Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in Guatemala
- Guatemala has an extremely high poverty rate, estimated at 59.5% (23% of those live in extreme poverty).
- 8 out of 10 indigenous children are said to be suffering from chronic malnutrition.
- Income equality is very high in Guatemala, with a huge difference between rich and poor families.
- Guatemala is prone to natural disasters, such as hurricanes, flooding, earthquakes and landslides. This leaves the landscape and homes ruined and many people struggling.
- Deforestation and other environmental issues have become a big problem in the county.
WHAT Does the Internship Involve?
- Providing support to students in both one-on-one and small group settings.
- Assisting with and observing classroom instruction and management.
- Designing lesson plans and teaching specific subjects.
- Attending weekly meetings with the school director.
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: EDUCATION INTERNSHIP
LOCATION: ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: HOMESTAY
MIN DURATION: 4 WEEKS
MIN AGE: 19+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
Education internships are hosted at private or International Baccalaureate (IB) schools. These institutions are often bilingual, and the classes you assist with or teach are conducted in English. Each intern is paired with a designated faculty member who acts as their supervisor and primary point of contact.
Placement and Tasks:
Internship placements are carefully chosen based on your personal goals and interests. While the experience is tailored to provide you with valuable exposure to the field of education, placements are designed to benefit both you and the host school. Your responsibilities may vary depending on the school’s current projects and needs.
In-country coordinators are available to provide guidance and support. However, you will need to exercise independence and take on leadership responsibilities during your placement.
Working Hours and Schedule
- Working Hours: Expect to work 4–6 hours per day, Monday to Friday.
- Spanish Classes: Interns participate in daily 1-hour Spanish lessons from Monday to Friday, personalized to match their level and work schedule. Additional preparation or work-related tasks may be required outside of your internship hours.
- Weekends: Free for relaxation, exploration, travel, or personal projects.
Dress Code
Guatemalans value neatness and professionalism in personal appearance. Even in warm weather, beachwear is not appropriate in the city.
- Dress in business casual attire while at your placement.
- Ensure your clothing is modest, covering your shoulders and knees, and avoid anything too revealing or extravagant.
- Maintain a clean and tidy appearance at all times.
Transportation
Education internship placements are located in the Antigua area.
- Commute Options: Walking or taking the bus is the most affordable way to travel. Travel times can range from 20–60 minutes each way, depending on the location of your placement. Taxis are available but are significantly more expensive.
- Orientation: On your first day, a representative will accompany you on local transportation, explaining how to navigate to and from your placement.
- Costs:
- Local bus rides typically cost Q8 (around $1) or less, but may be higher for placements farther from Antigua.
- Budget approximately $5 per day for transportation.
Note: Interns are responsible for their own daily transportation. It is challenging to change placements once the program begins, so be prepared for the travel requirements of your assigned location.
Spanish Classes
As part of your internship, you will take 1 hour of Spanish lessons daily, from Monday to Friday.
- Classes are personalized to align with your skill level and work schedule, with a focus on vocabulary relevant to your internship.
- Lessons are taught using the Communicative Method, emphasizing immersive, spoken interaction. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish by experienced, certified native instructors.
Deliverables
All interns must submit weekly journals and a final project:
- Practicums (less than 8 weeks): Submit either a 10–20-page written paper or a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
- Internships (8 weeks or longer): Submit both a 10–20-page paper and a 1-hour PowerPoint presentation.
Final Deliverables Should Include:
- An overview of the school and your role within it.
- A review of the organization.
- A comparative analysis of the education sector in your host and home countries.
- An evaluation of challenges encountered during your placement.
- A summary of your outcomes and results.
Maximising Your Internship
The success of your internship experience depends on your proactive engagement and adaptability. Expect to encounter language barriers and differences in work culture, structure, and management styles. Embrace these challenges, take the initiative, and stay open-minded to make the most of your placement.
Location
Projects are located in and around the city of Antigua. Which was declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. This is a popular tourist spot due to the pretty colonial buildings and ancient ruins. From the streets and rooftops, you can even see volcanoes towering over the city. Antigua’s Central Plaza has plenty of restaurants, shops, markets, and regular cultural events, making it an exciting city to call home.
Project Tasks
- Assisting with and observing classroom instruction and management.
- Designing lesson plans and teaching specific subjects.
- Providing support to students in both one-on-one and small group settings.
- Attending weekly meetings with the school director.
Food & Accommodation
You will stay with a pre-approved middle-class Guatemalan host family. Internship volunteers will have a private room. You are provided with a key to the house and are free to come and go as you please, we ask you to respect the rules of the family. Our host families live in and around Antigua and are 10-25 minutes walking or by bus from the volunteer centre.
You can also choose to stay in a student residence room, hostel, hotel or apartment, all of which can be private or shared between single genders. Please note, for hostels, hotels and apartments, meals are not included.
Breakfast and dinner are provided 7 days a week* and will generally be of local cuisine. Corn, rice, beans, beef, pork, chicken, cheese, and tortillas form the basis of the typical local foods. Meat stews and soups are very popular also.
Photos below show a typical South American homestay and images of the volunteer centre.
