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Mayan Language Institute in Guatemala
Intensive Language & Culture Program in K’iche’ and Kaqchikel Maya
Antigua, Guatemala | June 16 – July 27, 2019

The Mayan Language Institute is a six-week intensive language immersion program in Kaqchikel Maya and K‘€™iche‘€™ Maya. Students study with both U.S. faculty and native speakers and participate on cultural activities, lectures, discussions, and excursions. With more than 1.5 million K‘€™iche‘€™ and Kaqchikel speakers in Guatemala, the goal of the institute is to help students develop and advance proficiency in their chosen language and to gain a better understanding of the cultural and political contexts that have affected the historical development and preservation of the language. Efforts to protect these languages are playing a pivotal role in the Mayan struggle to regain control over their political and cultural destiny.

Students pursuing K‘€™iche‘€™ Maya will spend one week in Antigua and five weeks in Nahualá, and will be placed with local family homestays. Students pursuing Kaqchikel Maya will spend six weeks in Antigua and will be responsible for finding their own local lodging accommodations and meals. Classes in Antigua will take place at the Proyecto Lingüístico Francisco Marroquín (PLFM), a language school founded in 1969 whose mission is to teach, investigate, and preserve Mayan languages and culture. Students are encouraged to extend their stay in Guatemala beyond the program end date to continue developing their language skills.

COURSES OFFERED: Students will take one language course and one culture course.

• Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced Kaqchikel or K’iche’ Maya language (3 credits – ANTH 6000-7000)
• Kaqchikel or K’iche’ Maya Culture (3 credits – ANTH 6000-7000)

PROGRAM COST: The cost of the six-week program for K’iche’ Maya is $6,300 total:

• $5,000 Tuition
• $1,300 Housing & Logistics Fees
  Tuition costs include six Tulane credits (tuition for two courses, transferable to other universities). Housing & logistics costs ($1,300) include local family home-stays (one week in Antigua; five weeks in Nahualá) and three meals per day (except Sundays), medical insurance, transportation to/from the airport (GUA), and specialized group activities and excursions. Airfare to/from Antigua (GUA), extra meals, and incidental expenses, such as laundry, passport/visa fees, vaccinations, etc., are not included in the program cost.

The cost of the six-week program for Kaqchikel Maya is $5,800 total:

• $5,000 Tuition
• $800 Logistics-Only Fee
  Tuition costs include six Tulane credits (tuition for two courses, transferable to other universities). The logistics-only fee ($800) includes medical insurance, transportation to/from the airport (GUA), and specialized group activities and excursions. Airfare to/from Antigua (GUA), housing and meals, and incidental expenses, such as laundry, passport/visa fees, vaccinations, etc., are not included in the program cost. Students will be responsible for finding their own housing for six weeks in Antigua. If you need assistance finding housing in Antigua, please contact the Kaqchikel Program Director, Professor Judie Maxwell (maxwell@tulane.edu).

FLAS Summer Fellowships This program qualifies as a FLAS-eligible program with 140 contact hours of language instruction. For more information on application procedures, eligible students interested in applying should visit the following: Graduate students, click here. (scroll down to “FLAS Summer Fellowships”) Tulane Undergraduates, click here. (scroll down to “FLAS Summer Fellowships”) The FLAS Fellowship application deadline will be in February 2019. Note that the fellowship application and the program application are separate applications.

Complete applications through the online application portal will include:

• Student‘€™s general and academic information
• Personal statement of intent
• Official copy of transcript
• Copy of front page of VALID passport
• One letter of recommendation
• $50 non-refundable deposit (by credit card online, OR by check made payable to Tulane University; dropped off or mailed to the Stone Center, 100 Jones Hall, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70118.)

Click here to access the online application through the Office of Study Abroad.
Non-Tulane students will be required to create an account. If you have questions about the application or program, please contact Laura by email at sclassum@tulane.edu or by phone at 504-862-8629.
Application deadline: March 1, 2019.

For a downloadable flyer of this program, click here.

This program is offered in partnership between:
Tulane University Roger Thayer Stone Center for Latin American Studies and Vanderbilt University Center for Latin American Studies

For questions on this program, please call 504.862.8629, or email sclassum_at_tulane.edu.

View photos from past programs here:
2014