By Charlotte Morritt-Jacobs - (@morrittjacobs on Twitter)

Mayan Mexican Women Studying Language and Culture at The UofL

Aug 3, 2016 | 9:25 AM

LETHBRIDGE – There may be a slight language barrier, but the smiles of 23 Mexican women on an student exchange with the University of Lethbridge surpass all cultural differences.

Through a government sponsored program, Mayan Mexican women who wish to pursue a master’s degree complete a Homestay student exchange at universities in Canada with a focus on aboriginal education.

Liz Martin, U of L Activity Coordinator at the International Centre, said that organizers had to condense lesson plans, as the women were delayed due to travel visas.

“They are only here for two weeks instead of the typical six weeks. We try to give them as much opportunity as possible to learn about Canadian culture. We went to Waterton Lakes and still have a few more historical sites to see during their stay.”

Bertha Olvera-Lion, exchange participant and law student expressed her satisfaction with the program.

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“Lethbridge is a very nice city and everyone has been very kind. We have never learned about the Indigenous-Canadians before so it is nice that we bring our culture here and bring [Canadian] your culture back to Mexico.”

The students take english classes in the morning and have several guest lectures and day trips in the afternoon where they learn about Blackfoot, Metis and Inuit oral histories.

Sean Warkentine, Homestay Instructor, praised Lethbridge as being a particularly good city for an exchange that is based in Indigenous learning, because the University has always had a wealth of Native elders from the surrounding area.

“It’s always an exciting time for me because the students are so eager to learn about the culture. As Indigenous Women, the students are a minority group in their home country. Through lessons, I hope that they take home some empowerment from Canada’s multiculturalism.”

Warkentine said that the exchange also provides the students with solid opportunities to practice their English vocabulary both on campus and with their host families.

A partnership agreement between the University of Lethbridge partnered with the State of Quintana Roo, Mexico was formed in 2014.

The University will begin looking for host families for more Homestay students this September.