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/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 costumes worn 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 French and British as well as the impact on indigenous populations.  A further study of land ownership and current economic injustice 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 a retreat center just outside of Guatemala City, before moving into small villages in the area surrounding Antigua.  These small villages 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 villages and Antigua, you will use the local transportation, brightly coloured buses known as ‘chicken buses’.  Chartered buses will be used when traveling as an entire site within Guatemala. 

Throughout the semester travel around Guatemala will include spending time on both the coast of the Pacific Ocean (black sand beaches) and the Caribbean Sea.  You will have the opportunity to visit and work in the central regions of Guatemala, becoming familiar with the animal life in the jungle and the heat of the desert. 

Lake Atitlan is a breathtaking location where opportunities for adventure & culture abound.  Volcanoes and little villages known for their markets full of traditional textiles and weaving, pottery, jewellery, and local fruit surround the lake. 

Near the end of the semester, you will travel by boat up the Rio Dulce to Livingston (the only Garifuna town in Guatemala, a mixture of Guatemalan and Caribbean culture) 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.

Instruction

Service

One of the ways in which students are able to connect with local Guatemalans is through service and volunteer opportunities.  Early on in the semester, each site will spend two weeks working with Habitat for Humanity building homes.  You will work with an experienced builder and with the family for whom the house is being built.  In the past, our Outtatown students have been able to work on and complete more than 7 houses per year (13 houses were completed during our work project in 2006). Click here to see photos of houses built by Outtatown students in 2007.

You will also serve in an Indigenous K’ekchi’community in central Guatemala with MCC (Mennonite Central Committee) for a week.  The K’ekchi’ fought the Spanish and lay claim to being the only unconquered people group in Guatemala.  MCC has a remarkable track record of working in effective and meaningful ways with these people, leading to the establishment of many churches and a school for their children.  Here at the edge of one of the remaining rain forests in the world, we will assist MCC in their educational programs, construction projects, sustainable agriculture or with the small business development programs that encourage families to raise goats, cattle or rabbits.

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. These buildings and churches were destroyed in the earthquakes in the 1700s.  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.  The processions begin on Palm Sunday and continue every Sunday throughout Lent 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 can be found in abundance.  You will hear volcanic explosions; see puffs of smoke in the daytime, the red glow at night, and maybe feel a tremor or two.  The challenge of scrambling to the edge of a live volcano (Pacaya) 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.  These are an exciting part of our visit with MCC in the area of Coban, along with a trip to Semuc Champey.  You can take a trek in a rainforest, maybe even on your way to church, and see the ecosystems that have spawned movies and legends.  There is boogie boarding or horse back riding on the ocean beaches, cliff jumping at Lake Atitlan, or snorkeling in the Caribbean.  There are opportunities to go caving and the chance to explore an underwater cavern.  And 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 let us show you around Guatemala and fall in love with Spanish culture!