The Guatemalan program emphasizes immersion in and intensive study of Spanish language and Latin American culture.  It is based in the city of Quetzaltenango in the Guatemalan highlands (7600 ft. above sea-level) near the Santa Maria and Santiaguito volcanoes.  Also called by the ancient Mayan name of “Xela”, Quetzaltenango is Guatemala’s second largest city (pop. 165,000), a university town surrounded by Quiche and Mam indigenous villages.  The academic program has two phases:  first, five weeks of intensive, one-on-one instruction in Spanish, followed by ten weeks of continued Spanish instruction involving Service Learning experience (for a total of 8 credits in Spanish), plus coursework  from a range of subjects: cultural and political anthropology, Mayan “Cosmovision,” and Central American history, politics and/or literature.  The Senior Seminar course and an activities and excursions program span both phases.  The program serves students of Spanish, Latin American studies, Peace Studies and a wide range of humanities and social sciences.  Each student will live with a Guatemalan family.  Courses will be taught by language academy teachers and faculty recruited from local universities. Prerequisite: completion of Spanish 211.