Gap Year Programs
A GAP YEAR WITH PURPOSE BEYOND THE ORDINARY
Go beyond the tourist experience with Na’atik’s Gap Year program in the heart of the Maya region of Mexico. Immerse yourself in Spanish, discover contemporary Maya culture, live with a local host family, and connect with the community through meaningful projects and hands-on experiences. Build language skills, develop intercultural understanding, and gain a deeper perspective on the world while becoming part of a community far beyond the classroom.
GAP YEAR OPTIONS
Explorer (4 weeks)
Immerse yourself in Spanish and Maya culture while becoming part of the local community. Live with a host family, explore the region, learn through real-life experiences, volunteer, and build meaningful connections beyond the classroom.
$4,225
Adventure (8 weeks)
Go beyond cultural immersion and become an active part of the community. Build your Spanish skills, participate in community projects, explore sustainability and Maya heritage, and develop a deeper understanding of the place you call home for eight weeks.
$8,177
Impact (12+ weeks)
Take your immersion to the next level through language, culture, community engagement, and leadership. Choose an area of focus, develop a project connected to the community, and turn your experience into a meaningful personal and educational journey.
$12,377
ITINERARIES
(These itineraries are samples, actual activities and excursions may vary depending on availability and operational considerations.)-
Week 1 | Welcome to Mexico: Arrival, host family introduction, Spanish placement, language classes, local orientation and a visit to Muyil and its lagoon.
Week 2 | Living the Culture: Local markets, traditional cooking, introductory Maya language, handicrafts and a trip to Bacalar.
Week 3 | Community & Nature: Community engagement, melipona bees, local agriculture, sustainability and an excursion to cenotes or Sian Ka’an.
Week 4 | Reflection & Celebration: Cultural project, Spanish assessment, final excursion to Cobá or Chichén Itzá, and a farewell celebration.
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Weeks 1–4 | Foundations: Spanish immersion, host family living, local culture, traditional cooking, Maya language, nature excursions and community introduction.
Week 5 | Community Engagement: Participate in a community project, practice practical Spanish and explore intercultural leadership.
Week 6 | Maya Heritage: Discover Maya history, traditional medicine, language and regional cuisine, with a cultural excursion.
Week 7 | Sustainable Living: Explore conservation, local economies and responsible tourism through community activities and nature experiences.
Week 8 | Personal Impact: Present your project, assess your Spanish progress, receive personalized feedback and celebrate your experience.
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Week 1 | Welcome to the Maya World: Arrival, host family, orientation, survival Spanish and a visit to Muyil.
Week 2 | Living the Language: Practice Spanish in local markets, everyday interactions and traditional cooking experiences.
Week 3 | Maya Culture: Explore Maya history, traditional medicine, melipona bees, handicrafts and introductory Maya language.
Week 4 | Community Connections: Begin community engagement through education, the library or environmental initiatives.
Week 5 | Sustainability: Discover local agriculture, the milpa, ecotourism and environmental challenges.
Week 6 | Nature & Conservation: Explore regional biodiversity, cenotes and protected natural areas.
Week 7 | Leadership: Develop a community project focused on education, culture, health or the environment.
Week 8 | The Yucatán Peninsula: Discover regional history and heritage through destinations such as Chichén Itzá, Valladolid and a local cenote.
Week 9 | Global Citizenship: Examine sustainable development, responsible tourism, inequality and intercultural understanding.
Week 10 | Professional Skills: Explore an area of interest, such as Medical Spanish, education, community development, sustainable tourism, Maya language or conservation.
Week 11 | Final Project: Develop a presentation, documentary, research project or community initiative.
Week 12 | Celebration: Present your work, evaluate your Spanish progress, receive feedback and celebrate with your host family and the Na’atik community.
Words From Our Community
“My study abroad program lasted for 3 months and during that time I was able to learn and understand more Spanish here than my entire life in the US. The community here is amazing, everyone is understanding, the events that you can participate in are amazing, and the people at Na'atik were amazing to me and the other students that were here.”
—-Rigoberto M
“If you’re interested in diving in and learning as much as possible, definitely give this a shot. But, the best part was staying with my host family!!! I am so grateful for them because they really took me in as part of the family. I feel honored to have a place in their hearts. Apart from classes, they’re how I’ve been able to learn how to listen and speak better.”
—-Abby W
“I am so glad that I have had this amazing experience. I have learned sooooo much much Spanish and so much about Mexican and Mayan culture. This knowledge is not something you can get from a book, being able to learn from and talk to my teacher Rita everyday and my homestay siblings is something I am so grateful for.”
—-Nehanda M
“Carrillo is a lovely little town that I enjoyed exploring on foot and with the bicycle that the school provides. I saw a few of Carrillo’s many vibrant cultural performances with music and local dances in addition to trying lots of local foods like tamales and empanadas. (And I, as a young American woman, felt totally safe walking around by myself too!) I recommend this experience to anybody who wants to broaden their horizons linguistically and culturally!”
—-Megan C
MORE REVIEWS
Inquire Now!
Have questions about any of our programs and offerings? Contact us here and we’ll be happy to answer your questions. You can also email us at mas@naatikmexico.org and we’ll be happy to answer any questions you have about our programs or help you book your Immersion Program.