How a High School Summer of Service Abroad Can Shape Your Future

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on some of the most meaningful experiences our students had this year. One standout program was the Leadership and Service program in Mérida, where students volunteered at Comedor Zarigüeyas, a community kitchen founded by a group of mothers to feed local children in one of Mérida’s low-income neighborhoods. Here are their reflections on the experience and how it will shape their future:

1. What was your favorite part of working at Zarigüeyas?

“I think my favorite part about working there is the kids, like getting to interact with them and see the different types of games they come up with. I've learned a couple of new games that I can play with my friends. They're super creative people.” -Amelia

“They live a different life from other people, and they still live happily and still enjoy the community. They're very hardworking, and I really like that about Zarigüeyas.” -Anastacia

“Seeing the connection, how a mother is to her child, I feel like I feel like it's something that we overlook a lot.” -Camilla

“I was able to really get to know the children and how it is to really grow up in that place and how difficult it may be. Many of them struggled to motivate themselves to go to school. It's more of just trying to survive and get by.” -Ciomary

“Even with the language barrier and not understanding everything the kids say, you could still have fun with all of them and just, like, enjoy playing with them.” -Elliot

2. What surprised you most about this volunteer experience?

“They are spending only 700 pesos [approximately 37.33 USD] to feed 95 people. 
And really surprised me a lot, and also like impacted me, like, so little for so many people.” -Anastacia

“I think I was surprised about the amount of, like, families that they're able to see, like, in one day. Like, it's insane. I was just shocked, honestly.” -Camilla

“I think what surprised me the most was just how great everyone was. Like, coming from there's a situation in their homes, like, it's tough, but you know at the end of the day, they still work together. They love to support each other. and just really uplift one another.” -Ciomary

“I didn't think about how, like, many people were going to be there and how big of a community it actually was gonna be. Everyone contributes. Even the kids, when we first went there, everyone's contributing to the community aspect of it.” - Amelia

“I was surprised by, like, the layout of the, like, just property, 'cause, like, the kitchen is wide open. Everyone's like, around helping out, and there's a garden in the back to get food. Everybody's just helping, trying to get all the kids fed and all the moms.” -Elliot

3. What were the most impactful things that you took from this experience for your future career and academics?

“For me, I just saw that, like, a little bit of help goes a long way to, like, bring freedom and just, like, better times, because we built this, like, community together over like three weeks and I just feel like in the future, you could easily build a new community to like help out anybody that needs help.” - Elliot

“It helped me see that we are able to help people by just being able to make them happy.” -Anastacia

I feel like this has taught me how to become, like, more open-minded and also more considerate. In different situations that I come across, I'll be more understanding.” -Ciomary

“I want to work with kids in the future, so getting to work with them and talk to them and just experiencing new culture was really beneficial to me. And also learning off of them, like, we didn't even speak the same languages, so there were so many barriers there and we still managed to make it work.” -Amelia

“I feel like we care a lot about, like, going into college and how important it is to, have these volunteering hours, but I think it's important to also realize the impact that you make. I'm still thinking about how I can use this more in my life. I feel like caring more in my community, and helping out more.” -Camilla

Experience a High School Summer Abroad in Mexico

If you’re looking for a high school study abroad program in Mexico, CIEE’s Leadership and Service program in Mérida offers an immersive summer experience. Volunteer in local communities, engage with Mexican culture, practice Spanish, and make a lasting impact on both the community and your own personal growth. Apply today!