The Service Learning Program
The Service Learning Program consists of four or five hours of classroom instruction in the morning and three or four hours of hands-on field work as a volunteer in the afternoons, based in one of our social aid programs.
Working directly with communities increases the desire to learn the Spanish language and the classroom time allows participants to be more effective in their social work.
Please see what volunteer work you can get involved in by going to the Volunteer Work page, where you can download a printable summary in MS Word format.
The Two Week Training Period
Before Service Learning students begin their voluntary work in the rural community, a two week training period provides them with a thorough understanding of what they are expected to do, as well as giving an essential insight into the complex range of political, social and economic challenges that communities face in rural Guatemala.
Week One |
Week Two |
Morning |
Afternoon |
Morning |
Afternoon |
Spanish Classes
One to one tuition
5 hours per day
8:00am - 1:00pm |
Training Week One
Presentation of INEPAS and its functions, visits to places of cultural interest in and around Quetzaltenango, films and documentaries of political, socio-economic and cultural interest, lectures and conferences on the history, culture, and politics of Guatemala. |
Spanish Classes
One to one tuition
5 hours per day
8:00am - 1:00pm |
Training Week Two
Informative one-to-one talks about rural communities in Guatemala with a focus on the community in which the student will work, what is expected of the student in his/her voluntary work and finally a presentation of the student to the community. |
Weeks Three, Four, Five, Six, etc |
Morning |
Afternoon |
Spanish Classes
One to one tuition
4/5 hours per day
8:00am - 12:00/1:00pm |
Voluntary Work |
Requirements of The Service Learning Program
An intermediate level of Spanish.
Professional experience or current student status, preferably in social work, medicine, psychology or teaching.
A four-week commitment to study in the school and work in the community. However, for both the volunteer and the community to get the most out of a placement, we recommend a longer period of time.
A serious approach to the work undertaken. Volunteers need to respect the timetables and rules of their placement and take a professional attitude to their duties.
Note: The Service Learning Program is available from February to November.