Last year, thanks to the generous support of donations, we were able to reopen the Na’atik Library and Intercultural Hub after being forced to close this vital student resource during the pandemic. When classes began for the 2023-2024 school year we were delighted to welcome Kaia on board as our full-time librarian/library activities coordinator. Her work has ensured that students once again have access to a program of fun educational activities which promote feeling comfortable in libraries and are learning to take joy in reading. One of the most popular activities among our local (and foreign) students is the weekly intercultural board game night. This month Kaia reports on a particularly busy evening of fun and games in the library…

The library buzzed with excitement as students of all ages and varying countries of origin gathered for a game night that promised an evening of laughter, friendly competition, and new friends. Some students seemed apprehensive about the imminent necessity of using their target language to engage with those not of their culture, but this soon faded as they saw how others were fearless and getting into the spirit.

The space that houses the library has an inherently welcoming atmosphere that embraces everyone who walks through the door, and this night was no different. Colorful, literary-themed murals, the shelves of books that line the wall, the variety of seating options – all work together to create an inviting ambiance. The space was well-lit, and the tables spread out for easy navigation between different game zones.

Our library boasts a diverse selection of games that cater to a wide range of interests and age groups – a necessity for a school aiming to bring together people of all ages and backgrounds. From classic board games like chess and Scrabble to card games and some more niche choices, there was something for everyone. Some students gravitated towards long-time favorites, while others took anything that caught their eye and sat down to learn something new. 

It was not long before the room was filled with the kind of joy that only board games can inspire. At one particularly lively table, a group of students huddled around a table, eagerly engaging in a spirited game of Uno. Their laughter and friendly banter filled the air as colorful cards were strategically played and alliances formed. The familiar “Uno!” calls and groans of playful frustration added to the festive air of the room.

Another table found two young, local students learning chess, under the patient tutelage of an older MaS (Maya and Spanish program) student. The three of them sat around the hand-crafted chess board together, the players studying the board, strategizing, consulting their advisor, and giggling gleefully each time they succeeded in seizing one of their opponents pieces. 

At still another, a young boy who, though normally reserved in his English class, steadily played the entire evening with two older Americans, all of them limited in their target language abilities, but communicating well enough to play several rounds of Scrabble. Quite the linguistic challenge in a target language, but all three persevered and managed to play some great words.

While the primary goal was, of course, to have fun, all of our participants also received the implicit benefits of practicing their target language with native speakers, as well as the opportunity to build relationships and exchange their culture – to learn about others and to share a piece of themselves. It is a subtle yet effective way of infusing learning into the night's festivities.

As the night drew to a close, the echoes of laughter, the smiles on everyone's faces, the cries of “when is the next game night?” were evidence of the success of the evening. Our small game night, though simple in its execution, had achieved something profound. It had brought our community closer, fostering connections and creating memories for everyone to cherish. 

To read more about our local education program, and how immersion experiences, online classes and donations help us to give local students access to opportunities that will help them create their own futures, check out our Impact page.  The Na’atik Library and Intercultural Activities Hub is funded 100% through generous donations.   We also have an Amazon Wishlist for supporters in Mexico and the US, with a list of books, games and educational resources which our students would love to have access to.

The opportunity to interact with our local students during events like this is a fantastic addition to our MaS language immersion program, which already offers unparalleled cultural and linguistic immersion. To inquire about reserving you immersion experience and making this the year you master Spanish or Yucatec Maya, contact the team on MaS@naatikmexico.org