|  Guatemala
is situated at the northern end of the Central American isthmus.
The country is flanked on the north and west by Mexico, on the
southeast by El Salvador and Honduras, on the northeast by Belize
and the Caribbean, and on the south by the Pacific. Among its
natural wonders are the Caribbean and Pacific coasts, virgin tropical
jungles, majestic volcanoes, and remarkable mountain lakes. This
diversity of nature, combined with impressive colonial cities,
some of the most outstanding places in the Mayan world, and the
warmth of its people, makes Guatemala an outstanding place to
learn, study and participate in a Spanish language immersions
program
Guatemala
is characterized by its ethnic and cultural diversity. Divided
into two clearly marked groups are the Indigens and the Ladinos
(Mestizos and westernized Maya). The Indigens are descendants
of the Maya and are subdivided into several native groups that
form the Quiché-Maya group. The other half of Guatemala's population
is made up of European descendants and mestizos.
 Despite
the fact that Spanish is the official language of Guatemala, the
indigenous groups living in the western highlands speak variations
of the old Mayan languages. Over the centuries, these people have
not only continued to use their native languages, but have also
kept their culture alive by maintaining many of their Spanish
traditions and customs. Learn Spanish Language Study Abroad Programs
in Guatmala offers students a facinating experience including
visits to many of the small indigenous communities and see first
hand experiences of how the people of Guatemala live. If you have
the time, visit some of the local religious sites where Catholicism
has been mixed with pre-Columbian rituals.
If
you are interested in learning Spanish history, Guatemala is a
great place to visit. Throughout the country are thousands of
colonial churches and buildings. The most impressive colonial
city in the Americas is Antigua.
The city of Antigua was once one of the three most
important cities during the Spanish colonial rule (Lima and Mexico
City were the other two). The architecture of the entire city
is done in colonial style. Surrounding the city of Antiqua are
three volcanoes. The combination of old style architecture and
the three volcanoes towering nearby the city makes Antigua breathtaking.
 If
you want to see some Mayan ruins, the best place to go is Tikal.
This Spanish city, once the largest and most important of all
the Mayan centers, is located deep in the jungles of the Peten.
This site is a must see for all Spanish launguage students! Give
yourself at least two days to fully explore the extensive ruins.
We recommend sitting on top of the tallest pyramid and watching
both the sunset and sunrise. It is quite an experience to see
the sun chase away the morning fog revealing the tops of distant
pyramids thrusting upward through the jungle canopy.
In
spite of its small size, Guatemala boasts a wide variety of climates
due to its diverse physical features. The average annual temperature
is 68ºF. In the coastal areas, temperatures of 99ºF have been
reached, while in the highest mountain zones temperatures can
drop below freezing.
In
Central America there is a dry season and a rainy season. The
dry season in Guatemala lasts from November to April, and the
rainy season runs from May to October. During the rainy season,
it is typically sunny in the morning followed by heavy rains in
the afternoon.
 If
you are interested in learning spanish and enjoying mother nature,
Guatemala is a prime language learning destination. Naturalists
have identified more than twelve different ecosystems within the
steep mountains, the forests of the Petén, and the coral reefs
of the Caribbean. On the Pacific coast, the Monterrico Reserve
is a haven for sea turtles that come to shore to lay their eggs
on the beach. In the mountains are areas where one can see the
exotic symbol of Guatemala, the Quetzal. In the Peten jungle live
numerous species of birds, monkeys, jaguars, pumas, and insects.
In and around the coral reefs of the Caribbean, are hundreds of
species of plant and animal life. In this area you will find angelfish,
coral of fire, several species of shark , three types of turtles,
and saltwater crocodiles.
Without a doubt, a Spanish language immersion program in Guatemala
will be a rewarding cultural and educational adventure that you
will never forget!
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