Day: July 7, 2022

Seeing the waterfall was one of my many highlights from the Maymester! It was the first waterfall I had ever seen, and it absolutely took my breath away! After taking pictures and marveling at the site, I could not believe we were not supposed to stop there. However, I am ever so glad we did. By seeing it, I feel like I could better grasp how the Maya see their environment as animate. It was a multi-sensorial experience. I could see the enormous downpour, hear the whooshes of the water, and feel the mist when I stepped closer. Being so close to it, I was reminded not only of nature’s enormities but also of the world’s. However, our group standing alongside others who stopped to marvel at the water felt like we were all a community. Additionally, it reinvigorated my desire to protect the land from corporations or others who mine it or seek to commit similar acts. It reminded me of what Dolores and Kawoq said about mountains either having a heart or being like family and I could feel that same strong energy radiating from the area. Looking back, it is nice to see the beautiful waterfall as a metaphor. Even though we may have driven down a few windy roads, there was something spectacular just around the corner!

Whenever people talk about how their semester-long study abroad has changed their perspective, I find it a little hard to believe. Yet our month abroad in Guatemala and Belize has changed more than just my perspective, it truly changed my life. From my lovely homestay mom who showed my whole group nothing but generosity and genuine kindness, to the beauty of nature I got to see every day on my way to Casa Herrera. I don’t think many people can say that they saw volcanoes on the way to class! Also, learning about the resilience of the Maya community was inspiring, and this whole trip really made me question a lot of aspects of travelling and tourism that I hadn’t really thought of before. It was hard to just pick one picture for this trip, but I had to go with an image of volcanoes from Lake Atitlan. This image was taken on a rainy evening walk, where a classmate and I got to watch the sunset beautifully like we had never seen it before. Pictures don’t do this scenic view justice, and the actual moment will remain engrained in my memories. Memories made with new friends, experiencing new things. This trip has given me a newfound appreciation for life that I will carry with me for years to come. 

 

https://flic.kr/p/2nuZshv

 

The biggest part of my study abroad experience that I underestimated was the meaningful friendships I would make along the way. There is something about being totally immersed into a different culture that has the ability to connect students on such a deep and mature level that is not possible in a traditional classroom or university setting. Before I went on this Maymester, I had no idea who I would connect with or what kind of relationships I would form with my peers. However within the first few days, I already knew that I was on a trip with people I will be friends with for a lifetime.

In my picture, Joelle and I are doing a handstand in front of the Jaguar temple at Tikal National Park. Joelle was such a special person to me along with so many others that always offered support, advice, and plenty of laughs. While there were many obstacles during our trip, I can honestly say that the love everyone had for each other and optimism to push through exceeded any difficulty that a study abroad experience can have.

Overall, I am so grateful to have had this type of once in a lifetime experience. Study abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone in a level you can never prepare for, and with it comes so much growth, memories, and meaningful relationships that I will always cherish.

• Brooke Betts