In the shadow of an ancient Maya trading center, a modern study is underway in the town of Yaxunah (Yah’ shoe nah), Mexico. There, anthropology Instructor Grace Bascope works with a Maya community of about 500, studying their way of life and helping them adapt traditional ways to the modern world.

This year Yaxunah came under the Maya Research Program’s umbrella, and four TCU student volunteers spent two weeks with Bascope and others, conducting census interviews, mapping a nearby community and teaching the Yucatec/Spanish-speaking villagers a third language — English.

Bascope has spent 12 years years in the community studying children’s health issues and assisting the residents in their own community-generated development initiatives. She also helped them convert former archeological field camp buildings into Campamento Yaxhuna, an eco-tourist hotel that is perhaps the only one of its kind owned and operated totally by Maya. Two ruins, the ancient Yaxunah site and the colonial hacienda Ketel-ak, are located on the village communal lands.

This ethnographic volunteer opportunity is the kind of work senior Marchelle Jordan wants to spend a lifetime doing.

“I loved it because of the people,” she said, noting they are tenacious and loving even while living in difficult circumstances. She would recommend the experience to everyone.

“I think seeing the world outside of yourself, outside of your perspective is important,” she said. “It helps you see the world through a different pair of eyes.”