Students from the Department of Modern Languages will be taking a trip to Guatemala this summer to study Latin American culture in a rich environment full of native history.

Previously, the study abroad trip was planned for Colombia. After a governmental restriction was placed on the country, Guatemala became the new destination.

“The essence of a study abroad program is to expand the paradigm of students’ learning experience, as well as adopt new perspectives,” said Rachel Spaulding, assistant professor of modern languages.

Spaulding said that students should be allowed to “fight the perception of what Columbia is, rather than accept the stereotype that the government has given the country.”

The trip will take place in the summer of 2018 and students are encouraged to fill out an application.

“There are 12-15 spots to fill for this trip,” said Greg Robinson, associate professor of modern languages. “Three to five spots have already filled up because there is such an interest in going to Guatemala.”

The trip will last two weeks and students will study one week in Guatemala City and a week near Lake Atitlan.

“During our four weeks abroad, we’ll take a couple of university classes…and hopefully get to sightsee,” said Kathryn Kienholz, freshman health promotion major who will be studying abroad with the group.

Students will be enrolled in six credit hours for a Spanish language course and cultural course.

“It would be very beneficial for students attending the trip to have a background knowledge of speaking Spanish,” Robinson said.

Any student interested in studying abroad in Guatemala should contact Spaulding or Robinson.