Well, it's finalized... when the semester ends in May, dh will take 16 graduate students to teach in Guatemala for about a month. He has done this for the last five years, and now that I'm retired, I'll be going as a volunteer instructor. This will be a special trip because it's dh's last one in this capacity. He will retire in June and pass the baton to another faculty member. I'll help supervise student teachers in exchange for the experience working and living in a foreign country, even though it's just for a short while. Although I won't be paid a salary, my airfare and housing will be covered through the project.
Our university students will have the opportunity of teaching in diverse bilingual schools and Guatemalan students will benefit from lessons taught by native speakers of English. The program continues to be very popular with our university students, despite the economic chaos that's deeply hurt higher education. Students must pay their tuition, airfare, housing, transportation, and meals. So, dh strives to make the trip as affordable as possible by negotiating group rates with the posada (hotel) and the transport company we contract with.
For example, housing will be $20 per night per person for a double occupancy room with a bath. The posada is clean, secure, but very Spartan. The rooms do not have phones or TV, but happily, we will have wireless Internet. The transportation fee of $250 per person includes airport transfers to and from Guatemala City to Antigua, two weekend sightseeing trips (to Lake Atitlan and Copan), and daily transportation to and from the schools. And, for less then $2, one can take a
Most of us will prepare at least some meals in one of the posada's two kitchens so this will save money. A great variety of fresh produce is available at the outdoor market and there is a supermarket for other items. However, if I don't feel like cooking after a long workday, dh knows several good, inexpensive restaurants that serve typical dishes for under $5. So that might be the plan for some of our dinners.
While I hope this will be a memorable and exciting experience, dh has been reminding me it is NOT a vacation. We will be working daily from 8:00 to 4:00 and then hold some evening meetings with our university students. Yet, I look forward to the adventure although I may need a vacation when it is over!
This is a street scene in Antigua, the former capital of Guatemala. In 1979 Antigua was placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
March 9th, 2009 at 04:04 pm 1236614689
March 9th, 2009 at 04:29 pm 1236616196
It sounds like it will definitely be an adventure.
March 9th, 2009 at 04:48 pm 1236617280
As far as the poverty, Guatemala is very poor, but I have been to places that are far worse, so that part doesn't bother me. In my past visits, Antigua has seemed safer, cleaner, and less impoverished than Guatemala City. But even so, it will be a profound experience for most of our students who have only the American school system as their point of reference.
March 10th, 2009 at 12:53 am 1236646409
March 10th, 2009 at 01:38 am 1236649132
I hope you come home with many great memories ! :-)