Program Length: 1 semester on campus: 6 weeks on-site in Xela, Guatemala

May 15 - June 30, 2010

Credits:
3 UNL credits during the spring semester plus 3 additional credits during the summer

Cost:
$950 (est.) plus airfare (Summer 2010) plus UNL tuition

Eligibility:
Permission of Instructor

Application Deadlines:
November 1

Contact:
International Affairs
420 University Terrace
Lincoln, NE 68588-0682
(402) 472-5358
E-mail: iaffairs@unl.edu
www.unl.edu/iaffairs

Professor Duncan Case
College of Architecture
218 ARCH
email: fcase1@unl.edu
(402) 310-0876

Download as PDF file:
Pop Wuj

Guatemala is home to the Mayan peoples, one of the three great American pre-colonial empires. Over half the population of Guatemala is Mayan. Their culture is evident in the brightly colored textiles they weave and in the ruins of their ancient cities. Located in the highlands of central Guatemala at 8,000 feet, the climate of Xela is surprisingly temperate. Xela is the second largest city in Guatemala and is surrounded by agricultural Mayan villages. It is also surround by volcanoes; there are 39 active volcanoes in Guatemala. A day at the numerous nearby hot springs is a favorite local activity.

History has not been kind to the Mayan peoples. Conquered by the Spanish in 1523, the Mayans have lived under the domination of their colonial masters for centuries. Independence in 1823 did not change the inequalities between ruler and ruled. Guatemala is today the second poorest country in Latin American. The majority of these poor are Mayan villagers. Just recently emerging from a thirty year civil war, many international volunteer groups have been coming to the aid of the Guatemalan peoples. These groups, international non-profit agencies, provide health service, education, social work counseling, and housing to the Guatemalan villagers. Like many larger cities in Guatemala, Xela has many of these groups in its midst.

Pop Wuj is both a language school and a social service agency [NGO]. It has been present in Xela for over 17 years. It was founded by a group of language teachers disenchanted by the "for profit" language schools they originally worked for. All "profits" from Pop Wuj go to the social service activities they support in six nearby Mayan villages: schools, medical clinics, social work, and cooking stove construction. All students at the school participate in these programs as volunteers. Pop Wuj has recently become a partner with UNL in providing an International Service Learning Experience for college students. Participants will serve in one of Pop Wuj's volunteer program

The International Service Learning program is a joint effort of the College of Architecture, International Studies and Modern Languages. Students participate in the program by taking the ISL Preparatory course (IDES497A, 3 credits) in spring 2010 and by signing up for the ISL experience course [IDES497B, 3 credits] for summer 2010. Participants in the program are expected to make formal application during Fall 2009. The intention of this program is to provide students with an experience working in developing countries with peoples in need.

The core experience of this program is assisting one or more of the social service activities of the school: health care, social work, education, or stove building. The program begins with four weeks of language training and cultural immersion. Speaking the clients language and understanding their cultural background is essential to a responsible and sensitive provision of volunteer services. Opportunities for volunteer work will begin during the first week. A specific assignment will be given during the third week and continue beyond the language training for another two weeks. The social services of Pop Wuj are provided in a holistic context of social work programs that address all aspects of a families needs: health care, education of children and adults, domestic violence counseling, employment. Pop Wuj works in only six communities so as to build an ongoing personal relationship with their clients, a relationship that has existed as long as 17 years. Because of this community approach volunteers become aware of the broader needs and context of the families they serve. Volunteers will often work side by side with families and share meals with them.

Because language is essential to social experience, language proficiency is an important aspect of the program. While it is preferred that applicants have some fluency in Spanish, it is possible to attain sufficient fluency through the four weeks of language training you will gain in the program. Because you will live with middle class families for the duration of your stay in Xela, you will learn about the larger society and culture of Guatemala. You will also be able to practice Spanish and learn about daily family life.

The program six weeks long. In 2010, the program is schedule to run from May 15 to June 30, 2010. At their option, participants may extend their stay an additional two weeks.

The deadline for application is November 1. Late applications will be considered if space is available.

The cost for the program is estimated to be 950 dollars US [doesnot include airfare, this is responsibility of the applicant.] This fee covers 4 weeks of language school and six weeks of room and board. It also covers international travelers insurance and administrative costs of International Affairs.

It is customary for volunteers to make a financial contribution to the work of the agency. A suggested amount is $400, but amounts less than this will be welcomed. Participants will need to cover personal and extracurricular costs.

UNL tuition and fees for IDES 497A and IDES 497B will be billed from UNL student accounts and due at the beginning of the spring semester and summer session. These costs are in addition to the program cost.

A list of suggestions for student discounted airfare is available from International Affairs.

Complete course descriptions, more program information, and books about Guatemala and Antigua are available in the International Affairs resource center at 420 University Terrace, Lincoln, NE 68588-0682; 402/472-5358

Academics: Students should discuss general academic information about this program with Professor Duncan Case, College of Architecture, (310-0876) e-mail: fcase1@unl.edu. Students also should discuss study plans with their regular academic advisors.

Financial Aid: For information about applying your financial aid to study abroad programs, contact a study abroad advisor in UNL's Scholarships and Financial Aid Office (OSFA). (472-2030).

Administrative Details: For applications and details about studying abroad, see additional resource materials or contact a study abroad advisor at International Affairs, 420 University Terrace, 47208768.

Related Programs: Other UNL programs in Latin America are offered through ISEP, ISA, IFSA-Butler, and AIFS.