Students lived with host families, attended daily language classes, and learned about Junajpu’s cultural traditions, including its evening farmers market and the colorful huipiles worn by many residents.

Five University of New Orleans students spent part of their summer immersed in the Kaqchikel Maya language and culture during the second Kaqchikel Maya Study Abroad program in Guatemala, held July 6–26. Organized by the UNO Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, the program was based in the predominantly Kaqchikel Maya town of Junajpu (Santa María de Jesús), located on the slopes of the Agua Volcano. Participants included Molly Eschete, Jessica Marisa Sanders, Mackenzie Bransford, Elle Haavie and Eian Bailey.

Students lived with host families, attended daily language classes, and learned about Junajpu’s cultural traditions, including its evening farmers market and the colorful huipiles worn by many residents. Kaqchikel language instruction was provided by local educators Pedro Morejon, Ixk’at Syan, Regis Cuma and Jorge Anselmo, all experienced in bilingual education.

Two days into the program, on July 8, the group experienced two strong earthquakes that caused landslides, damaged buildings—including Junajpu’s oldest church—and disrupted power and water supplies. For two nights, students and faculty stayed on a rooftop as aftershocks continued, sharing music, stories and discussions on the social science of disasters. On July 10, the group relocated on foot to Ciudad Vieja, where classes resumed the following day.

Despite the disruption, students continued with a full schedule of academic and cultural activities. They took part in weaving workshops, participated in a Mayan ritual, explored the colonial city of Antigua, and visited Lake Atitlán. A trip to Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala City included a lecture on the history of disaster studies in the country and opportunities to meet local students and faculty.

For three participants, this was their first visit to Latin America. For returning participant Eian Bailey, who had joined the 2023 program, the experience reinforced his interest in researching urban planning in Junajpu. The program was made possible through the support of the College of Liberal Arts, Education and Human Development, UNO Study Abroad, local partner Asociación Civil Kaqchikel Aj, and the Doris Zemurray Stone Latin American Endowment Fund.

My experience before our summer program was one of many other college students, go to class, get a campus job, study and graduate. After learning of this trip and expanding my travel palate, all I can say is this is only the beginning of exploring new cultures and continuing to practice Kaqchikel and Spanish and expand on them both.

Our time in Guatemala was transformational, as we learned directly from the indigenous and began forging lifelong relationships within the local community. Studying abroad has opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist in Latin America and beyond, allowing me to further develop my skills and deepen my connection to my Latino heritage.

Studying abroad in Guatemala was truly a once in a life time experience. We were even met with some of the struggles of living in smaller and less developed areas. The anthropological experience of this trip is great for any student who is interested in learning or deepening their understanding of a Latino-indigenous culture. As a Latina it was also a great way to grasp cultural differences throughout Latin America.