Gleason, Greenfield Students Visit Mayan Ruins with Bethel University Global Studies

YUCATAN, Mexico — Four high school students from Gleason and Greenfield were immersed in historic Mayan and Mexican culture during their fall break when they traveled with Bethel University Global Studies.

Professor Stacie Freeman, Director of Bethel’s Global Studies, said “I am proud of these Gleason and Greenfield high school students who said yes to stepping out of their zip codes and into Mexico’s beautiful landscape, history, and culture. These young men (our first ever all-male student group) represented themselves, their families, schools, communities, and country so very well!”

The journey began in August when they enrolled in an online Bethel University Dual Enrollment course, studying Maya history and culture. Their capstone project wasn’t a paper or test, it was an actual journey to Mexico over fall break. The students were both eligible for scholarships to help pay their pay and three hours of transferrable college credit from Bethel University. One student received a scholarship to help pay his way. Additionally, they shared an adventure of a lifetime.

Once on the ground, online lessons leapt off the screen. They climbed ancient Maya ruins at Ek’ Balam and explored Chichén Itzá, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. They swam in the region’s mysterious cenotes - freshwater sinkholes - that were formed when a meteor struck earth 66 million years ago, ending the age of the dinosaurs and shaping the landscape of the Yucatán. The group’s favorite cenote was Xux Ha near Valladolid. The cenotes were once considered a sacred gateway for the Mayan civilization.

They patted out tortillas, made tamales, and cooked chicken in a traditional Pib oven, learned to weave hammocks from local artisans, many of whom were ancestral Mayans.

The students also explored the vibrant Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve, home to pink flamingos and red-tinted waters colored by naturally occurring elements. The red water at Ría Celestún comes from salt-tolerant bacteria that help sustain flamingos and other wildlife.

From museum tours, visits to Mayan pyramids, preparing food in tiny villages provided a unique education each day.. They enjoyed a day of fun at the beach to cap the week-long adventure in the Yucatán Penisula.

Pablo Martinez with Etnica Travel, was the professional tour leader for the week. Pablo specializes in tours of the Yucatán and Guatemala.

The students were accompanied by their high school Spanish teacher, Jonathan Shepherd and their college dual enrollment professor, Stacie Freeman. Four other adult community members accompanied the group.