Guatemala

Overview

As an emerging democracy in Central America, Guatemala is an ideal location for travel, education and adventure.  Due to the moderate climate and lush vegetation that characterize this country year round, it has been called “the land of eternal spring”.  Spreading from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic and Caribbean shores, with fresh water lakes and rivers, hot deserts, live volcanoes and mountainous terrain, the country offers many varied ecosystems often short distances from one another.

The stories of the peoples who inhabit Guatemala are varied as well.  This can be seen in the cultural differences reflected in the traditional dress still worn by many people throughout the country today and in the landmarks you see throughout Guatemala.  There are the ancient Mayan ruins, European basilicas, baroque cathedrals, crumbling ruins from the Spanish/Catholic influence; the land is rich with archeological treasures that tell of times past.  At the same time, the people who live there have suffered much.  There are the stories of early tribal conflict, the conquest of the Spanish, and recently, 36 years of civil war.  And yet there is beauty in the spirit of the people, and great hope as a result of the development of a democratic system and the establishment of a peace accord in 1996.

All of these factors make Guatemala an excellent destination for the Outtatown Discipleship Schools program.

Introduction to Outtatown Guatemala

The semester in Guatemala will be a full immersion into culture, diversity and life-changing experiences. You will be introduced to the varied people groups that make up the current populations of Guatemala, to their history and the challenges they have faced.  A study of the nature of the conquest of Guatemala by the Spanish will sensitize you to similar issues in Canada in terms of the role of the Europeans as well as the impact on indigenous populations.  A further study of land ownership and current economic injustices will lead to sobering reflection as to the role of our own governments in the politics of Central America.

You will learn all of this from within the culture.  Learning Spanish and living with Guatemalan families of modest means will lead to an inside view to life in Guatemala and to the challenges these people face.  At the same time, travels throughout Guatemala will allow you to experience the incredible beauty of the rain forests, tropical fruit in abundance, live volcanoes and the many adventures that can be found in every corner of this small, but diverse part of God’s good earth.

Travel

We believe that in order for you to gain a full understanding of the history and culture of Guatemala, you must see a significant portion of the country, meet a variety of people and enjoy the beautiful diversity of beaches, jungles, valleys and mountains within the country.

You will begin your experience in Central America in a retreat center just outside of Guatemala City, before moving into a small village in the area surrounding Antigua.  This small village and the city of Antigua will become your home for almost half of your time in Guatemala, while living with families and studying Spanish.

Transportation within Guatemala will be primarily by bus.  When traveling in between the host village and Antigua, you will use local transportation and travel in brightly coloured buses known as ‘chicken buses’.  Chartered buses, and occasionally chartered boats, will be used when traveling as an entire site within Guatemala.

Throughout the semester you will have numerous opportunities to travel around Guatemala with your fellow students and site leaders.  You will spend time on the black sand beaches of the Pacific Ocean, swim in the lakes and waterfalls of Semuc Champey and maybe even hike a volcano or two.  While volunteering in the central regions of Guatemala you will experience first-hand the breathtaking beauty of the cloud forest and become familiar with local animal life in the jungle regions.

Your team will spend time serving in the Lake Atitlan area; a breathtaking location where opportunities for adventure & culture abound.  The lake is surrounded by volcanoes and little villages known for their markets full of traditional textiles and weaving, pottery and jewelry.  An afternoon spent ziplining will give you a birds eye view of the lush hill sides and valleys in this gorgeous region of Guatemala.

Near the end of the semester, your site will spend an entire week traveling to a variety of interesting, beautiful and adventurous locations in Guatemala.  You will travel by boat up the Rio Dulce, spend time at the Finca Ixobel eco-reserve and then visit the Mayan ruins at Tikal National Park.  The forest, where these Mayan temples and pyramids are found, is also home to howler monkeys, toucans and parakeets.

You will end your experience in Guatemala with ten days in a retreat centre on the edge of Antigua.  While sitting in a lush garden, you will hear from your fellow team members about how they have been transformed by God over the course of the school year.  Opportunities to continue to explore Antigua will be available throughout this time.

