Latin American Studies

Study Abroad - Additional Opportunities

Ancient Mayan pyramid in Tikal, Guatemala

FOR STUDENTS INTERESTED IN LATIN AMERICA:

The University of Arizona and the Center for Mesoamerican Research (CIRMA)
invite you to participate in a study abroad program in Guatemala. This is a
summer, spring and/or fall semester program. Students receive a University of
Arizona transcript.

Program highlights include:

* a variety of Latin American Studies, Anthropology, History, and
Spanish classes, taught by professors, scholars, and practitioners from Central
America. Students can also study a Mayan language. Most classes can be taken for
honors credit, and some can be taken for graduate credit.

* classes give an in-depth and on-the-ground view of social history and social
movements, and peace and development issues.

* new classes include a week-long, two credit Geography field course on
Community-Based Tourism in Q'eqch'i communities of Alta Verapaz, visiting
community-run archeaological sites, tubing through palatial caves, attending a
Mayan ceremony, and meeting with Q'eqch'i community leaders.

* engaging field trips throughout Guatemala related to course material.

* opportunities to travel on your own (Guatemala is incredibly beautiful,
complex and fascinating!)

* a home stay with a Guatemalan family.

* for-credit internships at CIRMA and use of CIRMA's extensive research library
and documentary and photographic archives, one of the largest collections in
Latin America. CIRMA is located in a stunningly beautiful colonial mansion in
the center of Antigua, Guatemala.

* internships and volunteer opportunities in the surrounding community.

* study abroad students are also doing internships at Safe Passage/Camino Seguro
(www.safepassage.org) in Guatemala City. Safe Passage provides
life-transforming aid to children of families who live in a shantytown. Study
abroad students have found that lending a hand to this incredible organization
not only makes a real difference in the world, but that it changes their own
lives as well. This internship can be accompanied by a for-credit directed
reading in urban anthropology and/or Latin American urban history.

* a colloquium series that brings in renowned political, social and cultural
leaders to dialogue with the study abroad students.

For photos and to read what a recent student has to say about her experience
in Guatemala, read the blog "A brief interlude of sensational experience":

http://lauraebuchanan.blogspot.com/

For more information about the application process, including deadlines:
contact Jill Calderon at the UA Study Abroad office: jcaldero@email.arizona.edu.

For questions about CIRMA and Guatemala:
contact John Way, Study Abroad Program Director for CIRMA: jtway@cirma.org.gt.

For program information, see:

http://studyabroad.arizona.edu/databaseshowitem.aspx?id=971

or visit http://cirma.org.gt

Elizabeth Oglesby
Associate Professor
School of Geography and Development
Center for Latin American Studies
University of Arizona
Harvill 435A
Tucson, AZ 85721
Tel: (520) 621-1652

Page last modified February 4, 2011