Where are we going?

Our trips are to Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, in the western highlands. Xela (the city’s Mayan name) is a colonial city, with cobblestone streets, built on the side of a mountain. Walking is the mode of transportation. Xela is at a high altitude (nearly 8,000 feet above sea level) which can make breathing difficult for some people.

 

We will be living with host families during our stay, giving us the “real” flavor of life there – not a tourist’s taste! The families are generally lower middle-class, so conditions can be very basic.

Participants must be over 18 years of age and in basically good health.

What will we be doing?

We will be attending a foreign language school in the morning, with optional cultural field trips during the afternoon/evening and weekends. Past activities have included:

• a visit to the home of a local artisan family, complete with a weaving lesson

• a trip to a local chocolate factory

• a weekend trip to the beautiful Lake Atitlán

• a visit to Chichicastenango, one of the top-rated markets in the world

• hiking in the mountains

• ziplining through the rainforest (optional excursion)
  

What’s the school like?

The school we will be attending is specially designed for foreigners who wish to learn Spanish. We will have 25 hours a week of one-on-one classes with a certified native speaker. The focus is on conversation and interaction, as opposed to a traditional classroom setting.

What level of Spanish do I have to have?

As every student has his/her own teacher at the school, any level from beginner to advanced is welcome! On our past trips we have had participants with a wide range of Spanish ability.

Guatemala '08 Group and local hosts

Guatemala '09 (l. to r.) Sandy Fuller, Lee Shrader, Paul Coulter, and Holly Shrader were among the participants in our 2009 trip.

Why go abroad?

• Greatly increase your conversational ability – fast!
  
• Personal growth
  
• A fun adventure
  
• New friendships

When is the next trip?

June or July 2011
Deposit of about $1,500

will be due March, 2011.

Want more information?

Contact Marianne Canario at mcanario@imiohio.com.

Guatemala '09 (l. to r.) Nelson Canario, Dana Buzzelli, Arnie Colvin, and Kirsten Battaglia were also participants of our immersion trip.

“My teacher was really awesome and concentrated on what I wanted to learn. My host family went above and beyond what I expected and was always willing to talk with me; I felt very welcome in their home.” (Dana Buzzelli)

"My wife and I have traveled quite a bit with professional travel companies, and we found that Marianne Canario's organization and preparation for her trips, as well as the completeness of the information she provides to potential participants, exceeded our best experiences to date." (Lee Shrader)

Is this a good value?

You be the judge. The 2011 estimated cost of $2,600 covers ALL of the following:

• 50 hours of Spanish tutoring with your own Guatemalan teacher
  
• 2 weeks of room and board (3 meals/day) with a Guatemalan family
• activities, films, lectures, dance classes, etc.
• weekend excursions to Lake Atitlán and Antigua
• round-trip airfare (Cleveland - Guatemala City) and ground transportation to and from Quetzaltenango