This month’s feature is one of our very own English students, Abigail Tus. Abi has made Na’atik and her community proud from her commitment to learning English and her drive to create positive changes in her beloved community. As a student of Na’atik for 6 years now, she has paved her way ahead for academic opportunities while staying deeply rooted to her community. 

Learn more about Abi’s story here as she speaks with us from her dorm room in snowy Canada during her university semester abroad:

Can you tell me about your journey with Na'atik starting with your experience as a homestay family?

Well my family is a homestay family and about seven years ago, we met new people and they introduced us to some English language. I learned some words in English with them. 

What sparked your interest in learning English?

First, when my parents were a homestay family my sister and I started to take Na’atik classes. At the beginning I was not interested but then I did it and it was a beautiful experience. That first semester in Na’atik classes impacted me because I wanted to continue English courses. I was so interested in English classes because they were teaching…so different from our schools. Their classes are more interesting and funny, and easy to understand. And the Na’atik teachers speak English as their first language and so I decided to continue learning. I would also like to travel around the world and I think English is a good opportunity to do some other things that give you opportunities other than just speaking one language. 

Can you tell me about your time with Naatik?

I am a Na’atik student I think 5 or 6 years now, but like I said before in the beginning I was not so interested in learning English. I thought it was too difficult to learn but then it was so interesting being in the classes and so fun. That was the best decision I made because it gave me more opportunities in life and in my studies. I have been a student in English now for 6 years and my family is homestay. I think my English will improve because I have to talk with the people that visit my home and some friends that stay at my home that speak English. 

How has learning English changed your life as a young Indigenous Maya woman?

Learning English changed my life as a young Maya woman because it gave me more opportunities to improve all my skills and my knowledge about the English language. The first opportunities the language gave me was the program Jóvenes en Acción that was with the US embassy in Mexico. That opportunity gave me different views of the world and gave me a new perspective about learning the English language. It was also a very good experience for me because I can improve my English and I've made changes in my community. The program involved making changes to the issues of your community with different projects…I had a team with four young women and we did a project about bullying and we made a presentation in [our local] high school and with the elementary school, and it was very very important. And my other opportunity it has given me is an exchange in Canada. Now I am in Canada, and a student in business. It is a big opportunity to learn English. It changed my life. 

What do you love most about Carrillo?

What I love most about Carrillo is the people and also the community. Because the people are so polite with others. For example, when people from other countries visit they usually are so polite with them and they give help to them. The people in Carrillo are so charming with others that are not originally from Carrillo. And also I really love that it is a little city that is beautiful and so peaceful.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I usually take a walk. I like to go out to take a walk in my city, and also I really like the arts. I really like to paint, that is an activity that makes me feel so peaceful and relaxes me. I also really like to read some books and usually get out to ride my bike. Those are some things I usually do when I am in my city, but now being in Canada something I really like to do is get out to see little parts of the city. I also like to spend time with friends, meet other people, and learn more about the city, the community and the culture here. 

Want to help support more amazing English students like Abi? Visit our Impact page for information on how you can support Na’atik and these students.