The Other Side of the Homestay Experience

The core of a Na’atik immersion experience is the homestay element of the program. Students stay with a local family for the duration of their time here in Felipe Carrillo Puerto, giving them an insight into local life and culture, as well as practicing Spanish in real life situations. This organic practice is crucial to achieving conversational fluency, and allows learners to put what they learn in the classroom into action. 

Students eat with their host families, sharing three delicious local meals a day. Shared family meals are a big part of local culture, with lunch time in particular being a focal point of the day. We also find that many of our students choose to spend much of their free time with their host families, whether in casual conversation in the home, or accompanying family members in daily tasks or activities. The experience really is a window into local life, and students often build long term ties with their host families, staying in contact after leaving or even returning to visit.

While the homestay experience gives our students the opportunity to learn about a different culture and way of life, our homestay families also enjoy the opportunity to learn about other people and places. The experience of welcoming foreign students into their homes and lives can be incredibly enriching, if challenging at times.

 This month we spoke with Lupita Perez, one of our long standing host moms, and her family, about how being a homestay family has impacted them.

Why did you choose to become a homestay family?

We started welcoming students about 6 years ago. My friend Sonja, who I have known since I was a little girl suggested that it would be a good idea and that it could help my children with their English as well. At first I was very against the idea, I thought that foreign students would have a very different way of life and I didn’t know how I could make them comfortable. I was particularly worried about food, as I didn’t think that people from places like the United States would want to eat the food we eat, especially at breakfast. Sonja assured me however that the opportunity to eat genuine local food was one of the reasons students wanted a homestay experience.

How much has your family's experience matched your expectations?

It was much easier than I expected. While every student comes from a different background, they are all here to learn about our language and culture. We didn’t really change much about the way we lived, not even our food. The only change in our meals is that we try to offer a lighter breakfast than we might be used to eating, as some students found a very heavy, meaty or spicy breakfast made them tired or have difficulty concentrating in class. We have found that including more seasonal fruits and vegetables makes the experience easier.

Does having students stay create a lot of extra work for you?

Not really. We work together as a family to ensure it is as positive an experience as possible. For example, because I work in the mornings and during the day, we share responsibility for cooking meals. The girls prepare breakfast, their grandmother handles lunch and then I cook in the evening. We all also make sure we spend time with the students, whether that is talking, playing games or showing them around Carrillo.

What is the hardest part of the experience for you?

There is not really a hard part for me, we always enjoy welcoming students.

How do you navigate the language barrier, particularly when students are new to learning Spanish?

We don’t usually have any problems with that. The children speak quite good English from a combination of school, the internet and video games, so if it is really important to communicate something then they can do that. We do try to avoid using English where possible though to avoid detracting from the learning experience, Leo, in particular, is great at ensuring if English is used, he also explains in Spanish so that something can be learned from the interaction.

Have you found any of the customs of foreign students to be surprising or challenging?

Well, we were very surprised by the way some students will leave the bathroom just wearing a towel! We are used to it now, but the first time it happened it was a bit of a shock. In general though we have not found things to be challenging. We are a very open and accepting family, and love to see and hear about the way people live. For example some students have asked us to use gender neutral pronouns for them, which we are more than happy to do although as we are not used to it, it can take a while to adapt to.

Have you hosted students from a lot of different places?

Oh yes, from all over the world. While most students have been from the United States, we have had several students from Europe and even from Japan. 

What do you think attracts people from such a variety of places to visit and study in Felipe Carrillo Puerto.

We think it is a combination of things. Firstly it is a very relaxed and safe place. Here you can explore the town in the evening and go for walks without worrying, and just enjoy the relaxed friendly atmosphere. The other big thing is the unique local culture, with the mix of Mexican and Maya traditions and influences. The food as well of course.

Overall how do you think being a homestay family has impacted you?

It has been very positive. We have met a lot of very interesting and kind people. Some have come back to visit us and many stay in contact with us, having become true friends and a part of the family. We look forward to welcoming many students in future as well!

Thank you to Lupita and her family for taking the time to talk with us, and for always being such amazing hosts!

The best way to experience Mexican culture is by spending time with local families away from tourist resorts. Na’atik offers a unique nonprofit language immersion program, where your Spanish or Maya lessons are augmented by a homestay experience in the town of Felipe Carrillo Puerto. Sharing meals and spare time with local and Indigenous people makes this a not to be missed opportunity to see the authentic Mexico. Every visit helps us to provide life changing educational opportunities to local children. Visit our immersion page or contact us on mas@naatikmexico.org to find out more.