TWO WEEKS OF A BEAUTIFUL AND TRANSFORMATIVE EXPERIENCE.
Spanish course, activities, conferences, games, volunteering, trip to the iconic sites of Guatemala
CELAS MAYA: CENTER FOR LINGUISTIC, ANTHROPOLOGICAL, AND SOCIAL STUDIES MAYA.
UNO A UNO, MÁS HUMANO, MÁS EFETIVO.
CELAS Maya: Center for Linguistic, Anthropological, and Social Studies Maya, offers a transformative experience in Guatemala focusing on language, culture, and service for university and high school students, with flexible itineraries tailored to the time they have available. Groups will be accompanied by one or more teachers and one or more parents who can take turns during their children's stay when their age requires it.
Objetives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Improve their communicative skills in Spanish.
Have a transformative experience.
Enjoy the natural beauty of Guatemala.
Get to know other people, cultures, and perspectives.
Live among other young individuals and make friends.
Strategies
One-on-one classes, 1
2. A daily activities program.
Living with a Guatemalan family.
3. Weekend trips.
5.
4. Volunteering work.
Key Elements:
Total Immersion: Participants will be fully immersed in a Spanish-speaking environment, from classes to extracurricular activities, providing a unique opportunity to rapidly and effectively improve language skills.
Dynamic Classes: We offer interactive and enjoyable classes designed to encourage active student participation. From lessons in modern classrooms to outdoor exercises, each learning session is crafted to be practical and motivating.
Homestays with Local Families: Participants will live with carefully selected families, immersing themselves in daily life and practicing Spanish in an authentic and welcoming environment.
Cultural Exploration: The program includes excursions to iconic locations, visits to local markets, traditional cooking workshops, artistic presentations, and cultural activities to experience the richness of the Spanish-speaking culture.
Adventure and Fun: In addition to language and cultural focus, there will be recreational activities such as outdoor sports, themed games, and adventure outings to foster camaraderie and summer enjoyment.
Continuous Support: Our team of teachers and assistants will be available at all times to provide guidance and support, ensuring that each participant has an educational and enriching experience in a safe environment.
This itinerary is designed for 30 days; however, it can be adapted for 2 or 3 weeks based on the students' availability.
Saturday Day 1 Arrival in Guatemala, transfer to Quetzaltenango
Arrival at Guatemala City airport. Transfer to Quetzaltenango via private bus. Welcome, introduction to host families, and transfer to their homes.
Sunday Day 2
Monday Day 3 to 7:
Monday Day 3:
Breakfast with the mothers and teachers from 9:00 AM to 12:00 It's a space for gathering and getting to know each other. Hike to El Baul after breakfast.
Spanish classes from 8:00 to 12:00.
Classes are one-on-one, but teachers organize group activities such as roundtable discussions and interactive games. Every day, a choice of hot chocolate, black coffee, cappuccino, mochaccino, or tea.
Tour around Quetzaltenango 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Walk through the city's historic center. Special visit to the Municipal Palace, Cathedral, and Municipal Theater of Quetzaltenango. Breakfast with the mothers and teachers from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.
Tuesday Day 4:
Wednesday Day 5:
Thursday Day 6:
Friday Day 7:
Conference "Where We Are Located" at 16:00 hours. Talks about Guatemala's geographical location, history, and culture.
Chocolate classes from 16:00 to 18:00 hours. We learn to roast, grind, and shape chocolate and have a cup with sweetbread.
Excursion to Fuentes Georginas at 14:00 hours.
We enjoy natural hot springs in the mountains of Zunil, 14 kilometers from the city of Quetzaltenango.
Fiesta and Graduation at 19:00 hours. Tonight, we'll have a typical dinner with traditional Guatemalan food to bid farewell to our students. We'll hand out certificates, and students will have presentations with their teachers.
Saturday and Sunday, Day 8 and 9:
Trip to Lake Atitlán at 8:00 hours.
We tour the villages around the lake, climb the viewpoint at San Juan La Laguna. Enjoy the market at Santiago Atitlán.
Monday Day 10 and 14:
Monday Day 10:
Tuesday Day 11:
Wednesday Day 12:
Thursday Day 13:
Friday Day 14:
Saturday, Day 15:
Spanish classes from 8:00 to 13:00
One-on-one classes with interactive activities.
Volunteering work at 14:00 hours
Helping is always good, it's a way to express solidarity with others and learn a lot through interaction.
Soccer Game at 14:30 hours
It won't be a competitive game, but an opportunity to enjoy the sport and have a good time with young people from a nearby town.
Hike to La Muela at 14:00 hours
La Muela is a rock formation formed by the eruption of Cerro Quemad volcano, an excellent physical activity with beautiful views.
Visit to Chichicastenango Market at 6:00 hours
We visit the iconic town of Santo Tomás Chichicastenango where the Popol Wuj, the sacred book of the K'iches, was found. The classes will be in the afternoon.
Graduation Party from 18:00 to 22:00 hours
We bid farewell to the students with a dinner, salsa, music, and certificate presentation
Transfer to Guatemala at 11:00 hours. Lunch in Tecpán.
Goodbye Guatemala, Goodbye Xela, Until next time!
Start Date: May 31, 2025
End Date: June 14, 2024
Apply by: April 15, 2025
Price for the 14 days package: $ 2499.00 USD
Price for the 22 days package: $ 3299.00 USD
Price for the 29 days package: $ 3999.00 USD
NOTE: These prices include: Spanish course, accommodation with host families, activities, internal transportation, ground and air transportation to Tikal National Park, double occupancy rooms in hotels, and coffee during meals at the school. These prices do not include laundry services or lunches, nor do they cover airfare to/from Guatemala, insurance for medical or life, or baggage. Participants must acquire these independently as they are participation requirements.
