Shepherd University Faculty Led Study Abroad Program

Between Ruins and Riches: Contemporary Guatemala in a Historical Perspective

HIST 399A / PSCI 424

June 4-21, 2024

Prof. Keith Alexander, kalexand@shepherd.edu

Deadline to Register is March 8th
Sign Up Below!

Itinerary

Day 1 - June 4.

  • Morning arrival to Guatemala City

  • Transfer to Antigua

  • Hotel check in

  • Independent lunch

  • Program Orientation on safety, logistics and culture

  • Welcome dinner

Lodging: Hotel Posada San Pedro or similar Meals: Dinner

Day 2 - June 5.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Historical walking tour of Antigua with historian, Guillermo Montoya

    • Students will take to the streets of the UNESCO World Heritage site of Antigua to learn about some of the key buildings, landmarks, and history of the antique capital.

  • Independent lunch

  • Conversation with local historian, Guillermo Montoya

    • Guillermo will provide an introduction to the history of Guatemala and Antigua.

  • Independent dinner

  • Group reflection

Lodging: Hotel Posada San Pedro or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - June 6.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Enjoy panoramic views of the city of Antigua from the “Cerro de la Cruz” lookout.

  • Meet with local education NGO ‘Los Patojos’

    • Group will travel to the nearby town of Jocotenango to discuss their Los Patojos programs and some of the challenges facing Guatemalan students and communities.

  • Independent lunch

  • Free time in Antigua to explore markets, parks and museums

  • Independent dinner

  • Group reflection

Lodging: Hotel Posada San Pedro or similar Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - June 7.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • 1:15 transfer to Iximche Ruins

  • Tour of the Iximche Mayan Ruins

    • Students will be led by a local indigenous guide through the ancient site, ceremonial area, and museum learning about the history and traditions of the ancient Maya.

  • Traditional lunch at Iximche

  • 2.5 hour transfer to Xela

  • Distribute to homestays

    • Homestay families have years of experience hosting students.

  • Dinner with homestay families

Lodging: Xela homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 5 - June 8.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

    • Students will be in small groups of 2-4 with certified and experienced teachers from the Utatlan Language School.

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Free time to explore Xela’s center

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 6  - June 9.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Travel to the nearby sacred cultural site of 'Cerro Quemado' with Xela Adventures

    • Students will hike with local guides to learn about the importance of this site and why nearby indigenous populations make the pilgrimage.

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Free time

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 7 - June 10.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Walking tour of Xela with local history expert, Luis Fernando Gómez

  • Group reflection

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 8 - June 11.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Cemetery tour for history, and symbolism exploration in the Xela cemetery.

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 9 - June 12.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Local Indigenous Maya language class

    • Students will take an introductory language class in a local Maya indigenous language, as well as learning some history of the language and its modern use.

  • Group reflection

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 10 - June 13.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Free time or an optional one hour salsa class at Salsa Rosa

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 11 - June 14.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Meet with immigrant activist and storyteller, Willy Barreno, from La Red Guatemala

  • Group Reflection

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 12 - June 15.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Spanish class 8am-1pm (5 hours)

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Free time

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 13 - June 16.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Visit “Fuentes Georginas” hot springs in the town of Zunil

    • Rejuvenating thermal waters located in the skirts of the Zunil volcano surrounded by lush, forested hillsides.

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Free time

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 14 - June 17.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • Free time or an optional walk to “Cerro El Baul” for city views

  • Lunch with homestay

  • Spanish class 1pm-6pm (5 hours)

  • Dinner with homestay

Lodging: Xela Homestay Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 15 - June 18.

  • Breakfast with homestay

  • 2 hour transfer to Lake Atitlan

  • Group lunch on the way to Panajachel at a restaurant with a view of the lake

  • Hotel check in

  • Free time to explore Panajachel markets and dock

  • Independent dinner

  • Group reflection

Lodging: Nakbé Atitlán - Panajachel Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 16 - June 19.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Private boat transfer to San Antonio

  • Swim at a beautiful beach near San Antonio

  • Site visit to Mayan women's cooperative

    • Students will receive a weaving demonstration of the traditional backstrap weaving technique, enjoy a traditional lunch, and take a tour around the town to see important sites such as the local ceramic factory and church.

  • Return to Panajachel for independent dinner

  • Group Reflection

Lodging: Nakbé Atitlán - Panajachel Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

Day 17 - June 20.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Boat transfer to Santa Cruz

  • Traditional cooking class with NGO Amigos de Santa Cruz

    • Class hosted by students studying at the culinary school CECAP (Capacity Building Center). Both groups of students will enjoy the fruits of their labor for lunch together.

  • Return to Panajachel

  • Free time

  • Farewell Dinner

Lodging: Nakbé Atitlán - Panajachel Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Day 18 - June 21.

  • Breakfast at the hotel

  • Final group reflection

  • Independent early lunch

  • Midday departure to Guatemala City

  • Independent dinner at Guatemala City mall and opportunity to explore the mall

  • Evening departure to USA

Lodging: N/A Meals: Breakfast

Course Information:

Shepherd Students must enroll in either HIST 399A Contemporary Guatemala (3 credits) in Historical Perspectives. Lifelong Learning participants will enroll through the Lifelong Learning program (contact Karen Rice at krice@shepherd.edu).

Cost:

$2,790 to $3,190 depending on the number of students enrolled. Invite your friends!

This cost does not include the price of tuition or Lifelong Learning continuing education credits.


What's included

  • Lodging in double occupancy

  • Meals as listed in the itinerary above, including one free non-alcoholic drink per meal

  • All ground and boat transportation

  • All activities described in itinerary, including entrance fees when applicable

  • Guide/translator with the group the entire trip from airport pickup to drop-off

  • Donations to service learning partners and local NGOs   

  • Pre-departure and arrival day orientations

  • 24-hour emergency support 

  • Tips for driver

  • Carbon offset for air travel 

What’s Excluded

  • TUITION or Lifelong Learning continuing education credits

  • Roundtrip airfare to Guatemala

  • Travel, medical, and evacuation insurance with COVID19 coverage (required) and cancellation coverage (recommended)

  • Alcoholic beverages

  • Tips for lodging

  • Personal spending

  • Activities and meals not described in itinerary


Payment Timeline

A non-refundable $500 deposit is due to the university at enrollment. Balance amount due 3 months prior to travel.

Lodging

Hotel Posada San Pedro or similar (Days 1-3) - Great location right in the center of town, just three blocks from Antigua's Central Park. It offers traditional breakfasts and features a spacious terrace, Rooms are spacious with TV and ensuite bathroom with hot shower, Amenities: Rooms, breakfast, TV, garden, terrace, wifi

Utatlán School homestay or similar (Days 4-14) - Homes are conveniently located within a 5 to 10-minute walk from the school in the heart of Xela, All host families have experience hosting students and will encourage the use of Spanish, Host families offer students a room with a shared bathroom and three home-cooked meals per day

Nakbé Atitlán or similar (Days 15-17) - Spacious and modern rooms offer a comfortable atmosphere, Hotel Nakbé Atitlán also has a restaurant where you can taste delicious national dishes, Amenities: Rooms, restaurant, conference rooms, ATM, wifi


Safety

  • COVID-19 Safety Protocols

  • Guide / translator with the group from arrival to departure and available at night in an emergency

  • We carefully vet all in-country service providers


    We recommend all participants to purchase travel insurance with cancellation and trip interruption coverage that includes COVID19.

Contact for more information:
Professor Keith Alexander: kalexand@shepherd.edu

Deadline to Register is March 8th
Sign Up Today!

Do you have questions?