Face of Na'atik: Wes, Spanish Immersion Student

A big part of Na’atik’s mission is bringing together people of all ages from different backgrounds to improve their language skills while sharing their cultures and ways of life with each other. We believe that genuine cultural immersion is the best way to learn and improve your abilities in a language, and is also a worthwhile experience in its own right. We often see that the relationships built between homestay families and our students are both genuine and long standing, with many staying in contact after their visit and even coming back to visit again.

This January we welcomed Wes, 19, from New Jersey and his parents to Felipe Carrillo Puerto, to take part in our Spanish immersion program. While Wes’ mother and father were here for one week each, Wes stayed for three weeks. Less than two months later Wes returned to Na’atik to continue with his Spanish classes for another two weeks. He kindly took the time to sit down with us and talk both about his experiences here and his reasons for choosing to return for a second visit so quickly.

Why did you choose to study at Na’atik in the first place?

I am currently on a gap year before heading to college and am doing a bit of traveling while also auditing some classes to help me decide what path I want to take. My family does quite a bit of travel in Latin America and most of the family speak Spanish, so I felt it would be a good idea to take this opportunity to do an immersion experience.

A friend of the family had been to Na’atik before and spoke very highly of the program and the experience she and other friends have had here. The opportunity to live with a homestay was also a big factor.

How did you find your first visit here?

I had a really good time! I loved my homestay family and it came to feel, as cliche as it sounds, almost like a second home. I got to explore Felipe Carrillo Puerto and places nearby as well as to meet some cool people. I had some really great classmates and I really enjoyed getting to know people I otherwise would never have met, with a diversity of experience all working on improving our Spanish. I also really felt the benefit of my classes in my ability to understand and communicate.

Why did you decide to come back for a second immersion experience?

I wanted to make the best use of the free time I have and given how much Spanish I had learned in the first three weeks here, coming back just made sense. I also missed the school and the people I had met during my time here.

How has it been living with two different homestay families?

I am very glad I got to experience staying with two different families (four weeks with one family and a week with another family). Both were very welcoming and made me feel right at home in their own different ways. I was made to feel right at home by everyone, and had kept in contact with my first homestay family during the time between my visits. I honestly felt like part of the family.

While both families had their own way of living, I enjoyed the authentic Mexican food and getting an insight into local culture. I felt like I learned as much Spanish from my conversations at home as I did from my classes. I will miss the fresh tortillas and the delicious soups, empanadas and everything else!

Have you felt comfortable being here on your own?

It has felt very real being here. Carrillo doesn't pull any punches when it comes to cultural immersion, which was exactly what I was looking for. That said, it has felt safe to explore on my own even after dark. People were very kind on the streets. I have also been able to use my Spanish in shops, to ask questions and for directions, which was both gratifying and encouraging.

How have your classes been?

I had two different teachers, Wigelmy and Rita, and both have been great, understanding my level and my needs, and accommodating of my learning style. I had both solo and small group classes, with both being useful in their own way. The classes have pushed me, hitting just the right level while always being willing to slow or speed up for me. It was great that the teachers listened to my interests and what I wanted to learn. The classes were also fun, full of laughs and never boring or stale the way traditional language classroom lessons can sometimes be.

What has surprised you the most about life here?

While life here has been very different to back home, I don’t know if I found it that surprising, mostly because of how natural it felt. I guess I was surprised that the grittier more authentic Mexico existed so close to the more popular touristy areas. 

Has anything been difficult for you?

When I first got here communicating was very challenging. but people try hard to help you that it is not a real problem. I also think the difficulty really helped accelerate the learning process.

How much do you think your Spanish has improved?

A lot. I can communicate with people, and while I am a long way from being fluent I have taken a big step in the right direction. I can form more complex sentences and can express myself much more confidently.

What would you say to anyone that was thinking about studying at Na’atik?

You will most likely have a phenomenal time. You will definitely learn a lot and improve your Spanish. As long as you come in not looking for a Cancun-style vacation, you will find what you want here. You will meet amazing people within the school and in the town.

I would suggest exploring the wider region beyond Carrillo, especially if you are here for longer than a week. The buses and combis are easy once you figure them out, and they open up the whole peninsula, and they are not that expensive either.

I think it is the best way to learn Spanish, faster, more gratifying and more genuine. You also get to learn about a fascinating unique culture.

Will you continue with Spanish?

I will certainly be looking at taking some Spanish in college and will be trying to find ways to keep improving on my Spanish in the meantime. I hope I can come back and continue learning with Na’atik again in the future.

Thank you Wes for taking the time to talk to us and for choosing Na’atik for your immersion experience. We hope you enjoy the rest of your gap year and have a great time at college. You are welcome back at Na’atik any time.

The best way to experience Mexican culture is by spending time with local families away from tourist resorts. Na’atik offers a unique nonprofit language immersion program, where your Spanish or Maya lessons are augmented by a homestay experience in the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Sharing meals and spare time with local and Indigenous people makes this a not to be missed opportunity to see the authentic Mexico. Every visit helps us to provide life changing educational opportunities to local children. Visit our immersion page or contact us on mas@naatikmexico.org to find out more.