Na'atik is great!

I chose Na'atik for three reasons. First, it was in the Yucatan, which meant it was close to the Mayan ruins. Second, the school was really cool about accepting and arranging to have my entire family at the school (two adults, two children, ages 12 and 10). And third, Na'atik is in a tiny town you have never heard of, which means you will learn TONS of Spanish. Despite my husband's protestations, all four of us did a homestay with a modern Mayan family. This seemed crazy, but turned out to be a highlight. Our boys slept in hammocks and we had all our meals with a family. We met neighbors, and lived like locals, and we loved our family. They probably taught us the most we learned in the week.

Catherine Gray, the founder of the school, and Molly, who corresponds with anyone interested, answered all my endless questions before my arrival, and when we got there we got incedible personal attention. When my son hurt his finger, Catherine took us to the hospital and translated for us. Catherine arranged for my sons to run with a local track team every afternoon. And our two boys, and the two of us, were in classes of two each. We not only learned Spanish, but also learned about local history, and the Mayan resistance. If we had special vocabulary, or certain things we wanted to focus on, that could be arranged. Our teacher was fun and thorough. And the woman who taught my boys (beginners) was creative and fun, teaching them songs, games and making them go shopping in town for fruit--both talking, and tasting.

We were there for one week. I think two weeks would have been perfect.

If you want a unique experience, and to learn Spanish in a town where no one speaks English, this is the program for you!