High School Study Abroad in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

At dawn, a howler monkey cries from the branch of a giant cieba tree. In the Cuchumatanes Mountains, a young woman rises to grind corn on a stone petate. Along Avenida Reforma, street children juggle oranges for change as businessmen tuck into air-conditioned office buildings. Investigate issues of social justice amidst Guatemala’s diverse landscapes and communities while improving your Spanish language skills through personalized instruction. Our summer abroad course begins in Antigua, where we explore colorful markets, hike through coffee plantations, and begin our first Spanish lessons. We ride the infamous Chicken Bus—a colorful and chromed-out version of a 1990s Blue Byrd school bus—to the sparkling shores of sacred Lake Atitlan and settle in for a week of homestays at our program base in the town of San Juan la Laguna. In the mornings, we participate in intensive language instruction at a local school. In the afternoons, we immerse ourselves in Tz’utujil culture through independent projects and time with gracious host families. We have 2, 4, and 6-week options available for this program.

Live an unforgettable summer with Celas Maya’s Spanish Immersion Program for High School Groups in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. This summer Spanish program for teens combines personalized one-on-one classes with certified native-speaking teachers and full cultural immersion through homestays and daily activities. Classes follow the CEFR (A1–C2) and are tailored to each student’s level and goals. Outside the classroom, students live with carefully selected host families and participate in guided cultural experiences like Mayan site visits, cooking classes, dance workshops, and local excursions. Celas Maya offers a safe and supportive environment with 24/7 staff supervision, ideal for school-organized trips. This program helps students build Spanish fluency, confidence, and intercultural awareness in a structured and inspiring setting. Whether students are beginners or advanced speakers, they’ll gain valuable language skills while discovering the beauty and richness of Guatemalan culture.