Standard
Projects
- Human Rights Internship
- Medical Internship
- Education Internship
- Micro-Business Internship
- Hospitality & Tourism Internship
- Special Education Internship
- Veterinary Internship
- Dental Internship
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1 Month - $1495
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2 Months - $2195
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3 Months - $2975
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
– At least 19 years of age
– Hard working, ready to learn and contribute!
– Positive mindset
– Able to be creative with limited resources
– Spanish language skills are not required
– Final project required
- Airport pick-up
- Host family accommodations
- Breakfast and dinner, 7 days/week
- 3-4 hours/day practical work, Monday-Friday
- Program and safety orientation
- Walking tour
- Official certificate of volunteer service
- Letter of recommendation
- Spanish language tutoring table
- Tandem Conversation Program
- Office-wide WiFi and computer lab
- Salsa dance classes
- Cooking classes
- Free coffee and tea and on-site snack bar
- Institute is open 7 days/week
- Emergency contact number 24/7
- Flights
- Medical insurance
- Daily transportation
- Travel and tours
- Transfer back to the airport
- Personal spending money
Each project will include a 1-day orientation to familiarise yourself with the local area, rules, safety advice and general information. Your host family will show you the best way to get to/from your accommodation to the volunteer centre. Orientation will include health and safety advice, do’s and don’ts, cultural norms, activities and tours you can do on weekends, and a short walking tour, showing you the local area. You are also able to take a free Spanish placement exam. On your first day the local coordinator will take you to the placement, where you will be introduced to everyone and shown around the project.
Our projects are situated in the Antigua area. The most effective way to get you your project is to walk or take the bus. Travel time can vary between projects, and you should expect to spend 20-60 minutes travelling each way. You may need to change buses, depending on where your accommodation/project is located. Taxis are widely available but much more expensive than the bus.
PLEASE NOTE: You are responsible for your daily transportation to and from your project site. Local bus journeys are very affordable and will typically cost Q8 (about US $1) or less each way but may cost more if your project is further outside Antigua. We recommend budgeting about US $5 per day for transport.
Days and Hours
Working hours vary by placement, but you can expect to work 4-6 hours per day,
Monday to Friday. Your daily 1-hour Spanish classes are Monday to Friday, and you
may have additional planning or tasks to do outside of work. Weekends are free to relax,
explore, travel, or do any independent work you have.
There is so much to see and do around Antigua, including cultural events, tours and treks, and exploring the various markets. The local coordinators regularly post a monthly events calendar to let you know of the activities going on nearby. For more ideas on things to do in Guatemala…
Tikal Ruins
These Mayan ruins are set amidst the jungle of northern Guatemala and close to the borders between Belize and Mexico. The incredible ruins are a little hard to get to but have a spectacular backdrop. The ruins used to be one of the most influential cities in the Mayan empire.
Semuc Champey Pools
Another destination a little hard to get to (think long and windy bus ride) but definitely worth it for the incredibly blue pools of water you will find here, all surrounded by Guatemalan jungle. You can go swimming in the pools too!
Acitve Volcanoes
Pacaya, Santiaguito and Fuego are active volcanoes which visitors can climb up. These 3 are still active but Guatemala also has 37 volcanoes dotted around the country. If you love hiking, then make sure to try one of these treks for spectacular views.
Lake Atitlan
Lake Atitlan is a place where you can easily spend several days. This pretty lake has the backdrop of volcanoes and pretty wildflowers around the edge of the water. There are lots of small towns around the lake to explore, or you could simply relax by the sparling water or try SUP and kayaking.
Indian Nose Hike
This is a spectacular viewpoint which will only take around a 45 minutes climb. Situated close to San Pedro, this mountain is known for incredible sunrises, but we would recommend going with a tour group for this, for safety reasons.
– At least 19 years of age
– Hard working, ready to learn and contribute!
– Positive mindset
– Able to be creative with limited resources
– Spanish language skills are not required
– Final project required
Limited access to education and healthcare, poverty, illness, unemployment and illiteracy continuing problems in Guatemala. Guatemala is bordered by El Salvador and Honduras to the South, Belize to the East, and Mexico to the North. There is plenty for outdoor and nature lovers here, including tropical coastal beaches and lush jungles, mountains, rivers and volcanoes. Guatemala has a population of 14 million people, half of that being indigenous. You will see plenty of ancient Mayan traditions and customs still alive today.
The climate in Guatemala changes somewhat dramatically. In the lowlands there is a hot, tropical and humid climate year-round. The mountain regions are a lot cooler and can even fall below freezing in the cooler months. The climate in the popular tourist destinations in Guatemala, such as Antigua and Guatemala City, is temperate and a comfortable warm temperature.
May to October is the rainy season, which brings short rains usually in the afternoon. This can be a great time to visit, as the landscape are lush and green. The dry season is from March to May.
Guatemala has strong Mayan and Latin influences, with the main language being Spanish, as well as some Mayan languages. The indigenous people are known for their colourful clothing and textiles and Guatemalans love their sport (soccer in particular) and music. The designs of the clothing vary in patterns from which village you come from. Religion in Guatemala varies from Mayan spirituality, Catholicism, and Evangelical Christianity. Muslim and Jewish populations can be seen in Guatemala City as well. A lot of the festivals here are influenced by religion.
30 Years Non Profit Experience
IVI is an Australian charity & non profit organisation founded in 1989 and is one of the pioneers of overseas volunteering successfully placing over 20,000 volunteers globally.
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