in terms of career prospects.Spending a week in Carrillo really helped to improve my Spanish (both conversationally and grammatically). Beyond that, I was able to connect with my roots and learn more about my Mexican heritage. The people and city of Felipe Carrillo Puerto are beautiful and I plan on returning one day. I really enjoyed my time and would highly recommend anyone to attend Na'atik if you are looking for a sense of adventure and an authentic taste of Mexico! If you have any reservations about the program, reach out to the staff and they will be happy to help and answer any questions you may have!
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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.