A couple of weeks ago Ana Cristina, Abigail, Geyni, Ingrid, and Ana returned from an amazing month-long exchange to the U.S. As part of the World Learning Inc. Jóvenes en Acción (Youth in Action) program in partnership with the U.S Embassy, Mexican Embassy and Enseña por Mexico, the group of girls were selected from applicants across Mexico.The group of inspirational young women, who study at Na’atik as well as continuing their high-school studies, created a project with the aim of helping the local community. Centered around bullying, an issue which is important to the group, they first conducted a survey which showed that 72% of the students asked had witnessed or been victims of bullying.As well as submitting their project, they also had to prove their English proficiency and we at Na’atik are very proud to be a part of that journey. We know the hard work and determination of all five young women is a testament to their continuing successes.Only seventy students from thousands of applicants were selected to go on the trip which traveled across three states. First, they stayed in the World Learning Inc. camp in Brattleboro, Vermont. They stayed in dorms with students from different countries, cultures and backgrounds, and they attended workshops and activities on leadership skills, teamwork, empathy and understanding wider issues which affect communities outside of their own.Next, they headed to Cleveland, Ohio, where they stayed for two weeks, living in homestays in their host communities. Here they got to put what they’d learned at camp into practice and work on their project through talking with professionals and others who run projects and campaigns around bullying issues.Their final week was spent in Washington D.C. where they presented their final project plans at the U.S. Embassy! They explained how their projects had changed and improved, following both the workshops and by just being around people with different viewpoints, culturally and otherwise.Now back in Carrillo, these young women are putting their project into practice. We couldn’t be more proud of our students, and we strongly believe that the confidence they have gained from this trip and the exposure and immersion while in the U.S has not only improved their English skills even more but inspired them to dream bigger and to achieve their goals both in and outside of the classroom.

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The best way to experience the Mexican lifestyle is in person, with a Na’atik Immersion experience. Not only do you live with a local Mexican-Maya family, sharing home-cooked meals and free time, but also receive expert instruction in your chosen language at our school. Best of all, every immersion experience helps fund our subsidized and free local education program, helping local students to access opportunities and make their own futures.