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Guatemala & Mexico Semester: Spanish & Activism (Gap Year)
A narrow strip of mountains, jungles, and fiery volcanoes unites North and South America and splits the world's largest oceans. Central America has been a focal point for flourishing cultures, biodiversity, migration, and trade for thousands of years. The modern-day inhabitants of this isthmus are the descendants of the Mayan and Aztec empires, in addition to descendants of the Spanish invaders of...
A narrow strip of mountains, jungles, and fiery volcanoes unites North and South America and splits the world's largest oceans. Central America has been a focal point for flourishing cultures, biodiversity, migration, and trade for thousands of years. The modern-day inhabitants of this isthmus are the descendants of the Mayan and Aztec empires, in addition to descendants of the Spanish invaders of the 1500s and the enslaved Africans brought with them. For centuries, these diverse peoples and their cultures have interacted and mixed to shape modern-day Central America's distinct and vibrant nations. Today, the communities sharing this unique heritage continue their legacy of adaptation, responding to rapid environmental and social challenges with innovative communal strategies. This gap ye...
Program Highlights
Deepen language skills through small group Spanish classes and by living with local families.
Support social justice projects in Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Southern Mexico
Experience the vibrant living traditions of the Mayan people in Guatemala and Chiapas.
Volunteer on the Chico Mendes reforestation project and hike to the top of ancient temples in the Caribbean rainforest as dawn breaks over the horizon.
Build Spanish language fluency, examine models of political activism, and engage with diverse Mesoamerican communities and cultures.
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Quick Details
- Panajachel, Guatemala
- Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
- Post High School
- During College
- Adventure Travel
- Experiential Learning
- Language Immersion
- Spanish
- Study Abroad
- See more
- All Nationalities
Recognitions
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
The Best Year of my Life
by: DonnaProgram: Guatemala & Mexico Semester: Spanish & Activism (Gap Year)Overall, this course was exactly what I needed. I finished my high school career with very little motivation to keep going, I didn't see the point of college, I had no reason to keep torturing myself through traditional academics because in short, I hated it. I felt isolated and disconnected from true reality. I needed to get away, I needed to change my point of view, and I needed to give myself worth and reason to keep going forward. This trip gave me all of that. I'm back in school now, and I ...
Central America Awesomeness!
by: Susannah BerryProgram: Guatemala & Mexico Semester: Spanish & Activism (Gap Year)I could talk all day about my Dragons experience. I was a semester student this past fall (2011) on The Roots of Rebellion Central America Program. I spent three months exploring Guatemala, El Salvador, and Nicaragua with a group of remarkable peers and instructors. We became a small family by the end of our three months together. After my first semester, I actually decided to return to Central America on the Dragons Spring Extension Program. My six months with Dragons has been a very special ex...
Program Details
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Locations
- Panajachel, Guatemala
- Tuxtla Gutierrez, Mexico
Types and Subjects
- Types
- Adventure Travel
- Experiential Learning
- Language Immersion
Availability
Years Offered: 2025, 2026
- During College
- Post High School
Age Requirement
Age Requirement Varies
Guidelines
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Group
Cost per week
Program Cost Includes
- Tuition & Fees
Accommodation Options
- Group living
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
- High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
- Some college credit, no degree
Application Procedures
- Phone/Video Interview
- Physical Exam/Health Records
- Online Application
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