Alumni Interview with Theresa Anderton

What inspired you to travel abroad? 

It has been a bucket list item of mine to learn Spanish, and I also love to travel, so I decided the best way to learn Spanish was to go to a Spanish-speaking part of the world to learn the language. 

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

I chose Na'atik in Carrillo Puerto because I did not want to be in a large city, I wanted to be somewhere warm and close to the sea, and because of the great reviews I read online about Na'atik. I also loved the fact that it is a part of the school for Mexican kids here learning to speak English. 

What was your favorite part about Carrillo Puerto? 

I loved how close it was to many beautiful places on the water - it was easy to get to Tulum, Bacalar, and Mahahual in less than two hours. I also loved the people I met during my eight weeks there. From the homestay family and those I met through the school, to those I met in my travels around, everyone was warm and welcoming!

What made your experience abroad extraordinary? 

I stayed for eight weeks, and lived with a host family who opened up their home to me and treated me like family. I think that made this a wonderful and unique experience. 

How did the local program staff support you throughout your program? 

I cannot say enough about how amazing and helpful everyone who works at the school were. I received so much support throughout the entire process of studying here. The staff member, Simon, was responsive, informative, and organized in arranging my stay here, and Layla, the study abroad manager who took over when Simon left, was there everyday to check in on me before and after my classes, and via text.

She gave me great advice on weekend travel as well as tips for living in Carrillo. The director, Catherine, is an amazingly motivated and hard working person, whose vision and dedication for the school I admire immensely. My main teacher was Pedro, who was a fabulous teacher - patient, interesting, and had a way of explaining things that made it easy and fun to learn. 

What's one thing you wish you would have done differently during your time abroad? 

I wish I had been there at a time when there were more students, it would have been nice to have more language learners to talk to and explore with on the weekends. Or that I had brought someone with me to study at the same time. 

Describe what a typical day in your life abroad looked like. 

I would wake up around 8:00 a.m., have a quick breakfast and ride my bike to school, where I would have Spanish class from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m., then I would ride my bike back home to have lunch with the family around 2:30 p.m.

I would ride back to the school in the afternoon around 4:00 p.m. because I was involved with planning and planting a garden at the school. After a few hours at the school I would ride back home. Then would have some free time before dinner around 8:00 p.m. I would usually fit some time in for homework and studying before going to bed. 

What did you enjoy doing in your free time abroad? 

I liked to walk the three blocks to a track to go run in the evenings and I liked to travel to nearby beaches on the weekends.

What type of accommodation did you have? What did you like best about it? 

I was in a homestay with a family of six - three kids, mom, dad, and grandma. It was a house where I had my own room with a shared bathroom. I loved being able to talk with the kids because I felt more comfortable making mistakes in front of them, and I wasn't as shy about talking around them. I also loved the food their abuela cooked. 

What is one thing every future participant should know about your program before their program begins? 

Your learning experience may vary depending on who your teacher is. 

Would you recommend Na’atik to others? Why? 

Yes, I would recommend this program to others because of the support Na'atik gives you is enough that the process of studying here has been easy. Also because Carrillo feels like "real Mexico" instead of a tourist destination, and it is a small, safe town in a great location that allows a lot of independence. 

What do you feel the biggest benefit of traveling abroad is? 

The people you meet and the way it makes you realize how much is out there and how much more there is to life than what you know in your small corner of the world. 

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

I will never forget how it felt to be welcomed by my host family and treated as one of their own. Now having experienced the amazing Mexican and Mayan culture, I have a greater understanding of why they are proud to be who they are. 

What does meaningful travel mean to you? 

Traveling to expand horizons and bring people and cultures together through understanding and mutual respect.