What does it really mean to spend eight weeks immersing yourself in another country?
For EIL Explore Scholarship winner Nirzaara, it meant learning Spanish in Oaxaca, living with local host families, volunteering with children, supporting sea turtle conservation and experiencing Mexican life and culture far beyond the usual tourist trail.
From language lessons and new friendships to community volunteering and conservation work on Mexico’s Pacific coast, Nirzaara’s Explore experience was an opportunity to see a different part of the world – and become part of it.
Starting the journey in Oaxaca
Nirzaara began her eight-week adventure in Oaxaca, one of Mexico’s most culturally rich regions.
For her first two weeks, she studied Spanish at Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, giving her the opportunity to develop her language skills and build confidence communicating in Spanish.
But the learning didn’t stop when lessons finished for the day.
Living with a local host family meant Nirzaara could experience everyday life in Mexico first-hand, practise her Spanish in a natural setting and gain an insight into local culture that simply wouldn’t be possible from a hotel or short visit.
During her time in Oaxaca, she also met people from around the world, making new connections while discovering the food, traditions, history and daily rhythms of the region.
Becoming part of the community in Barra de Potosí
After Oaxaca, the next chapter of Nirzaara’s Explore experience took her to Barra de Potosí, Zihuatanejo, on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Here, she stayed with another host family and became involved in local community life.
Nirzaara volunteered at a kindergarten, spending time with local children and getting the chance to contribute to the community she was living in. It was another opportunity to use her growing Spanish skills while forming connections with the people around her.
Her experience also took her to the coast, where she worked at a sea turtle conservation camp alongside local people and scientists.
The project gave Nirzaara the chance to experience conservation work first-hand and learn more about efforts to protect Mexico’s marine environment and its sea turtle populations.
From the classroom in Oaxaca to a conservation project on the Pacific coast, every stage of the journey offered a different way to learn.
More than simply travelling
EIL’s Explore programme is designed for young people who want to go beyond simply visiting another country.
Over eight weeks, participants have the opportunity to live locally, improve their Spanish and get involved in meaningful community or environmental projects.
The programme includes host-family accommodation, two weeks of Spanish lessons and in-country support, creating an experience that combines language learning, cultural immersion and hands-on participation.
Living with host families is an especially important part of that experience. Rather than observing daily life from the outside, participants have the opportunity to become part of a household, share meals and conversations, practise their language skills and experience a different culture on a much more personal level.
Eight weeks that can change your perspective
Eight weeks. Two host families. A new language. New friendships. Community volunteering. Conservation work. And the opportunity to experience a completely different way of life.
Nirzaara’s time in Mexico captures what Explore is all about.
It’s about being curious, getting involved and being willing to step outside what’s familiar. It’s about discovering another country through the people who live there and contributing to the communities that welcome you.
And while Explore gives participants the chance to see more of the world, the experience can also help them discover more about themselves along the way.
¡Bienvenida a casa, Zara! 🇲🇽