GLOBAL HEALTH IN THE LAND OF THE MAYA

Arrive at La Aurora International Airport in Guatemala City, the gateway to Maya heritage. GLA staff will greet you and escort you to the colonial town of Antigua, where you’ll meet more staff and fellow students. Begin your exciting journey with a chance to connect and enjoy your first authentic Guatemalan dinner!

On our first full day, we’ll kick off orientation by learning key cultural norms in Guatemala, reviewing the GLA Code of Conduct, and playing get-to-know-you games. You’ll also discover the exciting experiences ahead for the next two weeks. To immerse ourselves in the culture, we’ll meet local Maya women who will teach us about the ancient Maya wedding ceremony. Afterward, you’ll have the chance to make tortillas and see traditional coffee roasting.

Explore Maya cosmology with a visit to a sacred mountain! We’ll hike to a viewpoint of Lake Chicabal and descend to the lake, where a local Maya healer, or Curandero, will lead an ancient religious ceremony. You’ll also dive into Mesoamerican culture. In the afternoon, we’ll prepare for our first community clinic, with a workshop led by medical professionals. You’ll learn basic medical phrases in Spanish and Kaqchiquel (an indigenous Maya language) and get ready to put your new knowledge into practice!

For the next four days, you’ll shadow local medical professionals, assisting with health checks, physical exams, and assessments. You’ll rotate through stations like general medicine, triage, pharmacy, education, and hygiene, all under professional supervision. These clinics will highlight the public health challenges faced by indigenous Maya communities due to limited access to quality care. You’ll also be trained and certified in CPR!

After service, you’ll engage in cultural and adventure activities, including a hands-on textile workshop with local weavers, personal reflection time, and discussions on the impact of public health initiatives. Plus, enjoy a chocolate workshop and a salsa dancing class!

After four days of service, it’s time for adventure! Go ziplining through the Guatemalan mountains, enjoy the stunning views, and have fun with your new friends. After a delicious dinner, we’ll gather for Mentor Group sessions and leadership activities in the evening.

In the morning, we’ll drive to Lake Atitlán, the sacred Maya lake and one of the world’s most beautiful. Spend the day enjoying stunning views, a boat ride to a Maya village, and exploring local artisan markets. We’ll stay overnight at a lakeside hotel. The next morning, we’ll head to Chichicastenango, home to the largest Maya craft market in the hemisphere, where artisans from across the country gather—it’s a sight to behold!

After two days of adventure, we’ll return to the medical clinics with renewed energy. You’ll assist medical professionals across various stations, including patient registration, taking vital signs and measurements, shadowing doctor consultations, and dispensing medication. We’ll continue learning about the vital need for free, quality care in underserved communities.

In the afternoons, you’ll engage in cultural activities and relax in natural hot springs. In the evenings, we’ll gather in smaller groups to reflect on your experiences and what you’ve learned in Guatemala so far.

Our group will depart Xela early in the morning and head back to Antigua, where you’ll have the afternoon to explore the colonial city and do any last-minute shopping. We’ll also visit an organic coffee plantation with delicious samples! That evening, we’ll have a farewell dinner and reflect on our time in Guatemala.

On our last day, after breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll travel to the airport, where GLA staff will ensure you’re checked in and ready for your journey home. ¡Buen Viaje!