Meet the 2023 participants of the Ancient and Colonial Heritage in Latin America: Cultural Treasures of the Maya study abroad program!
Hello! My name is Kenia and I am a rising senior triple majoring in Anthropology, Geography, and Sustainability Studies. For my future in academics and profession, I plan to focus on Mesoamerica civilizations, and this study abroad program has been a great opportunity to have firsthand experience in my field! I look forward to all the new places, people, and experiences I will be living during my time in Guatemala and Belize 🙂
Hey! I’m Catherine Davis and I’m a rising senior at UT Austin. I’m a double major in sustainability and sociology studies, with a minor in architectural studies. In the future, I’d like to be involved in environmental design and contribute to the accessibility of eco-friendly living. While in Guatemala and Belize, I will be researching sustainable practices that the ancient Maya used within their architecture and urban planning, and consider their application in modern design. This program perfectly combines my academic interests, as well as my passion for traveling. I’m beyond excited to be exploring and learning about such a beautiful region’s history and environment!
¡Hola! My name is Niyati, and I’m a rising senior at UT Austin. I am majoring in computer science with a minor in art history (focusing on non-western art) and a certificate in Japanese. In my free time, I love weightlifting, thrifting, art, and spending time outside. I’m also involved with the Longhorn Band, so I love to make music and perform with my friends! My three years so far at UT have been fulfilling and shaped me in so many ways, especially after I decided to make my degree more interdisciplinary. Last year, I took a class about Aztec art, and I instantly fell in love with Mesoamerican art and history, and now here I am! Through this program, I am learning so much about the ancient history of the Maya through the lens of their colonial and contemporary legacy. I discovered the Maya’s intense respect and veneration of the environment, something I resonate with because of my love for nature. For the duration of the program, I’m excited to be researching the Maya concept of sacred landscape and how this influenced their architectural constructions.
Howdy! I’m Omar, an aspiring sustainability studies major with a minor in architecture. Born and raised in Austin, I had the unique opportunity to accompany my father on his handyman jobs, where I witnessed his remarkable skill set firsthand. Eventually, I learned the craft as well and we worked together to construct our very own home, igniting my fascination with the world of architecture. After completing high school, I made the decision to join the Navy, seeking personal growth and paving a path toward higher education. However, as the global impact of climate change continues to intensify, I felt compelled to shift my focus toward sustainability studies. My goal is to equip myself with the knowledge and tools necessary to tackle this pressing issue head-on. By merging my passions for architecture and sustainability, I aspire to contribute to the creation of a better environment. Through this program, I am eager to delve into the ancient Maya civilization and explore their resource extraction techniques, as well as the subsequent effects on their surrounding environment.
Hi, Im Varisha, I am a rising senior passionate about art and feminist studies. Im majoring in International Relations, focusing on culture, media, and the arts. My project here in Guatemala is centered around Maya textiles and their fusion/interaction with second-hand clothing coming in from the global north. I’m excited to learn more about Maya culture and issues of local agency within global phenomena.
Hello! My name is Jack Dunn and I am a sustainability studies major with an architectural studies minor going into my senior year here at the University of Texas at Austin. My passions involve architectural design, the implementation of sustainable methods, and urban design. In my free time, I’m either rock climbing or skateboarding. I’m also a part of the UT Rock Climbing Club here at UT.  I’m excited to research the intricate architectural functions and designs used by the Maya in their complexes. Hook ’em Horns!
Hi, My name is Aaron and I’m a rising senior at UT Austin. I’m an IRG major in the Culture, Media, and Arts track, which is why this study abroad program is a great fit for me. I also love traveling and exploring new places, so I’m excited to see both Guatemala and Belize for the first time. For my research, I will be focusing on Maya Jade, specifically the role it played – and continues to play – within Maya social hierarchy. I look forward to everything this program has to offer!
Hi guys! I’m Kat Clauson and I’m a rising senior studying International Relations and Sustainability. Home for me is Atlanta, Georgia but I love being a Longhorn. I chose this program because I felt like the material and excursions would best benefit my interest in sustainability, more specifically becoming an environmental lawyer. I have also always been fascinated with the Maya civilization and the mystery behind its collapse. My research topic for the program is assessing the environmental aspects of the Maya collapse. I chose this because I believe the best way to help the future is by learning from the past, and am beyond excited to share my findings with you all!
