2022 PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS

Aloe, how are you? I am Ariana, and I’m an International Relations and Global Studies major at the University of Texas at Austin. My passion lies in anything related to plants, and I am currently studying medicinal plant uses. Furthermore, my free time consists of getting dirt under my nails, foraging for mushrooms in Austin, and tending to my garden. During this trip, I am excited to study the future use of medicinal plants in Maya rituals and how social, political, and economic issues impact their future uses. Don’t forget to always be-leaf in yourself!

 

 

 

¡Hola! My name is Ashlee, and I am a rising senior Environmental Science major with a track focus on biology. For my entire college career thus far, I have worked on a research project studying how urbanization impacts stream ecology, specifically productivity in creeks around Austin. I love studying ecology, but I also love nature and am interested in human-environment relationships. I’m very excited to be on this Maymester trip to learn about the art and culture of the Maya and the diverse ecosystems of Guatemala and Belize. Aside from academics, I am a member of the Longhorn Powerlifting team and have been lifting weights since my freshman year of high school.

 

 

Howdy, y’all! My name is Caitlin, and I will begin my third year at UT in the fall. I am an Art History major with minors in Arts Administration and History and pushing for a certificate in Museum Studies. For fun, I direct plays, and it has created an interest in me to see how leadership roles, such as directing, have an impact beyond the people they work with. While in Guatemala, I will investigate the various impacts of private museums versus the National Museum in Guatemala City, a public institution. Museums have always been of interest to me, so I am thankful to be here in Guatemala, experiencing various collections and learning from them firsthand.

 

¡Hola! My name is Shaina. I am a senior at the University of Texas at Austin, completing a double major in Geography and Sustainability and a minor in Philosophy. I am very excited to have the opportunity to participate in a Maymester in Guatemala and Belize, to practice my Spanish and further educate myself on the history and culture of the resilient Maya people.

This is a unique opportunity that affords me the chance to conduct research on a sustainability issue facing the Maya people. This will allow me to complete my capstone project for my Sustainability major. My project is focused on agricultural management and resilience for Maya subsistence farmers amidst climate change. I am taking a comparative approach to my research, comparing Ancient Maya agriculture techniques and challenges to modern-day approaches and issues.

Ultimately, I hope my research can help inspire others to investigate our food systems’ complex and fragile nature. I also hope to incentivize greater empathy for the challenges Maya subsistence farmers face, many of whom may become climate refugees in the coming years. Once I graduate from UT in the fall of 2022, I will be studying for the LSAT since I aspire to become an environmental lawyer.

 

Howdy! My name is Michelle (they/them), and I graduated this May with a BSA in Mathematics. I completed the Elements of Computing certificate and pursued a minor in Art History focusing on Mesoamerican art. I’m super excited to be studying abroad in Guatemala and Belize to continue learning about Maya art and culture and working on my research project. My interests include Maya mathematics, Mayan writing systems, and Maya/Mayan perception of gender. During my time here, I will be researching Maya textile traditions from ancient to contemporary times, exploring the effects of colonization, Christianity, and tourism on textile making. This is my last class with UT, so I am excited to make the most of it. 🙂

 

 

Hello! My name is Wyatt, and I am a junior Sustainability Studies and Geography double major focusing on natural resource management. I came to UT as a math major but realized shortly after arriving at college that math was not my passion, and studying the earth and how to protect it was what I needed to be doing! The state of the environment is horrifying to me, and I would love to do all I can to preserve the natural world around me! I am super excited to be here in this program and have learned so much from my time here. I can’t wait to see all the other things we have in store!

 

Hello 😀

My name is Mizuki, and I’m majoring in Sustainability Studies and Government while also pursuing a certificate in Business and Public Policy.

I’m interested in studying how people across the world have resisted and adapted to changes, finding communities in the wave of colonialism, imperialism, neo-liberalism, and other global forces. As part of my Sustainability Studies capstone, I will be researching the commodification of Maya people under global capitalism. As an outsider visiting Guatemala, I intend to critically examine the tourism industry to be a responsible visitor myself. I hope to do so by observing how travel agencies catered to westerners commodify Maya culture and the ways Maya activists have resisted such commodifications. I’m excited about this research and am looking forward to sharing this trip!

