Mexican Culture Immersion 10

Project: After many years of successful experience teaching Spanish and Mexican culture to
volunteers and students, Natate, together with La Casa en el Arbol Language School, have developed a
comprehensive “Mexican Culture Immersion” program for volunteers. This program provides a great
opportunity for volunteers to learn or improve their Spanish skills whilst engaging in a wide variety of
activities, interacting with native people, visiting important sites, appreciating local flavours, and
discovering the fascinating Mexican culture.
The engaging dynamic, friendly atmosphere, and conversational approach to language learning make
our classes enjoyable and effective. Our qualified and experienced teachers, many of whom are
previous Natate volunteers, are eager to teach participants about the local culture as well as the
language.
A wide range of study materials are used in classes and are included in the cost of the program.
Additionally, volunteers will be assigned a small amount of manageable homework every class.
Our Spanish courses are tailored to students of all language levels, from absolute beginners to
advanced speakers. Teacher rotation is also important to us, as volunteers will become accustomed to
speaking with people who have different accents, voices, pronunciation, vocabulary, and points of
view, as may be encountered in the Spanish-speaking world.
Cultural activities are an integral part of our teaching philosophy. We will give you a well-rounded
education of both language and culture. Walking tours and visits to important sites and natural areas
will be included in the program.
Work:
The Mexican Culture Immersion program in detail:
· 3 hours per day of group classes, Monday thru Friday.
· Cultural activities such as Cafe idiomas (informal language exchange), Mexican documentary
screenings, and conferences held to gain an understanding of the cultural, political and socioeconomic
diversity of Mexico.
· Mexican cooking classes and weaving classes taught by indigenous women, for whom the craft
is an ancient tradition and a form of mastery, from the village of Zinacantan.
· Outdoor activities such as permaculture workshops, bird watching at the Huitepec cloud
forest, hiking and biking to see the Mayan archaeological ruins of Moxviquil, etc.
· Guided visits to the Coffee Museum, Cacao Museum, Jade Museum, Traditional Chiapas-
Mayan Costumes Museum, Na Bolom, Paper Workshop Museum and the Mayan Medicine
Museum, etc.
· Guided tours of San Cristobal and the surrounding Mayan villages.
· Week-end excursions to Mayan archaeological sites and beautiful natural areas such as huge
waterfalls, emerald lagoons, the Lacandon jungle, and Pacific Ocean beaches, where, from
August to November, participants may visit Natate's workcamp sites to see hatching baby sea
turtles.
After completing the course, you will receive a certificate from La Casa en el Arbol indicating the
language level that you have achieved.
Accommodation: Volunteers will stay in shared rooms in a convivial youth hostel in San Cristobal de
las Casas, located five minutes walking distance from the Natate office and ten minutes from the
historic city centre. They will have access to all basic facilities, including eco-kitchen and ecobathrooms.
Be prepared for hand washing your own clothes (or send them to a laundry). Try to be
environmentally friendly as possible and use resources with care and modesty, especially because your
behaviour is part of the project ;)
Terminal: The closest international airport: Angel Albino Corzo, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas (TGZ). Bus
Terminal: OCC San Cristobal de las Casas.
Location: San Cristobal de las Casas, Chiapas, Mexico. This charming town is one of those places you
can't miss while travelling through Mexico. Set in the pine-forested Jovel Valley at 2,200 meters, yet
still at tropical latitudes, the weather is usually mild and pleasant. San Cristobal’s atmosphere is a
mixture of both traditional Highland Mayan culture and cosmopolitanism within a colorful and lively
colonial town. The combination of kaleidoscopic indigenous costumes and crafts, authentic Mexican
flavour, and modern international bohemianism give the town a fresh and vibrant atmosphere.
Bustling open-air markets, thriving pedestrian avenues, shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, and
nightclubs abound. The nightlife is excellent and there are many popular festivals throughout the year.
San Cristobal is centrally located in the Mexican state of Chiapas, which is one of the most biodiverse
regions in the world. It is a strategic point from which to explore waterfalls, white-water rivers,
lagoons, mangroves, tropical jungles, deep canyons, ancient Mayan ruins, and magnificent Pacific coast
beaches, all within a half-day’s travel. Guatemala is also a few hours away. Volunteers will have a
wealth of opportunities to discover and experience this natural and cultural richness.
Extra-fee: Since we do not receive funds to support your participation in the camp, you are asked to
contribute 4,900 Mexican pesos (285 euros aprox.) It includes accommodation, food, administrative
costs, transportation within the project, and some extra activities. The fee has to be paid by volunteers
to campleader or to Natate’s Workcamps Coordinator upon arrival to the meeting point.