Well, in my first blog post I wrote about being nervous and not knowing what to expect from my first time living in another country, and that insecurity quickly grew into an admiration and respect for the country of Guatemala and later Belize.
Our trip was filled with amazing, unique experiences and lessons we couldn’t have done or seen anywhere else. Before this, I have to admit, I never knew anything about either of these countries, their people, heritage, or culture, but I am so grateful to be able to have educated myself and learn about them first-hand. The Maya culture was especially eye-opening; I was so glad to see their culture, which we have seen before through the distorted lens of western media, for what it truly was and how it was still being practiced and kept alive. Of course, all the people from these countries, Maya, Guatemalan, or Belizean, were incredibly humble, kind, and generous, especially all of our homestay families who so graciously took us in as part of their own families.
Late Squad and the incredible, fabulous, loving Doña Ana!
Throughout the trip we took so many excursions and did so many things I never even thought I would ever experience. We toured and climbed up ancient Maya sites, climbed a volcano, experienced first-hand the consequences of volcanic eruptions, learned about the processes of chocolate, coffee, and jade production, saw the work of creating authentic ceramics and cotton clothing, rode through lakes and rivers, made tortillas and pottery, and scuba dived with sharks and sting rays. Lastly, but just as important, I made incredible friends along the way that I know will stay with me beyond this trip.
If that doesn’t convince you to try your hand at studying abroad, I’m not sure what else would! But I do know this, this trip opened my eyes to so many things I didn’t know before, and it will stay with me forever, and I am incredibly glad and grateful that I was able to do it in the first place and have the amazing instructors that I did.
So, to Astrid, Catherine, Mily, and Alex, thank you for all your hard work and dedication and making this program an unforgettable one.