Alumni Interview with Brittany Simmons

What inspired you to go abroad?

I have wanted to learn Spanish for some time and thought traveling abroad would help me by engulfing me in the language and culture. Na'atik showed up on an internet search and I fell in love and knew that I had to go.

Why did you choose Na’atik Language and Culture Institute?

I did a lot of internet research and, in the end, Na'atik was definitely the school I wanted to attend. Once I got in touch with the team at Na’atik, they were all incredibly helpful and responsive. They even connected me with a past alumni so that I could hear more about the program from someone who had already done it.

What was your favorite part about Felipe Carrillo Puerto?

The people! Everyone at the school and in that town was incredible. The school connects you with a host family and my family was so lovely and supportive. My teacher was fantastic and just every moment of the trip was great.

What made your experience abroad unique?

The people. Every person in the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto is incredibly kind and helpful. The school is staffed by fantastic people with giving hearts.

How did local staff support you throughout your program?

The staff always checked in to make sure they knew if I needed anything. They were present, helpful, and lovely.

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently?

I wish I had gone for a longer time. I was only there for two weeks and it went by way too fast.

Describe a typical day in the life of your program.

Every day was different in the end, but started the same. We would begin our day with class which was incredibly intimate and helpful. After class, there was usually some kind of excursion planned, and if not, my host family was open and giving and I often hang out with them. Or my friends from the school and I would go exploring. We went to the fair that was in town, or we traveled to Tulum, there was a lot of exploring and fun-having.

What did you enjoy doing in your free time?

Exploring and learning as much as I could about the town and the language.

What was your accommodation like? What did you like best about it?

The accommodations were lovely. My host family was incredibly respectful of personal space, but I was still welcome to spend time in their company. It was the perfect balance.

What is one thing every participant should know before participating in your program?

Keep an open heart and try everything you can! The time will fly by. Take advantage of every moment!

Did you face any unexpected challenges while in  Felipe Carrillo Puerto?

No, I felt very prepared for the experience thanks to Na’atik.

What surprised you most about Felipe Carrillo Puerto?

I was surprised by how friendly everyone in the town was. I expected to feel a bit like an outsider and that was not the case at all. I was welcomed with open arms.

If you could learn a new language, which language would you study and where?

Besides Spanish, I would love to study French in France! And after that, I would love to study Hebrew in Israel.

What do you feel the biggest benefit of learning a language abroad is?

I think that language is intrinsically connected with culture. So, if you can learn a language while immersed in the culture, that is immensely helpful and an incredible learning experience.

Would you recommend living with a host family to other students going abroad? Why?

Absolutely! Living with a host family is an incredible experience. You immediately have a support system that is there for you and you make incredible friends and memories.

Now that you're home, how has your program abroad impacted your life?

I have more confidence in the language and still want to continue learning. Also, my wanderlust has been heightened and I yearn to travel more and more.

Would you recommend Na’atik Language and Culture Institute to others? Why?

Yes. I think the program was exceptional, and the experience life-changing.