Exploring New Horizons in Mexico: An Overview in Six Words
What an incredible January! After a few days of preparation, The Link School took off to Baja California Sur, Mexico for a trip full of fun, learning, and food. Near the end of the trip, the students gathered around a campfire to write “Six Word Stories,” summing up their experiences. I’ll let their voices punctuate these descriptions.
Todos Santos:
Lots to learn. More to achieve.
-Will
Tacos mixed with deep engaging conversations.
-Vincent
Mouths munching in silence — good food.
-Tara
Our trip began in Todos Santos, where students spent their days in Spanish classes at the beautiful La Quinta Santa Rosa. Split into three levels, the students worked with local Spanish teachers to build their conversational skills and improve their grammar. The afternoons featured surfing, hiking, beach soccer, exploring local spots, and practicing their Spanish with the supportive staff of the hotel.
Isla Espiritu Santo:
Night skies clear as our minds.
-Vincent
Quiet beach broken only by waves.
-Maya
Intricate shells hide curious little introverts.
-Caroline
For week two, we embarked on a kayaking trip around Isla Espiritu Santo, a protected island off the coast from La Paz. Hands-on science classes included snorkeling with sea lions, discovering crabs, rays, and lobsters galore, and discussions around coral bleaching, grassland preservation, and overfishing. We also kicked off English classes with an exploration of literary translation, where we learned about the difficulties of balancing literal accuracy, emotional accuracy, rhyme, and sonic elements of poems when switching languages.
La Duna and Chito’s Ranch:
Work brings thought, thought brings work.
-Will
La Duna service presents unique insight.
-Connor
During the third week, our focus turned to service. At La Duna Ecology Center outside of La Paz, we learned about sea turtles and the dangers posed by overfishing and pollution. On a visit to a local fishermen’s village, students met a lifelong fisherman named Santiago who spoke about the ways he has transitioned his fishing practices with the hope of sustaining the ecosystem for future generations. Students lent a hand to La Duna’s barnacle research, as well as to trash pick-ups that focused both on large debris and microplastics. Upon leaving La Duna, we participated in mangrove clean-up, and then drove to Chito’s Ranch near Todos Santos, where we supported a local sustainable rancher with road, drainage, and landscaping projects.
Wrap-Up
Our final days in Mexico featured exploration of Todos Santos and time for reflection. Here’s what the student had to say:
Someday, I’ll wish this was forever.
-Sonya
Good food. Good friends. Good trip.
-Owen
Try something new, doors will open.
-Hayley
The campfire provides warmth and comfort.
-Duncan
How do we get by? Laughter.
-Will
-Robiny Jamerson, English Teacher
