As someone who has never left the country, studying abroad was initially daunting. However, even though my time in the program was cut short, I truly believe that this experience was extremely enriching and I am thankful for the opportunity.
One motif I noticed during my time in the Guatemala and Belize Maymester is how old customs, structures, and practices can mix with modernity. In my area of Texas I have almost no exposure to things or activities with origins that span over 100 years. However, from the colonial cobble stone streets in Antigua to the customary handmade textiles that many Maya people wear throughout Guatemala, the past and the present are more united in the region than I have ever experienced before.
One perfect example of this was Tikal. Tikal was once a thriving ancient city and is now both a symbol of antiquity and a keystone of culture in Guatemala. There are no longer people that live in Tikal, however, its cultural significance has been repurposed to be powerful and spiritual in an alternative way. People still go to Tikal to pray and people still see Tikal as important; Temple IV is even on the Guatemalan currency. The past is still relevant and has become intertwined with the present.
My language barrier in Guatemala also added another dimension to the program. I have a rudimentary understanding of Spanish, and there were times where I was unable to fully understand what people were saying to me. However, instead of being a burden or daunting, these instances were motivation to me. I will always be an outsider in Guatemala, but language understanding is something that people can control with study and practice. After being in these situations I was able to reaffirm my desires to share this language with the people that speak it.
Photo taken at Tikal on June 14, 2022.