Instruction

You will have many opportunities to learn about Guatemalan history, culture and the Spanish language during second semester.  You will spend 6 weeks in daily Spanish classes with the Academia de Profesores Privados de Español (APPE).  Students will be split into groups of 3 to 5 to learn basic Spanish with a qualified instructor.

You will spend time in Guatemala City with CASAS (Central America Study and Services program) learning about the intense history and culture of the country.  As well, you will experience Indigenous life in central Guatemala as you learn about the history and struggles of the indigenous people.

Service

One of the ways in which students are able to connect with local Guatemalans is through service and volunteer opportunities.  You will connect with a wide variety of local ministries and long-term missionaries and aid-workers throughout your time in the country.  We seek out ministry partners who are committed to serving the Guatemalan people in the long term, while looking for ways to support these ministries and their communities in meaningful ways.

You will have the opportunity to be involved in home building projects in the Lago de Atitlan area, alongside the staff and volunteers of Porch de Solomon.  You will also serve alongside members of the Indigenous K’ekchi’ community, participating in reforestation projects and sustainable agriculture initiatives.  See first-hand how communities in this region are being transformed with the introduction of small business development programs that encourage families to raise their own goats, cattle or rabbits.

While you are staying with host families in the village near Antigua and working on your Spanish studies, you will take part in weekly afternoon service assignments, such as working in a school, an orphanage, a hospital, or a care-home for the elderly.

Near the end of the semester, you will be sent out on an Independent Service week.  In groups of 4 to 6 students, you will partner up with a variety of local ministry projects.  In past years, students have worked in orphanages, schools, shelters, rehabilitation centers and they have also served with a variety of community development, maintenance and construction projects.  This week allows you to use your newly acquired Spanish skills, while making a meaningful and lasting connection with the people that you are serving.

Culture

Guatemalan culture is unique because of the European influence.  Throughout the semester, you will daily experience both the European and indigenous cultures of Guatemala.  You will experience firsthand the daily life of Guatemalan families through the opportunity to live with and become a part of a family for 6 weeks.

You will be able to visit and explore ruins in Antigua.  You will also have the chance to shop in markets in and around Antigua and Lake Atitlan, visit the Tikal National Park (Mayan ruins), the Guatemala Legislative building and museum, as well as spend some time on a coffee farm (finca).

The traditions of Semana Santa (Easter Holy Week) in Antigua are impressive; their Catholic Easter celebrations are the second largest in the world.  Elaborate processions wind through the street of Antigua each Sunday, beginning with the start of Lent and continuing until Holy Week, when there are daily processions.  The city of Antigua will be alive with color and festivities during Semana Santa, and the streets will be full of people participating in the excitement and the solemnity of the event.  Every day there will be processions through the streets, which are covered with carpets of colorful sawdust in elaborate patterns and designs, with incense burning all around.  On Good Friday there will be re-enactments of the stations of the cross.

Adventure

Opportunities for adventure are around every corner!  You will likely hear volcanic explosions during your time in Guatemala; accompanied by puffs of smoke in the daytime, the red glow at night, and maybe a tremor or two.  The challenge of scrambling to the edge of a live volcano will leave you breathless from the climb and awed by the scenery and the sense of danger that lies beneath this beautiful country.  The river waters run warm through the jungles forming various pools, fountains and waterfalls that lead to cliff diving and various white water adventures.  You will trek through the cloud forest and see ecosystems that have spawned movies and legends.

Weekend travel with your group, free weekends when students travel in smaller groups to a destination of their choice and the group travel week allow for endless opportunities to take part in adventure activities throughout the country.  There are options to go surfing, boogie boarding or horse back riding on the ocean beaches, zip-lining and paragliding at Lake Atitlan, or swimming and cliff-jumping in beautiful lakes and waterfalls in a variety of locations throughout the country.  Mountain biking and weekend hiking trips are available for students who love to push their limits.  Caving, river-tubing and exploring underwater caverns are also common Outtatown activities.

All of this is part of your education – challenging you to know God, to know yourself, and to know the beautiful world God has created.  Come experience Guatemala with us and fall in love with the people, places and culture of Central America!

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