Volunteer in Guatemala
In Guatemala it is possible to live in a modern environment yet experience the magic and enchantment of a legendary past. Guatemala is a very diverse country with a vibrant heritage of Mayan culture and language. But it is also a country struggling to overcome vast social problems and where the majority live in extreme poverty.
When you join one of our community service projects you are giving yourself the opportunity to make a difference by:
- Sharing your culture and education with youth groups in a rural village
- Working as part of an environmental education/ eco-tourism project
- Contributing to small business projects for rural women and youth groups
- Educating and providing emotional support for disabled children
Volunteer Abroad Program Overview — Guatemala
Arrival - Spanish Training - Staff - Teaching Methods - Homestay - Volunteer Service - Program Fees - Payment Schedule
ARRIVAL AND ORIENTATION
Upon arrival of your flight in Guatemala City, you will be met and welcomed at the airport by an INLEX representative. From the airport, you are transported to Antigua to have an orientation regarding:
- The country (geography, people, traditions/customs, services, currency, etc)
- Health and security measures
- Transportation system
- Staff to contact in case of emergencies
- Procedures regarding classes and volunteer work
- Home stay
You will also receive an orientation packet covering the points discussed and other useful information. Later on during the first days at your Spanish school you will have a more specific orientation to your town and language program.
On the following day you will be taken to our Spanish Center, Eterna Primavera, with two locations: Antigua (tourist colonial city) or Santa Lucia Milpa Altas (15 minutes from Antigua for a total immersion option). Gloria Solis or Alicia Cobar, school directors, will interview you to determine your Spanish level, and help you begin your first classes.
SPANISH TRAINING
Eterna Primavera is our language center and has two locations. One is in Antigua and one is in a small village called Santa Lucia Milpa Altas, about 15 minutes outside of Antigua.
The peaceful nature of Santa Lucia offers the student the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in their Spanish studies. Santa Lucia is located on the slopes of a mountain viewing Antigua and only a short distance by car.
The Staff
Our staff consists of a group of well-qualified experienced teachers who have taken specific university courses on teaching Spanish as a second language. Appropriate techniques are used for individual learning styles with one teacher to one student or group classes.
Teaching Methods
The Competency Method used by Eterna Primavera has been used successfully by the Peace Corps in Latin America and introduced the technique of visual, auditory, verbal and accumulated knowledge applied to specific situations.
LIVING WITH YOUR HOST FAMILY
INLEX has arranged for you to live with a Guatemalan family throughout your language training and your service and they have been given a short biography on you. The goals of living with local families are: 1) to help your understanding of the culture of Guatemala; and 2) to strengthen your Spanish language skills.
The Host Family Coordinator has overall responsibility for selecting families and coordinating family live-in arrangements. Family Coordinators have been assigned to assist with home stays, assisting in recruiting families, serving as counselors, and troubleshooting any issues that may arise. The Host Family Coordinator has conducted a home stay assessment visit to: 1) confirm that facilities meet home stay criteria; 2) discuss the volunteer program goals with your family; and 3) answer questions and address concerns.
Your home stay family has been given an orientation to learn about the program in detail; the roles and responsibilities of the families, volunteer and INLEX; cultural differences between your country and Guatemala; Trainee health and sanitation issues; logistics and arrangements for the home stays.
Your host family will be an important part of your overall volunteer experience. Periodically, a staff member will visit you and your family to discuss your upcoming goals and objectives; to examine how the home stay is working out; and to address any issues or concerns you or your family may have. Finally, you will be given Contact Assignments and homework, which will involve the participation of your home stay family.
Your home stay family has been asked to provide you with three meals per day. All families receive a stipend to help cover food and living expenses. You will formally evaluate the home stay program twice during the training program. Informal feedback on home stays will be solicited throughout training by the Host Family Coordinator.
VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Following language training, you will join your host project to begin your volunteer service in different parts of the country according to your assignment. Your volunteer service can last 2-10 months (or more) depending on your selection and type of project. For your volunteer assignment you will also be placed with a local family.
INLEX has contacts with a large number of Guatemalan NGOs working in development programs. Therefore, we are able to accommodate a very wide range of interests. After defining the future volunteer's area of work, INLEX will locate organizations where the volunteer can be placed. This will be consulted and agreed with the volunteer before arriving to Guatemala.
Some typical host projects include:
- Helping to preserve the environment as part of an environmental education/ ecotourism project
- Contributing to small business projects for rural youth groups
- Helping to educate and provide emotional support for disabled children
- Assisting in a day-care center for children of single mothers
PROGRAM FEES 2008
| Length of Program | Cost |
|---|---|
| Note: The published price remains subject to change in case of major currency fluctuations. Contact your sending Office. | |
| 2 months | US$1875 |
| 3 months | US$2175 |
| 4 months | US$2475 |
| 5 months | US$2775 |
| 6 months | US$3075 |
The program includes:
- Application processing, interview and pre-departure information
- Accommodations with a host family
- Language training: 80 hours of individual Spanish classes in Antigua (colonial city) or Santa Lucia Milpas Altas (15 minutes from Antigua for a total immersion experience)
- Participation in cultural activities
- On call support throughout the service
- Coordination with the host country organization of volunteer service
- Transportation to language school and volunteer project site
- Optional visits to archeological and colonial sites (additional cost)
- Orientation to volunteer work
- Welcome at airport
It does not include:
- Transportation to and from Guatemala, passport and visa fees if any
- Airport/exit taxes
- Health & accident insurance
- Personal expenses including international phone calls
Payment Schedule
A deposit of 20% of the total program fee is required with your application. It is non-refundable upon notification of acceptance and is applied to the total program fee.
The balance of the program fee is required 30 days prior to departure.
Cancellation Policy
- Cancellation after acceptance and prior to placement confirmation – the deposit is forfeited
- Cancellation after confirmation of placement – 50% of the program fee is forfeited
- No Show or Early Departure from Program – 100% of the program fee is forfeited
