Finding Her Confidence in Spanish in Felipe Carrillo Puerto
When Alysse decided to spend four weeks learning Spanish in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, she had two goals in mind: reconnect with a language she had loved since childhood and become more confident speaking it. She also wanted an experience that went beyond the classroom, which is one of the reasons she chose Na’atik.
“I learned as a kid and forgot most of it, and I loved the language,” Alysse shared. After years away from Spanish, she wanted to return to it and feel comfortable using it in everyday conversations.
Na’atik stood out to her for two reasons. She wanted to learn Mexican Spanish, and she appreciated that Na’atik is a nonprofit organization that gives back to the local community through educational opportunities for children.
“I don't like programs that only are for themselves,” she explained. “I like ones that actually give back to the area that they're in.”
Learning by Living the Language
For Alysse, one of the biggest challenges was finding the confidence to speak Spanish with other people. The solution was simple, although not always easy: keep talking.
In Felipe Carrillo Puerto, where English is not widely spoken, she had plenty of opportunities to practice. Immersion meant stepping outside her comfort zone and communicating with the Spanish she had, even when she wasn't sure she was getting everything right.
Over four weeks, she noticed improvements in her understanding of the past tense and in her ability to follow conversations. One moment that stood out was sharing dinner with friends and chatting together in Spanish. It was a reminder that she could participate in conversations and connect with people in the language she had come to learn.
Living with a local host family was another important part of the experience. Alysse described her hosts as wonderful and talkative, giving her plenty of opportunities to listen and learn.
“Even if I didn't respond as much, I'd started to understand more and more words that I hadn't heard before.”
And then there were the meals. When asked which everyday moment she would remember most, Alysse didn't hesitate: the jokes around the table. Sharing meals every day created a familiar space where she could listen, participate, and become more comfortable with the language and the people around her.
Feeling at Home in the Community
Alysse appreciated that Felipe Carrillo Puerto offered something different from a traditional tourist destination. She prefers smaller towns to cities and wanted to travel somewhere she could experience everyday life rather than remain surrounded by other tourists.
Her first impression of Felipe Carrillo Puerto was that it was a cute little town, exactly the kind of place she enjoys. More importantly, she said she never felt uncomfortable here.
That sense of belonging extended beyond her host family. Even though she was the only immersion student during her stay, Na’atik's staff invited her to join their activities and celebrations. Rather than feeling like a visitor on the sidelines, she felt included in the community.
One highlight was celebrating Mexican Independence Day with the Na’atik team, sharing a special dinner and taking part in the festivities. Experiences like these gave her a chance to connect with people outside her Spanish lessons and experience local traditions firsthand.
She also valued being able to visit Na’atik's classrooms and see the other side of the organization's work: the English education opportunities it provides to local children and young people. For her, this was an important part of what made the program different.
Taking Spanish Home
By the end of her time here, Alysse's biggest takeaway wasn't just improved grammar or a better understanding of Spanish. It was the confidence to use what she knew.
Back home, she had often felt too nervous to speak Spanish with other people. Now, she plans to make a greater effort to start conversations and practice instead of letting that fear hold her back.
Her experience in Felipe Carrillo Puerto helped her understand that becoming more confident doesn't mean knowing every word. Sometimes, it means being willing to try, listen, make mistakes, and keep going.
Would she recommend Na’atik to others? Absolutely. And would she return? She had originally hoped to stay for five or six weeks, so coming back was already on her mind before she arrived. After her experience, she's even more certain she would like to return.
For Alysse, four weeks in Felipe Carrillo Puerto meant reconnecting with a language she loved, finding the confidence to speak it, and becoming part of a community along the way.
At Na’atik, language learning is about more than what happens in the classroom. Through local host families, everyday conversations, community celebrations, and opportunities to connect with local students, learners can experience Spanish as part of daily life while supporting an organization committed to expanding educational opportunities in the community.
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.