Globalization and Engagement in Guatemala

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Lake Atitlán, Guatemala | Globalization and Engagement

 

Aerial view of Santa Lucia, Guatemala with lake and mountainsDates: January 16-24, 2027
Location: Antigua, Guatemala
Cost: $2,525
Included: airfare, accommodations, in-country transportation, some meals, language classes, program events, and study abroad fee
Not included: some meals, tuition
Application deadline: October 15th
Deposit: $575 November 15th (non-refundable)
Final payment deadline: $1,950 with spring tuition and fees deadline
Course information: GLEN 225/GLEN 235/GLEN 245

Requirements: In order to attend a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program, students must have a 2.5 or higher GPA. Questions regarding this policy may be directed to Bryan Johnson (johnson_mb@mercer.edu).

Led by Tim Craker and Jason Holloway, this immersive program takes students to Guatemala January 16–24, 2027 as the centerpiece of the Globalization and Engagement Certificate — an interdisciplinary certificate designed for students seeking real cross-cultural and global learning experiences. Students concurrently enroll in up to three interconnected courses (GLEN 225: Languages in Contact, GLEN 235: Globalization and Social Change, and GLEN 245: Interpreting Narratives Across Cultures) that use the cities of Panajachel, Antigua, and surrounding Guatemalan communities as living laboratories for exploring Maya history and language, the forces of globalization, and narrative and place from colonial to contemporary perspectives. No single major is required — this program is designed for curious students from across disciplines who want to earn credits while engaging the world in a meaningful, grounded way.

For more information about this program please contact Professor Jason Holloway (holloway_jr@mercer.edu, 404-615-5416) or the Study Abroad Office (studyabroad@mercer.edu, 478-301-4444).

What You'll Do

During this one-week program, students will:

  • visit Antigua
  • visit Iximche
  • visit Tecpan
  • partake in service-learning activities
  • participate in Spanish classes

*These activities are subject to change based on availability when booking.

Application Process

To apply: Please click on the “Apply Now” button in the overview section and fill out all of the information requested.

Application deadline: ​​​​​​​November 1st
Decision date: November 2nd
Deposit: $575 (non-refundable) due by November 15th to hold your place in the program.
Final payment deadline: $1,950 by spring tuition and fees spring deadline

Academics

GLEN 225– Languages in Contact

Course Description
Students will engage and reflect on languages in relation to one another (rather than focus on one, discrete, “national” language). In this context, students will articulate and practice principles of communication across cultures. This course includes an immersion experience in another language and culture, along with guided reflection on the ways that experience connects to the course.

GLEN 235– Globalization and Social Change

Course Description
Students will identify and define features of globalization and social change from multiple disciplinary perspectives, observe patterns of globalization and social change in at least one case study, and articulate which approach (or combination of approaches) best explains the patterns observed in the case study or studies. This course includes an immersion experience in another culture, along with guided reflection on the ways that experience connects to the course.

GLEN/HUMA 245– Interpreting Narratives Across Cultures and Around the World

Course Description
Students will draw on narrative theory and colonial/post-colonial studies to develop interpretations of narratives constructed in a cross-cultural and/or global setting. Topics may include but are not limited to: Auto-ethnographic narratives, Diasporic narratives, Place narratives, Travel Writing narratives, and War narratives. Students may enroll in additional sections of this course when a different topic is addressed.

Students must take at least 2 of the courses in order to be eligible to participate (GLEN 301+ one of the courses listed above). If students take all 4 courses, then they will earn a certificate in Globalization and Engagement.

Budget

What is included in the program fee: 

  • Airfare
  • Some meals
  • Lodging
  • Transportation in country
  • Entry fees and required activities
  • Study Abroad application fee
  • International Insurance

What is not included in the program fee:

  • Tuition*
  • Souvenirs
  • Some meals
  • Transportation to and from the ATL airport

*Tuition is dependent upon your current enrollment and your college’s tuition fees for the semester of your program. If you are enrolled as an undergraduate in the College of Professional Advancement, each credit is $582 per credit hour. These numbers are subject to change at the discretion of the university. For a current list of tuition costs, please visit the Bursar’s office at College of Professional Advancement – The Office of the Bursar.

Scholarships

Scholarship opportunities:

*Please contact Bryan Johnson, the Assistant Director of Global Education, before applying to the asterisked scholarship opportunities at johnson_mb@mercer.edu.