Guatemala Study and Serve

2019 Guatemala Study & Serve team, La Labor, Guatemala

Are you ready for a challenge?

Newman University invites you to engage in one of the most powerful experiences of your college career.

Since 2006, Newman University has offered intensive Spanish studies abroad, and more than 115 Newman students and faculty have participated.

How to Apply

Fill out the Guatemala Study and Serve application and reference form below and email to [email protected].

We´ll kick off the summer volunteering with the Sisters of the Adorers (ASC) in their health and education projects near Guatemala City. Next, we’ll visit beautiful Lake Atitlán to witness the courage of local people in their struggle for justice and walk where Oklahoma priest, Blessed Father Stanley Rother served and sacrificed his life. Next, we´re off to the western mountains for five weeks to study Spanish language, history, social reality and culture in the city of Quetzaltenango, or Xela as it´s locally known. Along with five hours of personal instruction a day, our weeks in Xela include site visits, films, speakers, salsa lessons, masses, hikes, soccer, service projects and living with individual host families. After exams and the last writing assignments are in, we’ll fly north to the Mayan ruins of Tikal, spending two days hiking, learning, and relaxing in the jungle before returning to Guatemala City for our journey home.

Amid our language and cultural immersion, we’ll gather for La Noche Newman, a time to reflect and support each other throughout the program. As we build relationships with one another and with our local hosts, we will trace connections to the ASC, the Catholic tradition, our own nation and global community. We hope you’ll join us.

Guatemala Study & Serve

Courses

  • SPAN 1115 Elementary Spanish I Abroad
  • SPAN 1125 Elementary Spanish 2 Abroad
  • SPAN 2115 Intermediate Spanish I Abroad
  • SPAN 2125 Intermediate Spanish 2 Abroad
  • SPAN 3012 Advanced Spanish I
  • SPAN 2143 Spanish Conversation 1 Abroad
  • SPAN 2153 Intermediate Spanish Abroad for Medical Professionals
  • SPAN 3153 Advanced Spanish Abroad for Medical Professionals
  • SPAN 3893 Spanish Field Experience Abroad
  • SPAN 4104 Central American Encounters

*Pre-requisites apply. 8-11 credits possible depending on level. Contact Sonja Bontrager for course selection; placement test may be required. Additional courses may be available for advanced students. Current NU students should enroll in SPAN 3103A Introduction to Central America in the spring semester prior to departure.

Successful participants show:

  • A positive attitude, patience and sense of humor
  • Friendliness and genuine interest in others
  • Willingness to fail, ask for help and try again
  • Compassion and  to listen
  • Conscientious respect for rules/guidelines and the ability to follow instructions
  • Humility and an open, grateful heart
  • Determination and a strong work ethic
  • Self-reliance and cooperation
  • Ability to suspend judgment while learning
  • Courage to try new things
  • Commitment to learning Spanish
  • Willingness and ability to walk and hike
  • Respect for faith/spirituality and other traditions
  • Desire to learn from others and serve

Please contact:

Sonja Bontrager
Assistant Professor of Spanish
Office: McNeill 312
Newman University
3100 McCormick
Wichita, KS 67213
316.942.4291 ext. 2158
[email protected]