Students in the program live with Yucatan families and enjoy family parties, good home Yucatan cooking, friendship and security and in this way, learn the language through daily life. The families are selected with care to match students' scholarly and personal interest, and have had many years experience with the program. Families provide private room and board (three meals a day). Although we encourage all students to stay with families, students with children or older students can have the options of renting an apartment or finding other housing. The friendships developed through this interchange last long after the program is over. Students regularly return to visit their new "families" in the Yucatan and have universal praise for this part of the program.
For more information on living with your "New Family" click here.
Entertainment
There is plenty to do in Yucatan. Merida is a large city that offers all kinds of entertainment. There are several movie theaters downtown and a number of night spots where you can catch local musical talent or dance to the latest releases. Nearly every night of the week there will be free dance and music performances. There are also several museums and a large downtown market where you can shop for gifts. Tourist gift shops also abound in the downtown area. Yucatan hammocks are some of the best in the world and embroidered blouses and dresses make great presents. Vendors from Chiapas sell their wares at night in front of the Hotel Caribe (Calles 59 x 60). A tip on buying - watch locals make purchases and get a good idea of prices before negotiating.
On Sundays the streets of downtown Merida are closed to automobile traffic and transformed into walkways. Merchants sell their wares and musical groups perform in the "zocalo" and in small parks along Calle 60. This weekly celebration is called "Merida en Domingo." One can usually find jewelry, coins, antiques, clothing, baskets, cassette tapes and other items for sale. Sometimes there are performances by dancers or musical groups. There are numerous places to visit throughout the peninsula, many of which you will see on our weekend excursions. Archaeological sites such as Uxmal, Chichen-Itza, Labna, and Mayapan are all reasonably close to the city. Farther away, sites like Coba and Tulum are on our travel itinerary. The beaches at Progreso are less than an hour bus ride north of Merida. The best snorkeling is found along the east coast (Caribbean) beaches and around the offshore islands (Cozumel and Isla Mujeres). Small towns outside the city (e.g. Tikul) offer the visitor an authentic experience in modern-day Yucatec living. West of Merida, the beaches near Celestun offer swimming and flamingos are often seen in the wetlands along the coast. Some of the best bird watching is found along the north coast, near Rio Lagartos. All in all, there's plenty to do and if you take advantage of just a few of the possibilities, you will have a fun and memorable trip.
Safety
Merida is a very safe city. You can walk around the downtown area at any hour, day or night. Nevertheless, you should take some basic precautions. Do not wander about at night on your own. Go out in groups. Your families will look out for you and may send a family member along with you on nighttime outings. Women accompanied by a male family member will not be subjected to unwanted attention that might otherwise be directed their way. As you would at home, use your judgement when you meet strangers on the street or in clubs and discos. Do not accept invitations to go to private parties - you might find yourself taken to a cheap motel room. Better to exchange phone numbers and arrange a daytime rendezvous elsewhere with friends along.
