Description

Guatemala is the “land of eternal spring” where surreal landscapes dominated by towering active volcanoes cradle the rich cultural heritage of the resiliently colorful Maya peoples. Through this lush and textured land Dragons’ Guatemala course travels to remote communities to study with professional Spanish instructors in personalized one-on-one lessons while engaging in authentic home-stays and meaningful service learning projects. Passing through quaint colonial cities such as Chichicastenango we explore the dazzling colors of indigenous markets and bear witness to smoky fires of indigenous ceremonies while learning about struggles for indigenous rights and political representation. On the shores of Lake Atitlan, the birthplace of the Q’iche’ people, we dance and play with local children at La Cambalacha, an arts center for local youth, and learn about the ambiguous effects of tourism and development. Turning north we stroll amidst thousands year old temples jutting up through rainforest canopy where macaws and monkeys cavort in timeless serenity. Throughout our journey we focus on improving our Spanish Language skills while exploring the riveting story of the Maya culture, from pre-Columbian glory, through cycles of conquest and revolution, to contemporary plights for national ethnic recognition and basic human rights.

Highlights

Following is a sample itinerary for Dragons Guatemala: Mundo Maya Summer Abroad Program. Our sample itineraries are based on past courses; in order to meet instructor team goals, as well as the goals and interests of particular student groups, future itineraries are subject to change.

Weeks One - Two:
Arrive in Guatemala City, orientation outside of Antigua. Bus to Nebaj: history of civil war; one week of homestays and language study; trek from Nebaj to Todos Santos through villages in the Cuchumatanes Mountains.

Week Three:
Todos Santos Cuchumatanes: homestays, intensive Spanish language instruction, workshops on Guatemalan history, traditional healing, Mayan culture, weaving, marimba; volunteer in local schools; weekend hikes.

Weeks Four - Five:
Quetzaltenango language study and homestays; volunteer and service learning with NGO’s; focus on development issues, human rights, Latin music and dance; from here we’ll bus to Lake Atitlan: Service project with local school; visit the Maximon shrine, swimming and boat trips.

Weeks Five - Six:
Bus to Peten: Tikal, investigate rainforest conservation. Bus to Coban: cave exploration, swimming, waterfalls. Coban: Semuc Champey; Biotopo del Quetzal: 3-day cloud forest trek, rural home-stay with Queq’chi families; ISP presentations.

Week Six:
Bus to Antigua: service learning and volunteer with Safe Passage, disorientation and volcano climb

Travel Types

• 4th World Studies
• Camping
• Cooking
• Hiking
• Language Immersion
• Overland Tours
• Native Culture Studies
• Volunteering
• Trekking

Type of Programs

• High School Study Abroad
• Adventure Travel
• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Language Immersion
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• Spanish

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

6,350

Program Fees Include:

Tuition includes everything except international flight medical insurance and small personal expenses (personal calls home personal snacks aside from meals laundry services, email/internet cafes, etc.)

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Canadian, Australian, European, South African, Kiwi, Worldwide and Asian Participants.

Participants Travel

in Groups

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Where There Be Dragons's Mission Statement

Dragons programs are authentic, rugged and profound learning adventures that expose the beautiful and complex realities of the countries in which we travel. Featuring extended itineraries, Dragons programs encourage deep immersion into strikingly different physical and cultural landscapes, combining the best in experiential education, travel, service learning, and physically and intellectually challenging experiences. While programs vary in their focus - with some trekking and wilderness intensive, others strong on service and development studies, and still others language-oriented - all Dragons journeys are designed above all else to be fun, safe and honest educational experiences.

Year Founded

1993