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Program
Overview:
Casa Xelajú |
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 Casa
Xelajú (shay-la-hoo') is a socially-responsible educational
institute in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala promoting cross-cultural
understanding through its Spanish and cultural programs,
social projects, internship program, volunteer work, and
travel services. Founded in 1987, Casa Xelajú is
a cooperative consisting of a core group of teachers who
participate in decision making. A percentage of each year's
earnings is designated for Casa Xelaju's community programs.
With this in mind, Casa
Xelajú has the following objectives:
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To teach visitors
how to effectively communicate in Spanish.
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To help visitors
gain knowledge of the culture, customs, and traditions
of Guatemala.
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To educate visitors
about the social, political, and economic reality of Guatemala.
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To create justly-paid
employment opportunities for Guatemalan professionals.
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To carry out development
projects for people in need in Guatemala and to help groups
that are struggling to improve the country.
Overall Casa Xelajú
is one of the best schools in Guatemala. Everything the school
does is very well organized. The teachers and staff are knowledgeable
and enthusiastic, and it shows in the quality of the instruction
provided to the students. As with most other schools in Guatemala,
Casa Xelajú offers individual instruction as its standard
program.
For those students interested
in volunteer work, the school has an experienced volunteer
coordinator who can help to place students with the various
relief organizations located throughout the city. If full
time volunteer work is not what you are looking for, the
school is active with a nearby Indian community, and there
are opportunities to help these children with school work
in the afternoons.
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Quetzaltenango offers a truly authentic
look at daily Guatemalan life and culture.
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Due to its location, most sites of
interest in Guatemala are within just a few hours.
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The city has an abundance of bars,
nightclubs, restaurants, and shops, enough to satisfy
any taste.
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Quetzaltenango is easily accessible
from Guatemala City.
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In the mountain and hills around Quetzaltenango
are numerous Indian villages and archaeological sites,
all very much worth a visit.
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The area around Quetzaltenango offers
much in the way of outdoor activities.
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For those looking for volunteer activities,
Quetzaltenango is the home to numerous relief agencies.
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Private
Instruction: Private instruction for 5 lessons per
day. Each student is assigned an instructor appropriate for
their level and interests. The student meets with that instructor
for five lessons, five days a week. During a short break,
coffee, tea, bread and pastries are provided. A student may
request to continue with the same instructor or may prefer
to switch after a week or two. Student requests are always
accommodated when possible. All instruction is geared to the
student's needs.
Extra Options
For people traveling together,
it is possible to set up small group instruction. Specialized
instruction is available (Flight Attendants, Pilots, Nurses,
Doctors, Business groups, and Cultural tours, etc.). Volunteer
and internship opportunities are available on a case by case
basis. |
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5 lessons of one-on-one instruction
5 days a week
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Private room with
a local host family 3 meals per day with host family (except
on Sundays).
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Laundry service with
host family.
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Access to email, the
internet, phone, fax service.
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Books, handouts, etc.
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Cultural activities
and ground transportation
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Academic credit available
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Approximately three hours of cultural
activities daily
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Translators
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Free internet
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free organic coffee, tea and bread
during break time every day,
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free access to the school's library
(over 1000 books and video library with over 120 videos/DVD's
and educational movies).
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Start
Dates: Classes start EVERY
MONDAY throughout the year. The only exception to
this occurs when a holiday falls on a Monday.
| HOLIDAYS |
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January 1 |
New Year's Day |
| April
8, 9 |
Easter
Week |
| April
30 |
Labor Day |
| June
25 |
Teachers Day |
| Sep
15 |
Independence
Day |
| Oct
20 |
Anniversary
of 1944 Revolution |
| Nov
1 |
All
Saints' Day |
| December
24, 27 |
Christmas |
| December
31 |
New
Year's Eve (afternoon only) |
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For people traveling
together, it is possible to set up small group instruction.
Specialized instruction is available (Flight Attendants, Pilots,
Nurses, Doctors, Business groups, and Cultural tours, etc.).
Volunteer and internship opportunities are available on a
case by case basis.
Laundry services and weaving lessons are
available for an additional fee. |
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