El Salvador & Guatemala: Social Work
This program will next run in Spring/Summer 2024
San Salvador, El Salvador & Lake Atitlán, Guatemala: This program will expose students to the rich cultures of El Salvador & Guatemala, expanding their awareness of issues of social justice, peace and human rights as they relate to social work in Central America. The first half of the program will be based in the capital city of San Salvador. Students will meet with people that have been affected by social issues such as immigration, sex work, gangs, human trafficking and others. There will be a two-day excursion to the rural community of Santa Marta, where students will live with local families and participate in a service learning project. The second half of the course includes travel to Guatemala City and San Juan on Lake Atitlán in Guatemala. There they will meet with indigenous communities surrounding Lake Atitlán and explore indigenous communities’ unique and distinct world views and cultures. Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
Student Blogs
El Salvador Social Work Flickr
Cultural Information: El Salvador
Cultural Information: Guatemala
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Faculty-Led
GPA Requirement
2.0 Undergraduate
3.0 Graduate
2.0 Undergraduate
3.0 Graduate
English Language Requirement
Graduate
Program Dates and Application Deadline
Spring/Summer 2023
Estimated Program Dates: July 2023 - August 2023
Application Deadline: January 1, 2023
(Closed)
(2.5 weeks)
Courses
Undergraduate students will register for a total of 3 credits:
UNDERGRADUATE:
SW 354: International Service (3 credits)
Fulfills General Education Global Perspectives requirement.
Fulfills (1) General Education Issues course requirement. Reflection required.
GRADUATE:
SW 630: Social Work Global Service Learning (3 credits)
Language of Instruction: English
Housing
Participants will live in a guest house in San Salvador, with host families in rural Santa Marta and in a quaint Inn on Lake Atitlán in Santiago, Guatemala.
Cost and Scholarships
2021 PROGRAM COSTS:
Program Fee: $2,500
Includes
- Round-trip airfare from Grand Rapids
- All ground transportation
- Accommodation and all meals
- Course materials
- Field trips
- Visa (obtained at airport in San Salvador)
Other Expenses
- *GVSU tuition (3 undergraduate credits = $1,698 OR 3 graduate credits = $2,013, 2020 tuition rate)
- Personal Expenses (Optional) ($400)
- Recommended Vaccinations (Optional) ($375)
- Program materials ($150)
- Additional snacks (Optional) ($150)
- Passport ($150)
Total Projected Cost (Program Fee + Other Expenses) = $5,423 (Undergraduate) OR $5,733 (Graduate)
SCHOLARSHIPS/GRANTS:
Students may fund study abroad by using financial aid, scholarships, grants and personal funds. A study abroad adviser can help you create a funding plan.
FACULTY-LED PROGRAM GRANT (Up to $1,500): All degree-seeking students who apply to their faculty-led program by the priority deadline are automatically considered for a grant of up to $1,500 from the Padnos International Center. Students must have a current FAFSA on file to be eligible. No application required.
Global Programs Scholarship (Varies): The purpose of this scholarship is to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families and make a Grand Valley education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This need-based scholarship will ensure that financial need does not become a barrier to intellectual and personal growth for students planning to study abroad or complete an internship abroad.
James F. and Virginia L. Goode Global Programs Scholarship: The purpose of the scholarship is to reduce the financial pressure on students and their families and make a Grand Valley education accessible to students from all backgrounds. This need-based scholarship will ensure that financial need does not become a barrier to intellectual and personal growth for students planning to study abroad. To apply, visit MyScholarships.
Visit www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad/scholarships for more information on these and other grants/scholarships.
FINANCIAL AID:
To contact the Financial Aid office, email [email protected] with “Study Abroad” in the Subject line. Include your G Number and Total Projected Cost of the program in the e-mail.
Non-GVSU Students: Non-GVSU students admitted for study abroad are not eligible for Financial Aid from GVSU. Check with your home school’s study abroad and financial aid offices for details on applying for financial aid from your home school toward study abroad program costs.
Eligibility
Open to BSW and MSW majors and students in other disciplines with permission from the director.
Open to graduate students.
2.0 GPA (undergraduate) or 3.0 GPA (graduate) required.
GVSU is happy to extend this opportunity to Non-GVSU students.
Proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 is required for participation in this program
Already Applied
CDC Report
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same.
Checkout CDC Report For El Salvador
Checkout CDC Report For Guatemala
US State Department Information
The first step to an international trip is to read our Traveler’s Checklist to find out things to consider before you go. Pay special attention to our safety and security information and assess for yourself the risk of traveling to a particular country or region. Some U.S. citizens with special considerations – such as students, women, and LGBTI travelers – may face additional challenges when abroad. If you do decide to travel, make a plan for what to do if something goes wrong overseas.
Contact Information
Spring/Summer 2023
Jamie Langlois
Program Director
langloja@gvsu.edu
Paola Leon
Program Director
leonm@gvsu.edu
Jamie Langlois
Program Director
langloja@gvsu.edu
Paola Leon
Program Director
leonm@gvsu.edu
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