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Study abroad in Guatemala continues to be one of the most popular choices for students who want to learn Spanish. As the Mayan heartland of Central America, Guatemala's indigenous culture remains alive and well today. Over 40% of the population is indigenous and speaks an Amerindian language. Deeply rooted in the rural highlands of Guatemala, the indigenous people continue to follow traditional religious and village customs, and participate in creating textiles and other crafts according to ancestral methods. One of the Mayan's most notable contributions was that of the calendar, stunning for its remarkable accuracy and complexity. Both the Aztec and Toltec nations later adopted this calendar.
Tikal, set inside the Maya Biosphere Reserve, is a truly incomparable sight with its five temples poking above the forest canopy. The highest, at 65 metres, is the Temple of the Two Headed Snake (Temple IV), built around 470 AD. Tikal was an important Mayan settlement for over 1500 years, starting about 700 BC. During the period 300 - 900 AD, the city greatly prospered and the population peaked at 100,000. Tikal's jungle atmosphere lends the temples a beauty and mystery that mesmerizes and allures even the most reluctant sightseer. Howler monkeys, toucans, and other wildlife roam the area freely adding immeasurably to the experience. The historical richness of the Mayan temples, combined with the jungle setting make Tikal one of the enchanted places of the earth. One feels the pulse of the ancient civilization beating gently and insistently beneath the skin of the present day.
To study Spanish in Antigua, one finds a different kind of charm. Genteel cobbled streets and idyllic plazas, are reminders of the Spanish influence on the country. Antigua is the old capital of Guatemala, and was favored by the Spanish due to its cooler climate. The volcanoes that surround Antigua give the Spanish language program an extra dimension of beauty that goes beyond the expected allure of traditional Spanish colonial towns.
Spanish language program in Guatemala offers a wide range of geographic and cultural attractions that make learning Spanish a diverse Central American option and well worth it! For adventurers and ecologically minded student travelers, the diversity of the Guatemalan landscape provides a lifetime of exploration. After morning in the Spanish language program explore the volcanic sand beaches of Monterrico to the Peten rainforests. The wildlife alone is incredible -ranging from the elusive and mythical quetzal in the cloudforests close to Coban to the legendary jaguar in the Peten to manatees in the Rio Dulce. Truly, Guatemala's wealth cannot be measured by the GDP or the percentage of population living below the poverty level. In historical, geographical, and cultural richness, Guatemala is among the wealthiest of nations.
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