Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and
The Maya Experience,
December 28, 2006 - January 10, 2007

Edinboro students travel to Yucatan Peninsula
"Cultural Experience Leaves Lasting Impression"

Sitting in classes over winter break is not every student's idea of fun, but for a class of 20 Edinboro University students this was not the case.

This class led by three Edinboro University professors, returned January 10 from a two week winter class called the "Maya Experience," which was held on the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. The class was opened to Edinboro students and included not only students from history, anthropology, and Spanish majors, but also Latin American studies, photography, English, and more for a total of 12 different majors. The students learned about today's Mayan culture and the culture's history through classes, field trips, quizzes, and homework assignments.

Before leaving for the class, the students were asked to read select chapters in their two required textbooks and write two short essays on the Mayan people using scholarly articles as references. The students were warned that this class was not a vacation, and that the key word was "study" in study abroad.

"It was hard work, harder than a regular course," said Dr. Jerra Jenrette, chair of the history and anthropology department. Jenrette explained that this course, unlike any course during a semester, was class all day long every day for two weeks. Jenrette, along with Dr. Wolynec, anthropology professor; and Amanda Frantz-Mamani, Spanish instructor, organized the course after Jenrette returned from her sabbatical in the Yucatan in spring of 2005.

"It was rewarding to see the students taken in by the culture," Jenrette said.

"I really enjoyed the trip," said Victoria Gauna, a senior majoring in secondary English, and minoring in Spanish. "It was like living in a dual world where you got to see the reflection of the past and the present."

Gauna said that the trip sparked her curiosity, and she wants to learn more about the Mayans. She also mentioned that she met nice people such as Babalu. On the night they arrived in Merida, Gauna and Jessica Wilson met Babalu at his stand, where he was making and selling jewelry.

"Jessica and I made a habit of visiting him each night just to talk to him and he was really kind," Gauna said.

She went on to explain that there were many cultural exchanges between them.

Babalu was learning English from Gauna and Wilson, while they were learning Spanish.

"He became really protective of us. We became really close," Gauna said.

The students took field trips to the Mayan ruins in the Yucatan Peninsula including major sites like Uxmal, Izamal, and Chichen Itza. They also visited hacienda Yaxcopoil, a history and anthropology Museum, and other locations of importance to the Mayan culture in Merida.

"I really liked Uxmal." Gauna said. "I think I liked that one the most because there were a lot of people around but it was still secluded. The architecture is really beautiful. I like the pucc style and the ornate tops and the simple facade." Fellow student Rehema Barnett also enjoyed Uxmal best out of all the sites because it was not as popular as Chichen Itza. Barnett also liked the fact that the layout of Uxmal was carefully planned and every building had a meaning. "The nunnery quadrangle has so many aspects to its set up," Barnett said. "Each building had a story. You entered the quadrangle from the south which stood for the underworld."

The students not only went on field trips, but they also attended class either in their hotel or in Universidad Autonomia de Yucatan, the local university in Merida.

"The reason why I went was for culture. I went to see how people act in a different environment," Barnett said.

Jewel Bell, a secondary education Spanish major said, "I liked speaking Spanish and getting to know someone from another culture. I also liked holding conversations (in Spanish) for long periods of time."

Bell had the opportunity to interact with a middle class family that she met at an event called "Serenata Yucateca." Bell and her classmates were required to attend the dance as part of their cultural experience. About the people she met, Bell said, "They meet you, take you and your friend around town, and take you out to eat."

For students interested in spending a semester abroad, there is now a foreign exchange opportunity with UADY in Merida. Please contact Linda Kightlinger at (lkightlinger@edinboro.edu) at the Adult and International Student Services Office at 732-2770 or Dr. Jerra Jenrette at (jjenrette@edinboro.edu), History and Anthropology Department.

Contributing writer, Ms. Rashelle Carey. Also appeared in The Spectator, January 26 issue.

The beginning of their adventure, The Maya Experience	The entrance of the El Caribe Hotel
One of the many town squares	Serenatas Yucatecas, a traditional and long-running musical and dancing activity in the Santa Lucia Plaza in the evening
The Autonomous University of Yucatan (Merida, Mexico)	Class at UADY
Ms. Garbriela Quintal, Director of International Exchange Programs		UADY Study Abroad Students
Tour of Izamal		Carriage rides
The streets of Merida	Welcome sign at the home of mexican family for our study abroad group	Raul Alayola Rosas and Ana Rosa Alonzo Ruiz
	Kinich Kak-Moo Archaeological Site	The class reaching the top of the pyramid
Chichen Itza	Group shot of the class	The Great Ball Court at Chichen Itza
Another view of Chichen Itza	Another group picture	Class discussion with guide
Tzompantli or Platform of Skulls, a platform used to display the skulls of enemy warriors defeated in battle as well as the heads of sacrificed victims		The Holy Cenote
	The Nunnery believed to be housing for the elite Mayans	The ruins of the observatorium
Chac-Mool, a figure at the entrance of the Temple of the Warriors	Downtown Merida, City Museum, Cathedral	Dzibilchaltun Museum, Mayan ruin between Merida and Progresso
		Lunch at Izamal, Kinish Restaurant
		The scenery of Merida

lpp 2/2007