The Na'atik Institute offers an excellent Spanish (and Maya) immersion experience. They have a beautiful, comfortable school building with air conditioning and a terrific library. Their teachers are excellent and the teaching was personally crafted to focus on my goals as a student. I loved staying with and getting to know my Mayan host family. I very much enjoyed the chance to visit the Raxalaj and tortilla making Mayan cultural centers. It was really fun playing games in English and Spanish with the teenage English students from Carrillo. This was my second visit to Na'atik and I plan to go back and begin studying Yucateca Maya. For me, an experience where my investment in a weeklong class supports Na'atik and its staff, my host family, and Na'atik's ability to help local kids go to university by strengthening their English skills is ideal. I also deeply appreciate the chance to spend so much time with Mayans in the school, my host family and the community and to learn about their culture, history, and language.

My three weeks at Na'atik Language & Culture Institute exceeded all expectations. The program's strength lies in its thorough, personalized approach to language education combined with meaningful cultural experiences. [Language Instruction Excellence] My instructor, Pedro, provided outstanding one-on-one teaching. Rather than focusing on vocabulary memorization, he emphasized proper grammar foundations and conjugations, leading to rapid improvement in my comprehension and pronunciation. The 18 hours of weekly instruction, combined with constant practice opportunities, helped me master complex concepts like reflexive verbs and direct/indirect pronouns. His passion for teaching and patience with my learning process made even challenging grammar concepts accessible. [Homestay Experience] I had the pleasure of staying with the Garcia Uicab family, which made this experience truly special. Their warmth, patience with my Spanish learning, and genuine inclusion in family life created an immersive environment that accelerated my language progress. From shared meals to daily conversations, they provided constant opportunities to practice while making me feel genuinely welcomed. [Cultural Programming] The extracurricular activities offered were thoughtfully designed and educational. I enjoyed the Traditional tortilla-making class, embroidery workshop, and guided historical tours, which provided deep insights into local Maya culture and history. Each activity was led by knowledgeable instructors passionate about sharing their heritage. [Staff and Support] The Na'atik coordinators provided excellent support throughout, balancing guidance with independence. Their nonprofit model, which funds English education for local students, adds meaningful purpose to the experience. Highly recommended for serious language learners seeking cultural immersion in a supportive, educational environment!