Jun 28 - Jul 11, 2027 |
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Jul 15 - Jul 28, 2027 |
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This immersive journey into Guatemala invites you to explore a country of contrasts where sacred landscapes and ancestral knowledge meet the complexity of global influence and grassroots resilience. Join us for the perfect 2-week blend of intensive language study, community engagement, and cultural immersion.
Learn and improve your Spanish skills and confidence through 20+ hours of classes, interactions with homestay families, and meetings with local mentors
Gain 10+ hours of service by supporting community projects and social justice movements through a range of initiatives that build an understanding of ethical volunteering
Explore the impacts of globalization, migration, grassroots movements, US colonial influence, and sustainable agriculture
Engage with the vibrant traditions, landscapes, and ancestral knowledge of the Maya people through homestays and community engagement
This two-week Spanish Intensive program is designed for students eager to improve their language skills through immersion in a vibrant and welcoming cultural setting. We begin in Antigua, a city of colonial charm and cobblestone streets, where we dive into Guatemala’s rich history and begin our first Spanish lessons.
Traveling by camioneta to the majestic shores of Lake Atitlán, we settle into our program base in the artistic hub of San Juan la Laguna. Here we begin daily Spanish classes with our partner language school, live with welcoming homestay families, and visit with local mentors to work on projects focused on Tz’utujil Maya culture.
Crossing the lake to San Lucas Tolimán, we partner with the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute to engage in hands-on service and reflect on responsible community engagement. In our final days, we hike in the highlands, where we rest, reflect, and deepen our understanding of Indigenous movements and the resilience of Guatemalan communities. Along the way, we not only improve our Spanish language confidence, but also leave with a more nuanced understanding of cultural identity, power, and connection in Central America.
We’ll begin our journey by meeting up at a U.S. airport hub and flying together to Guatemala City. From there we’ll transfer to a small coffee farm which will be our orientation site in the Guatemalan highlands. We’ll spend the first couple of days getting to know each other and learning more about Guatemala, the culture and how to stay safe and have a great time over the rest of the course.
From our orientation site, we’ll visit the community of Pachaj, a small indigenous mountain town nestled in the pine forest outside of Guatemala’s second biggest city, Quetzaltenango. In Pachaj we’ll learn about indigenous Guatemalan culture, starting our first homestay with local families, and daily language lessons. You’ll be living with families of Kiche Mayans who are eager to share about their rich history and traditions while you practice your Spanish in a welcoming family setting. In Pachaj we’ll also partner with the Chico Mendes Reforestation Project, an organization dedicated to rehabilitating the environment around Pachaj. We’ll learn about the environmental issues facing Guatemala and how this community is responding to them.
From Pachaj, we’ll travel to the sparkling shores of Lake Atitlan. This huge crater lake, which is ringed by volcanoes, is a very special place culturally and spiritually and will be home to our next stop in the artistic hub of San Juan de La Laguna. Here we’ll live with local families, have intensive Spanish lessons in the mornings with our partner language school, and spend the afternoons volunteering with the Mesoamerican Permaculture Institute to learn about and help with their community projects. Students will also have the opportunity to engage in an Independent Study Project to explore an aspect of local culture from weaving to cooking to music to dance and more. We’ll also have several guest speakers here that will talk about all kinds of issues relating to the community including immigration, Mayan spirituality, and the history of the region.
Our final stop is the historic colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. Here, we cultivate gratitude, celebrate our adventure, and begin to consider how this journey might inform our return home. Students also have a chance to explore the cobblestone streets, bustling art markets, and historic sites that make Antigua a UNESCO world heritage site. On our final night, we share a bonfire under the stars before readying for our travels back home.
Our Program Components are the building blocks of every travel experience we offer. Each program emphasizes different activities and themes to help you meaningfully connect with your surroundings. The Program Components are a great way to find an experience that best fits your individual interests and goals.
Experienced educators. Community builders. Life mentors. With deep regional expertise and local language fluency, our instructors are skilled at providing context for the student experience and building cultural bridges. We collectively draw upon personal networks to create opportunities for connection and guide students along their journey.
