One of the most important parts of our immersion experiences is the time students spend with their homestay families. These families open their homes to our students giving them the opportunity to experience life here in Felipe Carrillo Puerto. We recently sat down with one of these hosts, Doña Gloria Uicab Tun, to talk to her about her and her familiy’s experiences as homestay hosts.

Why did you decide to become a host family?

We didn’t really decide ourselves. Catherine [the school director] invited us because our daughters Lluvia del Mar, Luna del Mar and Arena del Mar were all studying at the school, and the subject just arose one day after class. She asked us whether we would be able to host students, and would we be willing to try being a host family. I told her it would be a pleasure because I felt that living and interacting with foreign students would be good for the girls’ English and would help them learn better and faster. I was particularly interested because Catherine said that the visitors like to become a part of family life, sharing meals together and spending time with us.

My husband and I had a conversation about it, and we agreed that it would be a good thing to try. So we started welcoming students into our home in 2016.

What is your favorite part of hosting?

For me the best part is sharing and learning from each other. They tell us about the places they live, how they live. Even things like the weather, snow and rain in other places are interesting to me and the girls. It is really helpful for the girls to hear these things about the world.

While it is a sad moment when people leave, it is also a sweet moment because we feel that connection when people say they want to stay for another week or another month and we want them to stay too.

Our longest visitor was Claire, who stayed for three months! We have had many families who want to learn things, one even wanted to learn how to embroider from me.

How do you find communicating with the students? Is it easy or hard?

Well while I can’t speak English I can understand some, and my girls can help me sometimes as they have been learning now for a few years. My husband also knows a bit from Duolingo. We have never really had problems, even with the families who speak absolutely no Spanish we always find a way to communicate and I can help them learn. Most students learn quickly and when they say words or sentences incorrectly in Spanish I can help them to say them correctly.  All of the students want to learn so they are happy to have some help and don’t worry about making mistakes.

What are some of your favorite traditions, places and foods you like to share with students?

I try to show them a little bit of everything when it comes to food. Things that are not the same as where they come from. The normal antojitos such as salbutes, panuchos and empanadas, although they might be familiar. I like to show them dishes with chaya, such as huevo con chaya or various chaya aguas with limón or piña. There are also dishes like papadzules and the normal beans and lentils and other things. I like students to tell me what they like so I can give them what they like and they don’t just say they are not hungry because it is not to their taste. Most people seem to really enjoy trying new things and to like the foods.

I have many great memories of sharing things with students. One time before the pandemic I had three girls staying during the Festival of Three Kings, and my family was involved in the celebrations at the Francisco May Park. The three girls wanted to be part of the day and we got dressed together in the traditional clothes and they took part and danced and had a great time.

Another time we had a family with children and we went on a trip together all in the one truck up to Progresso, Merida and lots of little towns and interesting places like Chichén Itzá. The kids were all in the back of the truck playing, singing and laughing together. We even had a hammock in the back of the truck! My daughters had a really great time. We all ate together in little loncherias, and I showed them all the great food and fresh fruit. It was a wonderful time. 

Other times I have visited many places with students, such as Chichén Itzá, Tulum, the ruins at Cobá and even down to other ruins near Chetumal. When students come for more weeks we try to plan things with them as we can get to know them and know what they will like.

What advice would you have for anyone who is planning to come and study here with Na’atik?

The most important thing is to make the most of your time. Get involved and try to explore the city. There are many beautiful places and things to see in and around Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Try to walk around and to meet people. I would also advise them to come for more than one week. One week is not enough time to get to know us or the place and it is too fast to practice the Spanish you learn here. The most important thing though is to take advantage of all parts of the experience.

If you are interested in visiting in either a Spanish or Maya immersion experience, including a homestay visit with one of our families, you can read more here or contact us on say@naatikmexico.org