Guatemala is a land of color, mystery and heartbreak. Its landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of Central America: volcanoes, lakes, lush rolling hills, colonial cities, jungles and ancient ruins are just some of its breathtaking attractions. Yet fewer nations have suffered more natural and man-made disasters than Guatemala: from killer earthquakes, mud-slides and hurricanes, to economic exploitation, repression and a ruthless, bloody civil war that ended just ten years ago.

An ELI placement will take you into areas most hard-hit by the civil war: the Mayan villages along the shores of volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan. This is the heart of Maya country, where Guatemala's indigenous people have lived for centuries. This was also the site of some of the most vicious killings between the 1960s and early 1990s, when the locals were caught between insurgent guerilla fighters and military death squads that razed villages, committed genocide and forced tens of thousands of people to flee for their lives.

Today, the Maya people, aided by the international community, volunteers and a steadily growing tourism industry, struggle to overcome this bloody past. They are trying to build a better, more secure future while respecting their past -- the locals continue to speak in Mayan dialects (Spanish is secondary,) continue to dress in their unique colorful native clothing, and blend Catholicism with ancient Maya religious traditions.

On weekends you have easy access to some of the most interesting sites in Guatemala.  A boat ride takes you to the lively, touristy Panajachel; you can shop at indigenous mega-markets at Chichicastenango and Solola; enjoy the international travel scene in the charming colonial city of Antigua; or explore the mountainous Ixil Maya towns of Nebaj, Cotzal and Chajul.

Health Internships

This program is designed for students in medical school, nursing school, or physical therapy school. Interns will shadow staff at clinics and health centers in order to learn about the day to day practice of medicine in Guatemala. Interns will be asked to assist with tasks in the clinic or health center based on their skills, interests, and past experience. Please note that interns have no medical responsibilities and will not be treating patients directly. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by clinics in Guatemala as well as the day to day challenges faced by the patients themselves. Participants should be comfortable speaking Spanish and knowledge of medical terms will be a big advantage.

How to Apply

To apply for this program, please submit the application online along with a copy of your resume or CV and the $100 application fee. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable unless we cannot find a placement that matches your request. You can send your application to us at:

ELI

Guatemala is a land of color, mystery and heartbreak. Its landscapes are some of the most beautiful in all of Central America: volcanoes, lakes, lush rolling hills, colonial cities, jungles and ancient ruins are just some of its breathtaking attractions. Yet fewer nations have suffered more natural and man-made disasters than Guatemala: from killer earthquakes, mud-slides and hurricanes, to economic exploitation, repression and a ruthless, bloody civil war that ended just ten years ago.

An ELI placement will take you into areas most hard-hit by the civil war: the Mayan villages along the shores of volcano-ringed Lake Atitlan. This is the heart of Maya country, where Guatemala's indigenous people have lived for centuries. This was also the site of some of the most vicious killings between the 1960s and early 1990s, when the locals were caught between insurgent guerilla fighters and military death squads that razed villages, committed genocide and forced tens of thousands of people to flee for their lives.

Today, the Maya people, aided by the international community, volunteers and a steadily growing tourism industry, struggle to overcome this bloody past. They are trying to build a better, more secure future while respecting their past -- the locals continue to speak in Mayan dialects (Spanish is secondary,) continue to dress in their unique colorful native clothing, and blend Catholicism with ancient Maya religious traditions.

On weekends you have easy access to some of the most interesting sites in Guatemala.  A boat ride takes you to the lively, touristy Panajachel; you can shop at indigenous mega-markets at Chichicastenango and Solola; enjoy the international travel scene in the charming colonial city of Antigua; or explore the mountainous Ixil Maya towns of Nebaj, Cotzal and Chajul.

Health Internships

This program is designed for students in medical school, nursing school, or physical therapy school. Interns will shadow staff at clinics and health centers in order to learn about the day to day practice of medicine in Guatemala. Interns will be asked to assist with tasks in the clinic or health center based on their skills, interests, and past experience. Please note that interns have no medical responsibilities and will not be treating patients directly. This is an incredible opportunity to learn about the challenges faced by clinics in Guatemala as well as the day to day challenges faced by the patients themselves. Participants should be comfortable speaking Spanish and knowledge of medical terms will be a big advantage.

How to Apply

To apply for this program, please submit the application online along with a copy of your resume or CV and the $100 application fee. Please note that the application fee is non-refundable unless we cannot find a placement that matches your request. You can send your application to us at:

ELI