University and Beyond
At Na’atik Language & Culture Institute, many of our students are preparing to take the next big step in their lives: university. In Quintana Roo, where over 70% of the population lives below the poverty line, higher education is one of the strongest tools young people have to break the cycle of economic hardship and build better futures.
In Mexico, English remains a key skill for mobility and opportunity. Although many institutions teach it, true proficiency is still uncommon. Na’atik’s mission is to bridge that gap — helping students build strong English foundations so they can pursue higher education and better employment opportunities.
Many of our students follow in the footsteps of our current teachers, who were once Na’atik students themselves.
Hugo and Yana
Twins Hugo and Yana have been part of Na’atik for 10 years. They started at age 6, now, at 16, they are dreaming of their futures beyond high school — and beyond Mexico.
Yana explains, “I'm leaning more for software, something related to software.”
Hugo adds, “I want to study biology. I'd like to specialise in ornithology, that is the study of birds.”
From a young age, both imagined exploring the world.
Yana remembers, “We always used to say, I want to leave Mexico and visit the world, and things like that.”
They see English as a key to the international world.
When asked where they might study:
Yana says, “Maybe the USA or the UK.”
Hugo says, “I'm not sure. I'm between a country with prestigious schools or a country with pretty nature, like plants all over the place.”
Their parents encouraged them from the start.
“Our parents wanted us to speak English because they knew it was a way for us to interact better with other countries,” Yana explains.
Both feel Na’atik played a major role in opening their world.
“Studying English is really, really important.” She says, “Being with foreign people at Na’atik, it's really, really cool because you also gain knowledge and pronunciation, because most people, like, compliment our pronunciation. And I think that's nice.“
Brandon
Brandon has also been with Na’atik for over a decade. Now preparing to study systems engineering, he will soon leave Carrillo to begin university, and English will be essential.
“Some subjects are in English, and I need English for my career,” he explains.
For systems engineering, he will need to take English for two years. He explains that the technical elements are in English, and he will require a qualification to pass.
When asked why he first enrolled, he laughs: “My mom registered me!”
What began as a push from his mother grew into something he values deeply.
“I really like Na’atik, it’s comfortable, it feels like home,” he says. “I know the people, the teachers. In Na’atik, the people are good.”
As a Maya Youth Scholarship student, Brandon has benefited not only from his scholarship for classes but also from the library and workshops.
“My favourite was when my classmates and I made a theatre play with puppets.”
Once he graduates, Brandon hopes to find opportunities beyond Carrillo — opportunities he now feels prepared to pursue. University was always the goal, and Brandon recognises the importance of education.
Saory
Seventeen-year-old Saory has studied at Na’atik since she was just four years old. Next year, she plans to begin university, with a clear goal in mind:
“I want to be a doctor to help people.”
She explains that she has wanted to be a doctor from a young age, so studying medicine at university has been a long-term goal. Previously, she wanted to be a firefighter, but her goal quickly changed.
She knows English will likely be part of her future, whether treating English-speaking patients or working abroad.
“I’d like to live in a different country. All my life I have lived here, and I want to know more places. Maybe the US or the UK, or Australia.”
Whether her path leads her abroad or keeps her in Mexico, she feels confident because of her years at Na’atik. She even practices English with her father, who also speaks English. What she loves most about Na’atik, she says, is the teachers and the chance to meet people from around the world.
A Happy Goodbye
Our incredible students have grown with us for many years, and soon we will proudly watch them take the next steps toward university and a brighter future. Helping them gain confidence in English, explore new topics in our library, and provide opportunities is our goal.
As these students move forward, many more are rising through our English program, preparing for their own journeys.
This year, Na’atik aims to raise $7,000 to repair and update our classrooms, damaged by termites and years of use, and to support another full year of our trilingual library, complete with new workshops, activities, and tools of discovery.
Donate today and help ensure a strong 2026 for our Na’atik students — so more young people can gain the English skills they need for university and beyond.