Guatemala Term (Spring 2010)

Courses | Location | Partner Agencies | Accommodations | Travel |

Program Dates | Cost| Next Steps/Contact | How to Apply!

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Program Description

Guatemala Term is a cross-disciplinary program designed to provide students an opportunity to improve their ability to communicate in Spanish, to participate in the culture of Guatemala, to develop an understanding of the connections between community ministry and community development, and to integrate experiential learning with formal academic study.

• Learn Spanish by studying one-on-one with a Guatemalan language instructor
   • Serve in a community-based ministry located in the nearby villages and Antigua
      • Live with a Guatemalan family
         • Immerse yourself in Guatemalan culture
           • Experience a life-changing semester

Courses (14-15 credits total)

Spanish Language Courses (7-8 credits)
Students study individually with a language instructor from Centro Linguístico Maya, and receive credit for two of the following courses:

SPA 203 Intensive Intermediate Spanish I in Guatemala (4 credits)
SPA 204 Intensive Intermediate Spanish II in Guatemala (4 credits)
SPA 206 Spanish for Health Care Professionals I (4 credits)
SPA 302U Hispanic Cultures: Guatemalan Perspectives (4 credits)
SPA 306 Spanish for Health Care Professionals II (4 credits)
SPA 308 Current Issues in Guatemala (4 credits)
SPA 309 Advanced Oral Communication in Guatemala (3 credits)
SPA 315 Advanced Spanish & Written Communication (4 credits)
SPA 325 Spanish for Business I (4 credits)
SPA 326 Spanish for Business II (4 credits)

Sociocultural Studies Courses (7 credits) All participants take the following two courses:

SPA385 OR SCS385 Cross-Cultural Experience in Guatemala 4 credits
Students choosing this course as a Spanish elective for a minor in Spanish or a major in Spanish or Spanish Education must complete the majority of course assignments in Spanish and will register for SPA385. Students choose to work at a ministry site that offers hands-on experience in a field of interest. Students International staff members closely mentor students at each site, which are located in neighboring villages. A Guatemalan faculty member guides students in connecting their work at their sites and the understanding they are gaining about holistic ministry.

SCS330G Local Development in Guatemala 3 credits
Sociological study of how regional and worldwide political, economic, and social structures, along with broader historical events, impact local communities in Guatemala. Exploration of holistic development in these communities, with special emphasis placed on those models that are participatory and culturally contextualized. Case studies are drawn from Guatemala.

Location

Within an hour's drive of the capital of Guatemala City lies the picturesque town of Antigua where Spanish colonial influence remains visible in baroque architecture, the cobblestone streets and the Catholic cathedrals. This colorful town and its surrounding villages provide the setting for Guatemala Term. Participants learn about the history and culture of Guatemala through interaction with host families, language teachers, missionaries, and from visits to historic sites and communities served through ministry.

Accommodations

Students will live and take meals with Guatemalan families throughout the semester. The homestays (in Antigua and the rural village of Magdalena) will provide an opportunity to practice Spanish with native speakers and to experience life with a Guatemalan familes.

Partner Agencies

Students International (SI) will host students for the semester. SI is a nonprofit, evangelical Christian mission organization that strives to serve the poor through long-term community development ministries. SI intentionally provides students with opportunities for dynamic hands-on experiences that relate to their specific major and skills. Qualified Guatemalan and American staff oversee the specific long-term projects and are involved in the community-oriented lifestyle of the organization. Each ministry site is structured to facilitate student engagement and provides an opportunity to be part of an ongoing ministry that will impact many for the Gospel.
Centro Linguístico Maya (CLM) is a language school certified by the Guatemalan Ministries of Education and Tourism. Located near downtown Antigua, CLM offers individualized instruction and optional weekly field trips to sites around Antigua, and other cultural activities.
Seminario Anabautista Latinoamericano (SEMILLA) in Guatemala City provides several days of orientation at the beginning of the semester as well as the opportunity for students to complete their coursework and process their experience at the end of the term.

Travel

Students have the opportunity to explore many regions in Guatemala through travel (included in program fee). Travel sites may include:

Tikal A famous Mayan archeological site in the jungle of northern Guatemala, Tikal was a major urban center of the Americas, behind only Mexico and Peru in influence in the third and fourth centuries. Giant pyramids and other structures remain for students to climb and explore.
Panajachel A unique town that provides a gateway to Lake Atitlán, a 12-mile mountain lake over 300 feet deep and surrounded by volcanoes, with many villages situated on its shores.
Pacific Coast A short getaway to the coastal town of San José in Guatemala will introduce you to a new landscape and climate in Latin America.
Guatemala City See variety in the many neighborhoods of the capital city, and explore museums and the national palace.
Volcano Visit In a tour led by an experienced tour guide, students will visit one of the three volcanos that dominate the horizon around Antigua.

Dates

The group will tentatively depart for Guatemala on January 29. The program officially ends on May 20 (tentative). Guatemala Term does not conflict with interim at Bethel.

Calendar

The program begins with orientation at SEMILLA. The semester is divided into 3- and 4-week blocks during which students work intensively at ministry sites or study Spanish at the language school. Program concludes with debriefing and preparation for re-entry at SEMILLA. Spring Break is the week before Easter (Semana Santa).

Requirements for Admission

Completion of at least one year of college-level Spanish (through Introductory II) or the equivalent.
Minimum sophomore standing
Minimum 2.5 GPA
See application for additional policies
Obtain an application from CC320A or contact us at ois@bethel.edu to request one.

Cost

Students pay the equivalent of Bethel tuition, room (junior level), and the Royal meal plan ($17,250 for spring 2010). This includes tuition and fees, room, meals, four trips/excursions, and round-trip airfare (Minneapolis – Guatemala City). Financial aid applies (with the exception of work-study and Bethel performance scholarships, i.e. orchestra, forensics). Additional costs include passports, immunizations, independent travel, and personal spending.

Next steps/Contact Info

Talk with your academic advisor – off-campus study should complement your field of study.
Ask questions – feel free to contact International Studies (651.638.6549) or Alicia Juarez, Program Director (651.638.6326 or juaali@bethel.edu), for any additional information.
Obtain an application from CC320A or contact us at ois@bethel.edu to request one.

Important dates

Applications are being accepted now for Spring 2010! Applications include a $50 nonrefundable application fee. A $250 confirmation deposit will be required two weeks after acceptance to hold the spot.

April 15
Initial application deadline (Applications will be reviewed and acceptance made on a rolling basis after this date.)

October 15
Final day to submit an application

November 14
Study Abroad Orientation (mandatory for Bethel University students)

January
Final program payment due with spring 2009 bill

January 29
Departure date (tentative)

May 20
Return date (tentative)

Additional pre-departure meetings will occur on campus throughout the fall and interim.