Today, the communities sharing in this Mesoamerican heritage continue a legacy of adaptation to rapid environmental and social challenges. This semester takes a hands-in-the-dirt approach to understanding the indigenous cultures of Mesoamerica through extended rural homestays, personalized language study, work on community learning service projects, and examination of grassroots activism.

Program Highlights:

• Deepen your Spanish language skills through personalized instruction by experienced instructors 
• Immerse yourself with local families through extended homestays in urban and rural communities. 
• Explore the vibrant colors, flavors, communities and ancestral landscapes of the Guatemalan and southern Mexican peoples.
• Support community projects and movements in Guatemala and southern Mexico.
• Visit remote mountain villages as you trek through breathtaking hills and take in a sunrise over the incomparable Lago Atitlán, surrounded by verdant volcanoes. 
• Learn more about Mayan and Aztec ancestral knowledge reflected in the agriculture, spirituality, and medicine of Mesoamerican indigenous communities. 
• Experience the cultural and religious syncretism of Mesoamerican indigenous traditions and Spanish traditions. 

In the western highlands of Guatemala, over eighty percent of the population is indigenous Maya, maintaining a legacy of rich cultural strength in the face of external pressures. Living with indigenous families, we work in el campo, learn Spanish in personalized classes, and immerse ourselves in Mesoamerican culture. Herbal healers, weavers, and community leaders share their knowledge through Independent Study Projects (ISPs) while conversations with local NGOs working in human rights, community health, and development provide opportunities to get involved in contemporary struggles for continuity and change in society. Beyond intensive community engagement and homestays, we explore Guatemala and Mexico’s geographic and cultural diversity through extended travel and hiking expeditions.

The final phase of our itinerary has the option to take us across the border into the state of Chiapas in Southern Mexico to explore the common Mayan cultural heritage which transcends national boundaries. While living with farming communities and further honing our Spanish skills, students learn about Chiapas’ history of revolution and resistance, participate in agricultural initiatives, climb mystic ancient temples, and explore the delicate encounter between past and present.

Through a rugged and authentic exploration of some of the most remote regions of Guatemala and Mesoamerica, our semester unearths the complex issues facing indigenous communities working towards sustainable development in a globalizing landscape. With intensive Spanish lessons, rural homestays, and thoughtful learning service engagement, students gain an immersive perspective on our relationships with land, tradition, and community.

Hear more from our Director of Programming in this recent webinar.