GUATEMALA
LAND OF THE MAYA
Medicine & Public Health Track
Work alongside Guatemalan doctors in a rural school to support public health access for indigenous communities. Immerse yourself in Guatemala’s diverse cultures, traditions and history at the heart of the Mayan Empire
Program Overview
On this program, you will be immersed in public health and sanitation projects based in the heart of a rural indigenous school. Work alongside local medical professionals and, with their guidance, gain field experience by supporting communities with limited access to healthcare. Receive training from professionals and earn CPR certification.
You’ll be captivated by the fascinating Maya heritage and splendid Central American landscapes. And while a focus on healthcare and medicine is at the core of this program, every GLA experience also includes adventure! Zipline through Guatemalan mountains and journey across the sacred and awe-inspiring Lake Atitlán.
Note: This service-learning track is combined with our Guatemala: Land of the Maya – Children & Education Track. All students share the same Home Base, cultural immersion and adventure activities. However, service-specific experiences such as service work, hands-on projects and site visits are tailored to each track, ensuring you gain focused learning within your chosen academic theme.
On GLA’s Guatemala: Land of the Maya – Medicine & Public Health Track program you will:
- Gain hands-on healthcare experience in a rural Indigenous school
- Be trained by medical professionals, learn basic first aid and get CPR certified
- Shadow medical professionals and observe best practices in healthcare
- Learn traditional weaving techniques from master artisans and sample local delicacies at a chocolate museum
- Venture across sacred Lake Atitlán, one of the most beautiful lakes in the world
Program Menu
GUATEMALA
LAND OF THE MAYA
Sample Itinerary
Let’s take a sneak peek at what your program experience might look like this summer! Please note that the order of activities may differ for each program session. The details provided here represent a general outline of what you can anticipate, though community service projects and activities are subject to change based on the needs of our local community partners, cultural celebrations and traditions, weather conditions and the specific requirements of the student group.
Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at La Aurora International Airport, where GLA staff will greet you. Travel to the colonial city of Antigua, meet your group, and share your first authentic Guatemalan dinner.
Day 2: Orientation & Mayan Wedding Ceremony
Our first full day begins with orientation: learning Guatemalan cultural norms, reviewing the GLA Code of Conduct and team-building games. We’ll then dive into local culture by meeting Maya women who will share the traditions of a Maya wedding ceremony. You’ll also try your hand at making tortillas and see how coffee is traditionally roasted.
Day 3: Lake Chicabal & Clinic Training
Explore Maya cosmology on a visit to a sacred mountain and Lake Chicabal, where a local Curandero will lead an ancient ceremony. In the afternoon, take part in a workshop to prepare for our first community clinic, learning from medical professionals and practicing basic medical phrases in Spanish and Kaqchiquel.
Days 4-7: Medical Clinics, First Aid, CPR Course & Adventure
Spend four days assisting local medical professionals with free health checks in an indigenous community, rotating through stations like triage, pharmacy and hygiene. You’ll also earn CPR certification. After service, take part in cultural activities such as weaving, chocolate making and salsa dancing, while reflecting on the impact of public health initiatives.
Day 8: Ziplining
After four days of service, it’s time for adventure! Go ziplining through the Guatemalan mountains, take in stunning views and share laughs with new friends. In the evening, enjoy dinner followed by Mentor Group sessions and leadership activities.
Day 9: Service Wrap-Up & Hot Springs
Return to the school for your final day of service, assisting medical professionals with patient registration, vitals, doctor consults, and medication distribution—gaining firsthand insight into the impact of accessible healthcare. In the afternoon, relax in natural hot springs before evening reflections on your time in Guatemala.
Days 10-11: Excursion To Lake Atitlan & Mayan Culture
Travel to stunning Lake Atitlán, where you’ll take a boat ride to a Maya village and explore local artisan markets amid breathtaking scenery. Then return to Antigua for your final day—visit an organic coffee plantation, enjoy free time to explore or shop, and celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner.
Day 12: Departure
After breakfast and final goodbyes, we’ll travel to the airport to begin our journey home. GLA staff will ensure that you’re checked in for your flight and are prepared for the trip home. ¡Buen Viaje!
Program Map
GUATEMALA
LAND OF THE MAYA
Program Details
Dates & Tuition
2027 Session Dates
June 26 – July 07, 2027
July 19 – July 30, 2027
What's Included in Tuition
In-country transportation
Lodging
3 meals per day
Professional full-time staff and experts
24/7 parent support hotline during program
Secondary medical and evacuation insurance
Cultural activities, lectures and excursions
Pre-departure materials and support
Educational materials
to hold your spot on-program.
Program at a Glance
Program Location: Guatemala
Program Type(s): Career Exploration, Service-Learning
Every GLA Program is Backed by our 5-Point Safety System™
GLA HOME BASE:
SAFE & SECURE LODGING
CARING SUPERVISION &
EXPERT LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
SAFE
TRANSPORTATION
HEALTHY FOOD
& PURE WATER
24/7 SUPPORT &
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
Recommended by Students and Parents
Sydney D. | 2015 Alumni Student
“My experience in Guatemala was absolutely amazing & without a doubt life-changing. I learned so much about myself as well as people of a very different, but very beautiful culture. Initially, I was really nervous because I didn’t know a single person going on this trip but I was quickly comforted; the GLA mentors as well as the other students welcomed me with arms wide open & eyes filled with excitement. We were sharing an experience that would turn into a story to tell for the rest of our lives.”
The Program Experience
Career Exploration
Gain exposure to various healthcare settings as you deepen your understanding of how political, economic and environmental disparities shape global health. Explore key challenges rural communities in Guatemala face, including limited access to healthcare and public health initiatives. Under the guidance of medical professionals, you’ll receive essential first aid training and get certified in CPR building foundational skills for a future career in medicine, nursing or public health.
Service Learning
Shadow and assist local medical professionals as they provide free health checks, basic exams and health assessments to underserved populations. Learn firsthand the critical importance of providing free, quality care to communities without adequate healthcare access. After building your foundational knowledge, put your medical Spanish into practice by accompanying qualified healthcare providers directly as they deliver patient care.
Adventure
Take a short hike to Laguna Chicabal, a serene crater lake nestled in the caldera of a volcano, where you’ll uncover the mystique and natural beauty of Guatemala. Soar by zipline through the mountains while taking in breathtaking views. Wander the cobblestone streets of Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and admire its striking colonial architecture. On a two-day excursion, spend the night right along the shores of sacred Lake Atitlán.
Country Spotlight
Experience the rich Maya heritage and vibrant mountain culture of Xela and the Guatemalan highlands.
Lodging: Your GLA Home Base is an enclosed compound in the heart of Xela. This comfortable lodge offers students and staff a peaceful retreat from the bustling town and community service sites. Students stay in gender-segregated rooms, with shared bathrooms and hot showers. The Home Base is quaint, with a welcoming atmosphere that fosters close connections and a strong sense of community.
Meals: Savor wholesome, fresh meals rooted in Guatemalan traditions, featuring local staples such as handmade tortillas, beans, rice, fresh vegetables, tropical fruits and traditional regional dishes served fresh at Home Base.
GUATEMALA
LAND OF THE MAYA
Photo Gallery
GUATEMALA
LAND OF THE MAYA
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