Answer:

This program is targeted towards upper-level students (juniors, seniors, graduate) but it's best to start planning to take part in this program as soon as possible. This is for two reasons:

1. You need at least a “limited working proficiency” of Spanish by the time you go
2. You’ll want to start saving up and exploring funding opportunities (total cost ~$4000).

Most students prefer to travel in the summer, but we can discuss opportunities for other times throughout the year if that is your preference.

Answer:

The minimum length of stay for this program is six weeks, but you can stay longer (up to 12 weeks or for an entire semester).

Why at least six weeks? We need you to get past the ‘tourist’ stage of the experience and to where you start to feel like you’re a member of the community. That takes at least a month.

Your housing will be vetted and arranged by the program coordinator who lives/works in Panajachel. Your housing options will be tailored to your needs, length of stay, and whether or not you will be accompanied by fellow students.

Food costs are very reasonable in the Lake Atitlan region. There are two supermarkets in Panajachel along with a local market. You will receive training from the program manager on how and where to safely acquire food.

Answer:

Yes. You’ll need at least “limited working proficiency” of Spanish by the time you go. Below is a scale that defines each level of proficiency.

• No proficiency (You know either just a couple words or none at all)
• Elementary proficiency (You can structure questions and answers that are typically used by tourists)
• Limited working proficiency (You can understand basic commands, have a simple conversation)
• Professional working proficiency (You can ‘work’ in the language but may have a strong accent and need assistance with more advanced terms)
• Full professional proficiency(You can have conversations at an advance, even abstract level; you have a firm grounding in the language, but you’ll occasionally have misunderstandings or make mistakes)
• Primary fluency / bilingual proficiency (You were either raised speaking this language or have been speaking it for so long that you’re entirely proficient in it; your accent is either barely recognizable or nonexistent).

You must at least be at "Limited working proficiency" before departure in order to maximize both your experience and your ability to help the non-governmental organization you will be working with.

If you would like to get starting learning Spanish, we work with a non-governmental organization called Jabel Tinamit, located in Panajachel, Guatemala to provide reasonably priced, one-on-one Spanish language lessons via Zoom. For those of you already at the “professional” or “primary/bilingual” level who don’t need any further Spanish training and who would like to learn the predominant Mayan language spoken in that area, Jabel Tinamet also offers classes in Mayan Kaqchikel. Please contact one of the co-directors for details (lyarrow@k-state.edu or khosscruz@k-state.edu).

Additional options to learn Spanish are enrolling in K-State Spanish language courses, Basic Language Training through International Scholar and Student Services here at K-State, and applications* like Rosetta Stone,Babbel, and Duolingo.

If you are already at “elementary” or “limited” proficiency and just need to keep your skills up, please check out K-State Modern Languages department’s Café Olé which is an informal conversational gathering for those wanting to practice their Spanish skills.

*These are great to supplement your learning, but it's best to find a formal education program that will hold you accountable for your learning.

Indeed.com. (17 October 2023). How To Identify and List Levels of Fluency on Your Resume. Resumes and cover letters.

Answer:

Panajachel itself is safe for non-locals because its economy is heavily dependent on tourism. Please follow general safety precautions for urban life and travel. Before you go, you will receive education on how to be safe when traveling internationally.

Our program has a local Program Manager fluent in both English and Spanish who lives and works in Panajachel. The Program Manager is available 24/7 and coordinates your arrival/departure transportation, service-learning assignment, housing, and cultural activities. The Program Manager is there to help ensure your safety and well-being while you live, learn, and work in Guatemala.

Please check out the Health and Safety Abroad page of K-State's Education Abroad program for more details on how K-State students stay safe when traveling internationally.

Answer:

Please visit the US Department of State website for more details on current documentation requirements for travel to and from Guatemala*.

You will also receive training prior to departure which will include all necessary documentation requirements.

*Please note that Guatemala is considered Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” due to crime rates in certain areas of the country. You will not be living or working in any of those areas.

Answer:

Students fly into the Guatemala City airport and are typically bused (using private, tourist-specific transportation) directly to Panajachel to their housing location the same day. If a student arrives late, they will stay at an approved hotel overnight (one that provides shuttle service to/from the airport).

The program coordinator will either be on the transportation to Panajachel with you or will meet you in Panajachel once you arrive. Your next day is typically spent with the program coordinator getting to know the local area and receiving training on safety and other important topics. Your first week is usually spent on acclimation and training. You may or may not meet with your assigned organization the first week.

During the first weekend in Panajachel you will attend a required tour with a hired tour guide. This tour takes you around the lake and to lakeside villages. You will learn the history of Guatemala, the Maya people, and the far-reaching implications of the Guatemalan Civil War.

During week two, you will start ‘work’ with your assigned organization. Your working hours are set in coordination with you, the organization, and the program coordinator. Weekends are your own, but you can work with the program coordinator to arrange tours and trips.

Please check out the Service-Learning Opportunities page for more details on specific service-learning opportunities.

Answer:

What you pay:

• Airfare (varies, most recent has been $800-$1000 round trip)
• Transportation to/from Panajachel (~$60 round trip)
• Housing (~$300 - $375 per month)
• Food (~$12-$15 per day not counting restaurants)
• Guatemala Partner Program fee ($300)
• Service-Learning Organization Placement fee ($600)
• FNDH Program fee ($500)
• K-State Health/Safety insurance ($120)
• Required Introductory Cultural Tour ($35)
• Non-refundable deposit ($1400)*

The final total is between $3,700 to $3,900 which includes incidentals such as tourism and entertainment. Please be aware that costs can vary.

*This gets applied towards the FNDH Program Fee, Partner Program Fee, and Service Learning Organization Placement Fee

Scholarships

A variety of scholarship opportunities are available to support a student’s international experience. International Study Scholarships are available for student in the College of Health and Human Sciences.

Additional suggestions are listed below:

• Office of International Programs Scholarship page
• K-State Scholarship Network (an online application portal that will connect you to various scholarship opportunities)
• Check with the department(s) that house(s) your major and/or minor to see if they offer scholarships for international educational opportunities.
• Check with the Dean’s office of your university college (example: College of Arts & Sciences) to explore scholarship opportunities for travel and international experiences.
• If you are a first generation, military-connected, and/or TRIO student, please check with your respective support services to explore funding opportunities.
• Email the program co-directors (khosscruz@ksu.edu or lyarrow@ksu.edu) if you would like to discuss other options

Answer:

If you’d just like to get more information and meet with one of the co-directors, please complete our interest survey.

The application for Summer 2025 will open in February 2025. If you're interested in a Spring or Fall 2025 experience, please contact one of the co-directors: Kathleen Hoss or Linda Yarrow.