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?