 

Howdy! I’m Tess, built-in Maryland but bonded to Texas. I am a fourth-year Plan II honors and Mathematics double major, and I’m pursuing a minor in Architecture. I’m super excited to be here in Guatemala studying the Maya! I am incorporating what I learn on this trip into my Plan II thesis on Maya math while also practicing Spanish as much as I can. I enjoy playing chess and thrift shopping for fun, but since being here, I’ve taken every opportunity I can to learn how to dance Salsa and Bachata. I feel fortunate to be conducting research abroad, experiencing Guatemalan culture, and learning about the Maya here and in Belize.

 

Hi! My name is Natalie, and I am a rising senior majoring in Art History and Anthropology. During this program, I will be researching recurring themes in Maya artwork, specifically the concept of rebirth and renewal. The earliest example of this scene is from the San Bartolo murals in El Péten, showing the Maize god being reborn from a snapping turtle. There are many more examples like this, and I plan on using artworks from different regions and periods to analyze rebirthing scenes. Using my research about ancient artwork, I can compare religion and art in Guatemala that remain consistent with today’s themes. I also plan on practicing my Spanish with my classmates and homestay family as much as possible. I am very excited to be a part of this program and experience Guatemala and Belize!

 

Hi, my name is Zoe! I am an incoming senior studying Sustainability Studies and minoring in Interior Design. After graduation, I plan to earn a Master’s degree in Interior Design to become an interior designer. Considering my educational background, I hope to make interior design sustainable. While studying abroad, I am researching sustainable and unsustainable aspects of lime plaster in Maya architecture since the Maya heavily used this material. I am looking into why lime plaster is eco-friendly and how it can contribute to the longevity of a building.

 

 

Hello! Howdy! Ahoy! Greetings and salutations! Hola!

My name is Thomas, and I just graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History with an Elements of Computing certificate. During my time at UT Austin, I conducted four research projects, with this Maymester involving my fifth, all over various topics but primarily focusing on art-historical topics. I have always loved art of all kinds, mythology, and history. So this trip to study the culture of the Maya from ancient to contemporary times was a perfect opportunity to satisfy all my interests. I was also involved in Texas Ballroom, UT Austin’s premier dancesport organization, where I was a member of the fundraising team, social committee, and one of the heads of the subgroups to help involve the newer members.

 

Hello! I’m Jasmine, a rising senior in the College of Liberal Arts with a double major in Sustainability Studies and Geography and a minor in French Studies. Embarking on a study abroad experience was one of my most anticipated college experiences, so I’m elated to be here in Antigua! During the next four weeks, I plan to study and compare the environmental ideologies of the ancient Maya and the West to analyze their influences on the different urban development styles of the two civilizations. I’m already a world traveler who has briefly visited Belize, but I’m excited to visit Guatemala for the first time and deeply immerse myself in the cultures of both countries. Every morning I wake up and watch the frequent eruptions of Volcán de Fuego, one of Guatemala’s most active volcanoes, and I can’t wait to see what other adventures and experiences this trip holds!

 

Hi! I’m Valerie, and I am an upcoming senior at UT Austin! My major is International Relations and Global Studies, and I am minoring in Geography. Alongside, I am getting certificates in Business Spanish and Social Inequality, Health, and Policy through the Bridging Disciplines Program. I am very excited to be here in Guatemala and then in Belize! My research project will focus on current land rights for the Maya and how the past has facilitated their current conditions. I am also interested in bettering my Spanish and learning more about the city!

 

 

 

Hello to whoever may be reading this, my name is Ana. I’m a first-generation college student majoring in International Relations with a minor in Art History, graduating in Fall 2022! My project is centered on researching the role of traditional medicine practitioners and spiritual guides in contemporary Maya society. This includes practices such as bone-setting, midwifery, and day-keeping. I’ve been surrounded by many forms of traditional medicine throughout my entire life, so I am very excited to see the ways in which it continues to be resilient in Guatemala.

 

 

 

Hi! I’m Courtney, and I’m currently studying abroad in Guatemala and Belize to receive credit for my degrees. I just finished my third year at UT while pursuing degrees in sustainability and IRG, along with two minors in government and French. I’m also a part of Texas Horizons, a student organization at UT dedicated to building friendships and giving back to the local community. This is my first time in Guatemala, and I’m so excited to be here with other students from UT to learn about the Maya. My sustainability capstone project consists of looking into how the Maya designed their cities according to the environment, the effect, and whether these ideas can be applied to contemporary cities to reduce human impact on the environment.

