Faculty-led trip to Mexico
May 06, 2025
This spring break, Dr. Joyce LaOrden, Spanish instructor II and Muriel Reyes, instructional technology manager, led a study abroad trip of 12 students to Campeche, Mexico. As part of the course “Study Abroad Campeche, Mexico,” students participated in a one-week homestay in Campeche.
The trip to Campeche is part of FGCU’s partnership with Instituto Campechano, which began in 2023 and creates the opportunity for both institutions to foster cultural exchange and enrich learning.
Prior to the trip, Dr. LaOrden prepared students for their visit to Mexico with lectures on the culture and history of Campeche. Each student was paired with a host family and connected with them via Skype or WhatsApp for the first seven weeks of the course, allowing them to feel comfortable upon arrival.
FGCU students, co-trip leader Muriel Reyes and students from Instituto Campechano take a tour of Edzná, a Mayan archaeological site.
Once the students arrived in Campeche, they visited historical Mayan cultural sites, learned about Mayan culture and history, its integration into modern-day life and became fully immersed in the local culture.
Students enjoyed traditional food, participated in cooking classes, volunteered at an orphanage, engaged in recreational activities, took a traditional dance class, learned the Yucatec Maya language and explored Mayan practices.
By the end of the course, students created individual "digital stories" with reflections of their experiences and learnings.
Local artisans weave traditional jipijapa sombreros inside a cave in Bécal, where the cooler environment helps with the crafting process.
