University of Florida - Tower Yearbook / Seminole Yearbook

“Gators Explore Mexico Last summer, 16 students participated in UF ' s newest foreign study program a six-week stay in the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. Centered in the city of Merida, the program offered students the opportu- nity to explore the ancient Mayan Indian ruins, relax on the Caribbean beaches, and learn about Yucatecan culture. Students stayed with Mexican families in Merida and studied Spanish and anthropology at the Autonomous University of Yucatan. Because of the strength of the American dollar, students found prices to be very reasonable. The exchange rate was gener- ally 650 pesos to the dollar. Relatively speaking, a city bus ride from Merida to Isla Mujeres cost $4.50. Field trips sponsored by the Autono- mous University of Yucatan included vis- its to the Maya ruins of Dzibichaltun, Ux- mal, Maya*, and the Caves of Loltun. The students also spent some free time visiting the ruins of Chichen Itza and Ta- lum, two locations featured in the movie Against All Odds. Favorite weekend pas- times on the Caribbean islands included eating lobster and enjoying the cool sea breeze on Isla Mujeres, and joyriding on the Roads of Cozumel. In addition to practicing Spanish con- versation with their host families, the stu- dents attended classes four days a week in order to study Spanish grammar and Yu- I) M. Protheroe catecan anthropology. A study of the Ma- yan Indian culture, the Spanish colonial system, the War of Independence, the Caste War, the Hennequen Boom, and the Revolution of 1910 comprised the anthro- pology course. Half of the students who participated in the 1986 program were OF students. They were Mark Avera, Patrick Kelly, James Kissinger, Kathy McMahon, Scott Parker, Mark Protheroe, Barbara Ray, and Stacy Willits. The other eight students came from other schools. They were Be- verlee Anderson (Wright State Universi- ty), Naomi Despres (University of Michi- gan), Thomas Griffin (Santa Fe Community College), Mr. and Mrs. Ken- nedy (Florida Junior College), Alan and James Klasfeld (Emory University), and John Linstroth (Holy Cross College). — Mark Protheroe 1) Naomi Despres, a student from the University of Michigan, scales a large piece of driftwood in Cozu- mel. 2) Stacy Willits, Patrick Kelly, Naomi Despres, and Kathy McMahon pose in front of the Governor ' s Palace at Uxmal, a Mayan site. 3) The huge Cathedral of Merida, built in colonial times, faces the Plaza of Independence, the city ' s central square. 3) M. Protheroe Student Programs Abroad 131 ”