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Fact Sheet Medical Spanish/ Antigua and San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala
PHASE I: April 6-May 3, 2008 June 1-29, 2008 June 29-July 27, 2008 July 27-August 24, 2008
PHASE II:
April 6-May 3, 2008 The course takes place in Antigua and San Lucas Tolimán, Guatemala. Antigua is a well-maintained, beautiful colonial town located in the mountains, about 45-minutes away from Guatemala City.
The cost of the program is $1550 ($1700 effective June 2008) which includes the following: all lodging, all meals except for those during weekends and field trips, in-country transportation, tuition, and special cultural activities. Not included: airfare, meals during weekends and field trips, required text (Merck Manual), exit fee of $32 (assessed by the Guatemalan government upon departure), laundry expenses (very reasonable), and some miscellaneous expenses (tipping the bus driver after field trips, shopping, internet charges, social activities during free time, etc.).
The course will provide one-on-one instruction in the Spanish language, using the facilities of the “Escuela de Español San Jose el Viejo” (http://www.guate.net/spanish/) in Antigua. Participants will study Spanish language grammar and structure. Due to the individualized nature of the instruction, students at any level of Spanish language knowledge will be able to participate. Students will learn about the delivery of health care in Guatemala through field trips, assisting/observing at Guatemalan health care facilities, and interaction with Guatemalan health care professionals. Program components include:
Weeks one-three: Full-time Spanish-language instruction, with lectures in the late afternoons by Dr. Garcia. There will be a two and one-half day field trip at the end of week one. Week four: Transfer to San Lucas Tolimán at Lake Atitlan for a week of volunteer medical experience at the project's hospital/clinics. NOTE: The full schedule can be found HERE. PROGRAM SCHEDULE PHASE II: COMING SOON PROGRAM COORDINATORS: Alfredo Garcia, MD, MPH, and Sara E. Pirtle, MBA, are the program coordinators. Dr. Garcia is a medical researcher and health consultant in Guatemala City. Ms. Pirtle is the Coordinator of the Office of International Studies and Programs at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.
FOOD AND LODGING: Students will live with a local Guatemalan family in Antigua, and will eat meals with them, except during weekends and field trips. Typically there will be two—six students per family. There will be two overnight fieldtrips with lodging in hotels. Students will also spend the first night in Guatemala (Sunday, the day of arrival) in a hotel in Antigua and will transfer to their host families the next day (Monday, the first day of Spanish classes). In San Lucas Tolimán, students stay in dormitory-style lodging. Meals are eaten family style, with the other project volunteers. All lodging costs are included in the course fee.
Phase I: Six to fourteen participants Phase II: Two to six participants
All UNMC students, faculty, and staff may apply and will be given the first opportunity to enroll. After a designated date, UNMC personnel may continue to enroll, if the course is not filled, but applications will also be accepted from non-UNMC personnel.
The schedule for this program is fairly structured, with minimal downtime. It includes three out-of-town fieldtrips, two of which are held on the weekends. In addition to the three field trips that are part of this program, the Spanish school also offers periodic short educational excursions on an optional basis. There is a nominal charge for participants. During the few free days in the schedule, students have also independently arranged to climb one of the nearby volcanoes, gone horseback riding, gone to the beach, and visited Tikal. The cost of these extra activities varies widely, and can add a substantial amount to the cost of your total expenses for this trip.
Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and tetanus are recommended. Malaria is not common in the highlands, where Antigua is located. During the field trip to the Caribbean coast, however, there will be potential exposure to malaria, so bring effective insect repellent with you.
The elevation of Antigua is similar to that of Denver, so you can expect cooler temperatures in the morning and evenings and warm temperatures during the day. June falls at the height of the rainy season, and one can expect a shower almost every day, in the late afternoon or in the evening (sometimes both). If you are coming in June, don't arrive without an umbrella and/or raingear. The rains begin to depart in July, with at least two weeks of weather without rain.
Guatemala has been the scene of a long, 36-year civil war. Peace accords were initiated during the 1990s, with the last of them signed in 1996. There has been relative peace since then. A presidential election was held in December 1999, with a peaceful transition of power. The crime rate in Antigua is lower than that of Guatemala City, the capital. It is safe to walk around the city alone during the day, but being out alone at night is to be avoided.
Reports from one of our June 2000 participants can be found
HERE.
The application and liability forms can be found HERE. To register, complete the application and liability forms and send them along with a non-refundable deposit to the IS&P office. The deposit for courses is $200 ($250 after May 2008). Checks should be made payable to UNMC International Studies & Programs. Interested individuals are urged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants whose completed forms and paperwork are received after the course has been filled will have their deposits returned. For questions contact: Sara Pirtle, MBA |
