This month’s Faces of Na’atik is Rosy Viana! Rosy has been with Na’atik since 2013 and is one of our Maya Youth (MY) Project scholarship students. We are so proud of how far she has come and wanted to know how she was currently maintaining her language skills alongside the English program. Rosy is a big fan of Na'atik’s Intercambios, our intercultural language exchange events, that allow our local English students and international Spanish students to engage with each other and apply what they have learned in their classes. 

What made your parents sign you up for English classes?

Rosy: I remember when my dad discovered Na'atik! Around that time, teachers were on a strike and weren’t giving classes and my parents were concerned about keeping me busy. So my dad gave me the choices of either learning Tae Kwon Do or learning English. I thought English sounded good and I’ve been learning English at Na'atik since 2013. 

Did you have any doubts about your ability to learn the language?

Rosy: I definitely had doubts about being good at English, I know that I’m not the best and I can always be better.

Did you have any difficulties during your experience with Na’atik? How did you overcome them?

Rosy: I didn’t have any difficulties studying with Na’atik because everything is always planned and there are always engaging projects and ways to apply the language.

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

When I received the Na’atik scholarship I felt really happy to be able to continue my English language studies. I felt proud because I wouldn't have received it if I wasn’t a good student. It’s a great opportunity and I am very proud of myself for earning it.

We heard that you like the Intercambios. Have they helped to improve your English?

Yes, I think the intercambios are such a good idea! Talking to foreigners gives you new data. You learn about a new person, the place they are living and how they are. Because of the pandemic I don’t often have the opportunity to practice English and they have helped a lot. They have helped me to understand not only the language but the different cultures that speak it. I find them interesting and great!

What opportunities do you have to speak English in your neighborhood?

Unfortunately, I can’t practice English in my neighborhood because I don’t have any neighbors [who speak English]. I feel a little sad about this but the intercambios have been a great opportunity for me to practice.

What is your favorite tradition?

Here in Mexico we have a lot of traditions but if I had to choose just one it would be Day of the Dead. It's so beautiful and it is the very essence of Mexico. It is one of my very favorite days of the year.

What do you enjoy about living in Carrillo?

I like living in Carrillo. It is a calm place and there isn’t a lot of noise. I do prefer the sounds of the birds to the sounds of engines. I love to wake up to the sounds of birds. If you want to live in a calm place, you would be really comfortable.

We have almost 40 Maya Youth (MY) Scholarship students like Rosy. You can donate here to sponsor one of our incredible students.  

Na’atik’s Virtual Intercambios are an opportunity for our Spanish immersion students to connect with our local English students, whose programming is heavily subsidized by our Spanish and Maya classes. Participating is donation-based. If you’d like to practice your Spanish skills and join in on our next Intercambio (typically Saturdays at 11 am Central Time) and sign up for Spanish or Maya language classes, contact Erica at say@naatikexico.org.