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Guatemala

Dates: TBA

     San Mateo Ixtatan is located atop the Cuchumantes Mountains at 8,500 feet about sea-level in the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala. It is one of three major Chuj-Maya speaking municipalities in Guatemala. It is estimated that 30,000 people live in the municipality of San Mateo Ixtatan with 7,000 living in the town itself and 23,000 scattered among 70 villages. The town center is located 12 hours by bus from Guatemala City. The town of San Mateo has piped, though not potable, water delivered to most houses and at the least, available at a nearby public stand pipe Twenty percent of the population of the municipality do not have access to piped water. The houses and buildings in the center of town have access to electricity, but throughout the entire municipality 27% of the population do not have access to electricity. Approximately 72% of the houses are made from traditional materials such as adobe, clay, and wood while the remainder of the houses are made of concrete block and have concrete ceramic tiled floors. Concrete block houses are much more prevalent in town while transitional houses are more prevalent in the surrounding villages.


Academics:

     This program focuses on creating awareness about the global challenges our society is facing and how to potentially solve them using appropriate and sustainable technologies for water, soil, and air pollution in rural developing communities. Students will earn 3 credits in one of the following courses:

  • CVE 323H - Designing sustainable solutions for developing communities
  • CVE 491 - Independent Study
  • CVE 591 - Special Problems

Housing and Dining:

     While in Guatemala, students will stay in double occupancy rooms. Two meals per day will be provided.

Cultural Activities:

     Students will engage in cultural excursions while in Guatemala including: excursions to salt mine and coffee farms and social activities with local students.

 

Program Fee: TBA
3 URI Credits Accommodation Two meals per day
Ground transportation Cultural excursions  

 

 NOTE: All fees subject to change

 AIRFARE IS NOT INCLUDED

 

Program Deadlines
Application Deadline: May 1, 2013 Final Payment Due: May 31, 2013

For more information, please contact:

 

Program Director URI Faculty-Led Programs Coordinator
Professor Vinka Craver Kelly Watts
Civil and Environmental Engineering Office of International Education
401-874-2784 401-874-2019
craver@mail.uri.edu spoie@etal.uri.edu

 

 

URI Faculty-Led Summer Programs Brochure