 

Hey there! My name is Rachel, and I am double majoring in Sustainability Studies and Geography at The University of Texas at Austin. I am excited to be attending this 2022 Maymester studying Maya art and architecture in Guatemala and Belize. This is the final requirement before I officially graduate with a Bachelor of Arts. I aim to connect the physical and cultural geography of the area through my research of Maya spiritual beliefs and ritual practices influenced by natural landscapes. Personally, I am a lover of nature, and I am inspired by the connection the Maya share with the land.

I look forward to experiencing the locations firsthand that I have been studying. Improving my Spanish is another goal of mine while abroad. It is my first time visiting this region, and I have enjoyed traveling around it so far, though I can’t wait to see more of it!

 

Hello! I am Sophie, and I’m a studio art and advertising double major and an incoming junior. Learning about different cultures and countries has always interested me, and I am really excited to learn as much as possible about Belize and Guatemala. In my spare time, I love rock climbing, taking walks, and reading; and I always love geeking out about anything that has to do with photography.

 

 

 

 

Hello! My name is Joelle, and I just graduated from UT with a degree in Government and a certificate in Applied Statistical Modeling. Throughout this Maymester, I will be completing my Sustainability degree with the capstone requirement and finishing up my Geography degree. My research will focus on water accessibility in ancient and contemporary Maya communities. Contemporary sustainability issues regarding water conservation and access are much different from those of the past. Still, both periods of adaptation, sociopolitical structure, and environmental challenges have nuances that can help to inform one another. This topic is one that I find very important because while it, by nature, emphasizes environmental sustainability, it equally prioritizes the necessity of indigenous empowerment in accessibility to their natural environment and resources, particularly water: the source of life.

 

Hi, my name is Deanna, and I am a rising senior. I’m pursuing a degree in Government with a Business- Real Estate minor. I am interested in studying the existence of West African culture in both Guatemala and Belize. I hope to gain a greater understanding of how people fight to preserve their culture and the ways that colonialism can impact this fight.

 

 

 

 

Hola todos! My name is Daniela, and I am a rising senior at UT Austin, double majoring in sustainability studies and Latin American studies. After two previous failed attempts at studying abroad due to Covid, I am so incredibly excited to be here in Guatemala! I am passionate about environmental racism and social justice, and I am excited to tie these passions into my sustainability capstone project on land rights and environmental activism. So far, being in Antigua has been surreal, and I have had such an amazing experience already.

I am looking forward to the rest of my time here in Guatemala and Belize, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in the Spanish language and Maya culture fully!

 

¡Hola!

My name is Brooke, and I will be a senior this next year at the University of Texas at Austin! I major in Government and Spanish, and I will be applying to law school this fall. I am a yoga instructor, love riding horses, and enjoy cooking with friends and family. I think having the opportunity to travel and experience another culture is so important to connect with different types of people. In this Maymester session, I am doing a project on the ancient political structure of the Maya. I’ll be focusing on the role of gods and their influence on the formation and maintenance of their government systems. I will also analyze the destruction of this system through collapses and compare it to Guatemala’s contemporary government. I am very interested in the lack of representation of the indigenous community in government today despite it being the majority of Guatemala. I am looking forward to an amazing educational experience here in Guatemala and Belize!

 

Hi, y’all! I’m Iris, and I’m a fourth-year Government, Sustainability Studies, and Geography major focusing on natural resource management and GIS. I’m interested in public policy, the built environment, and how the two impact plants, animals, and—most of all—people. I’m excited to see how these issues are approached in Guatemala, a country that grapples with several landscape and climate issues, as well as socioeconomic and sociopolitical concerns.

 

 

 

Hi, my name is Lizet, and I am a double major in Plan II and International Relations & Global Studies. This is my first time out of the United States to a country other than Mexico. During my time studying abroad in Antigua, Guatemala, and Belize, I will be researching Maya religious practices in different environments. I chose this topic because of my strong connection to faith growing up, so I wanted to explore how the geographic location of Guatemala and Belize affect religion. I am looking forward to seeing how different this region is geographically and learning more about the indigenous communities located in this area.

Fun fact: I have 8 dogs back home.