José María Morelos, Quintana Roo — A group of 13 students from the University of Victoria in Canada is touring Maya communities in Quintana Roo as part of an academic program designed to showcase a side of Mexico far removed from its beach resorts.
Anthropologist Mélissa Gauthier said the program stems from an agreement with the Universidad Intercultural Maya de Quintana Roo (UIMQROO) and aims to immerse students in the region’s cultural richness, which rarely appears on tourist itineraries.
“Many of them had already traveled to Yucatán or the Riviera Maya, but they never had the chance to get to know other towns,” Gauthier said.
During their stay from May 1 to 22, the students will visit communities in José María Morelos and Felipe Carrillo Puerto, take part in cultural activities, tour murals, and attend traditional events such as vaquerías.
Gauthier noted that the exchange helps students understand daily life in the region, from community dynamics to aspects like food and climate.
“They take away an understanding of what life is like in a place like José María Morelos, but also the warmth of its people,” she said.
She also emphasized that interaction with UIMQROO students creates a rich cultural exchange, where despite differences, they share common generational interests.
This is the second consecutive year the program has run, with plans to strengthen collaboration and expand opportunities for both institutions.
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