Hi! My name is Megan and I am entering my second year at UT this upcoming Fall. I am a double major in Urban Studies and Accounting, and pursuing a certificate in Environment and Sustainability. I’m super excited about our travel in Guatemala and Belize and I’m looking forward to learning more in-depth about Maya culture, the opportunities to witness their practices first-hand, and being with peers who have a similar mindset. I will be looking into how environmental changes and conditions affect and influence the urban design and the adaptations that the Maya incorporated. My hope is to gain a better understanding between environmental change and urban planning to contribute to designing more resilient and sustainable urban development.
Hi, I am Paisley, a rising senior at UT. I am studying Art History and Sociology with a minor in English. Though my interest in Art History concerns modern art I am very excited to learn about pre-columbian Maya art and civilization. I look forward to researching how the tourism market has impacted Maya populations in Guatemala and the role of cultural appropriation in the tourism-based production of goods. Ultimately I hope to gain new perspectives on society and art history through this immersive program!
My name is Jordan, and I am a senior International Relations and Global Studies major with a focus on culture, media, and the arts in Latin America. I also have a French minor and an Indigenous Studies certificate. At UT, my favorite things to study are textile art, museum curation, and contemporary issues of indigeneity and gender. Outside of class, I work as the curriculum lead of the Environmental Justice Collective on campus providing students with resources to integrate environmental and social justice into their studies. On this trip, I am excited to research Maya textile art and its uses in different social, political, and cultural contexts as a way of expressing identity. I also hope to look at when these textiles are considered art as part of a larger discussion on the devaluation of historically feminized work. Overall, I am really looking forward to this program because I finally have the chance to see the things I have been studying in person!
Hi everyone! My name is Kelly and I am a rising senior neuroscience major at the University of Texas at Austin. I am most passionate about working with kids and improving healthcare accessibility. In Guatemala and Belize, I am excited to learn about how the physical and mental health of the Maya are supported and the barriers to accessing care for indigenous communities. This program is uniquely amazing because not only are you immersed in the culture of a new place by living there, but also through the class you get to learn more about the community, deepening your appreciation of studying abroad in Guatemala and Belize. I can’t wait to learn and experience more!
Hey there! I reckon it is time to introduce myself. My name is Ava and I have a sustainability major with a minor in Anthropology. I wouldn’t say that I have a background in Mesoamerican [not at all a bad thing], therefore, I see this experience as an opportunity to put my feet into other people’s shoes. I love learning about the interactions between humans and nature, and it is interesting to see how those principles show up throughout the Maya region. There are so many new perspectives, and I am excited to see where my head will be by the end of this trip.
Hello! My name is Alexis Ikemba, and I am very excited to be on this May Term Guatemala/Belize trip! I decided to go on this trip because I am interested in Mayan art and art history, specifically issues regarding repatriation. Right now, I am about to be a Sophomore and am a Studio Art major with a minor/certificate in Law, Justice, and Society, Core Texts, and soon I will add Art Management. I have always loved art, which is why I chose Studio Art, and more recently I developed an interest in government and law as I realized I could make an impact on issues I was passionate about through these fields. In college, I discovered how much I enjoyed being immersed in the art world as a studio art major. Soon enough, I realized my passions converged in art law, and now I plan to attend law school and work on repatriation and/or art law with smaller modern galleries. Anyways, I realized I could use my study abroad trip to Guatemala and Belize to pursue this interest and study the art market, specifically art looting and trafficking. So far I’m loving the trip and hope to discover more interesting aspects of the Mayan art market in my research!
Hail and well-met travelers! My name is Katey Schumann and I’m the TA for the 2023 edition of this May Term program. I’m a Ph. D. Candidate at UT Austin focused on the art and history of Mesoamerica, specifically Oaxaca, Mexico. My current research concerns conditions of visibility in Zapotec funerary art.