Recent grad studying Mexican culture through Yale summer program

If you’re going from Waco to Mexico, traveling through Connecticut isn’t necessarily the quickest way to get there. But for one recent Baylor graduate, it’s working out.

Rafael Benavides, who received his degree in journalism this past May, earned a scholarship to study with Yale University’s Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies in Zacatecas, Mexico. This summer, he’s spent the past five weeks studying the Nahua people (descendants of the Aztecs) and the Nahuatl language. After growing up hearing his grandparents’ tales of Mexican history and then visiting the Mexican border on high school mission trips, Benavides developed an interest in the native culture and language of Mexico.

During his summer program, Benavides has spent 8-9 hours a day in the classroom, followed by a full night of homework each evening. He’s got a leg up, though, as he entered the course already able to read, speak and write Nahuatl — something only about 1.5% percent of Mexico’s population can claim. With his summer studies complete, he hopes to find a job in journalism or return to school for his master’s degree.

Sic ’em, Rafael!