The study trip with the class was absolutely fantastic! The people in Mexico were so warm, social, and welcoming. You almost feel like you’re family with them. We got to experience many exciting activities, and my favorite was going rafting in the Lacandon jungle. Seeing and hearing all the birds and jungle plants while we rafted down the river and jumped over waterfalls was truly magical!

We’re really enjoying our time in the Latin America program! The atmosphere is relaxed, without any pressure or stress. We have a fantastic teacher we share lots of laughs with, and it’s great to be in a class with others who are interested in Latin America. A strong love of travel and curiosity about different cultures have brought us together.

Meeting indigenous peoples was one of the coolest parts of the journey. The pyramids and
the history behind it all is incredibly interesting. Temazcal – sweat lodge was a ceremony where we were “reborn”. A cool experience and very different from anything I’ve done before.

In the Latin America program, we learn a lot about Latin America in general, both its history and culture. It’s especially exciting to learn about lesser-known information that you typically don’t hear about in the news. One of the things I like best is learning to dance salsa and making Latin American food together in the school kitchen. The study trip is, of course, a major highlight, and we students get to decide a good deal of what we’ll do on the trip. The high level of student involvement is a big plus.

We got to travel the world, but also ‘bonded’ with people by traveling together. In our class, it was nice to cook together, go for walks in the local area, and it was especially beneficial to learn Spanish. We are left with so many great memories and friends from the class!

The Latin America program at Åsane Folk High School is for anyone interested in history, culture, and meeting new people. In the first semester, you learn about Mexico’s lost history, from the mysteries of the Olmecs to the adventures of the Aztecs. You also learn about the famous painter Frida Kahlo and her husband Diego Rivera. You get to make delicious Mexican dishes, learn Spanish, and even take salsa dancing lessons.

The second semester is full of excitement and adventure. That’s when the class travels to Mexico, and theory finally turns into practice. In Mexico, there are so many impressions at once, and I felt a strong sense of adventure mixed with respect for the country and its people. Mexicans know how to celebrate life and have an amazing sense of humor. We visited the mighty ruins of Teotihuacan and the jungle ruins of Palenque. We enjoyed sunsets and the night sky in Mazunte. We even got to release some of the cutest creatures in the world — baby turtles at sunset, which was absolutely magical. Many went to the markets and bought authentic Mexican bags, dresses, shirts, and adorable little Doña Rosa figurines. Personally, I loved wandering through the markets in Mexico — listening, smelling, and, most importantly, talking with the friendly vendors.

The trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience! I can look back and tell myself, “Wow, we did all of that — it’s almost unreal.” This journey gives you new self-insight, knowledge, and experiences, while the group also develops an incredible bond and gets to know each other really well.

The Latin America program at Åsane Folk High School gives you a completely new perspective on life. At least, it certainly did for me.