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GUATEMALA
INTERNSHIPS
INTERN ABROAD IN GUATEMALA
As a developing country, Guatemala’s economy, healthcare system and educational institutions give international interns the opportunity to actively utilize their knowledge and skills to work in and support a variety of professional sectors. In addition to hands-on experience, interns help make a positive impact on the local people and their communities. Guatemala’s population consists of approximately 50% Spanish and 50% indigenous cultures, so your internship is always an authentic cultural immersion experience. If you’re seeking real-world experience in a developing country, an internship program in Guatemala is the perfect option for you!
Whether looking to intern in hospitality & tourism, human rights, education, medical, business, or special education, your internship program in Guatemala gives you the confidence to succeed in your future career. Join like-minded individuals as you study, learn, and gain experience in one of the most interesting and historically-significant countries in the world.
The Maximo Nivel campus includes 2 buildings right in the heart of Antigua, just a block and a half from the Central Plaza. The institute provides a peaceful, tranquil home base in beautifully restored colonial buildings with a central garden, fountain, WiFi, and on-site snack bar. There’s also a rooftop terrace with incredible views of the city and lots of study space to enjoy the fresh air and sunshine.
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Why I Maximo Nivel
Thank you Maximo Guatemala for everything – from giving me very useful tips to bringing me laughs. Thank you Guatemala for always impressing me. I enjoyed every single bit and piece of my life in La Antigua. I am coming back some time!!
Internship Placements in Guatemala
Warm, friendly, and historic—one of the most magical countries!
DENTAL
DENTAL INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala has the largest population in Central America, and its nationalized healthcare system is continuously strained. Medical professionals are often forced to work with inadequate resources, funding, and technology. This is especially true for dental and oral healthcare. As an international dental intern, you’ll learn how to provide patients with the best dental care possible in a limited resources environment.
In Guatemala, dental internship placements are at private and public clinics, some of which specialize in orthodontics or other specialties. International interns are paired with local professionals and paraprofessionals to assist with patient consultation and treatment. You may also prepare materials, sanitize instruments, and perform administrative tasks. You’ll gain professional experience in dentistry, leave with a better understanding of oral healthcare in a developing country, and you’ll also strengthen your medical Spanish terminology. Become a more global professional!
Intermediate Spanish is required for dental internship placements. If your Spanish proficiency is not at this level, Maximo Nivel offers online Spanish classes and in-person Spanish Immersion programs to help build your language skills.
EDUCATION
EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Since 1996, Guatemala has made considerable improvements to their education system at the primary level. Today, almost 100% of the eligible population is enrolled in school, up from just 39% in the early 1990’s. Still, more than 30% of students fail the first grade, making education and academic development a top priority.
Maximo Nivel is dedicated to ensuring a quality, professional international internship experience. Interns are placed exclusively in private bilingual schools, some of which follow the International Baccalaureate (“IB”) curriculum. The classes you assist are taught in English and you directly report to a designated faculty member at your school placement.
Interns work closely with students to improve learners’ academic abilities. Local students, and teachers alike, are eager for your fresh ideas and language skills. During your work, you develop lesson plans, teach classes, and assist the lead teacher. The practical teaching experience you gain is life-changing and gives you a competitive edge as a new teacher!
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala is experiencing a renaissance in its travel and tourism industry. Guatemala’s rich history, archaeological ruins, multicultural population, and awesome sites for adventure and eco-tourism make it a hidden treasure in Central America.
Guatemala’s travel and tourism sector makes up nearly 10% of the country’s total GDP and is expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future. The travel and tourism industry accounts for 15% of all employment in Guatemala, making it one of the most important industries in the country.
International interns work to boost Guatemala’s travel and tourism industry in Antigua–one of the top destination cities in Guatemala. Internship placements are in boutique hotels, travelers’ hostels, tour agencies, or restaurants, and your work directly contributes to the expansion of small businesses through client outreach, marketing, social media, public relations, sales, and guest services.
An internship abroad lets you apply your education and creativity while gaining practical experience that advances your career.
HUMAN RIGHTS
HUMAN RIGHTS INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala continues to lag most other countries in gender equality, education, and indigenous rights. According to recent human rights reports, Guatemala suffers from widespread corruption and poor utilization of resources.
Though Guatemalan law generally protects women, violence against women remains a pervasive problem and law enforcement continuously fails to adequately respond to such cases. As well, indigenous groups remain largely outside of the political, economic, social, and cultural mainstream, even though these groups account for 44% of the country’s population. In regards to education, indigenous girls are significantly less likely to be educated after 14 years of age, making them the most disadvantaged population in the country.
Based on your interests, internship placements are with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Interns advocate for human rights in Guatemala and help provide a voice for those facing severe disadvantages. By working with change agents and social workers who are focused on empowerment and social justice, you help with community outreach, education, research, and fund-raising. Every little step adds to the development of a path to independence and equality. Your Human Rights internships provides you with the professional experience and positive community impact you’re seeking.
MEDICAL
MEDICAL INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala ranks as the most populated country and the largest economy in Central America. However, Guatemala’s universal healthcare system is inaccessible to much of the population, even though it’s a guaranteed right in the Constitution of 1985. Guatemala’s current health-care system lacks funding, staff, and modern technology, which means many Guatemalans receive less than adequate care in both urban and rural areas. Medical programs in Guatemala provide direct experience with patient care and these are some of the best medical projects available for international interns.
Medical interns use their skills to support the healthcare of Guatemalan citizens while learning to maximize care in a very limited resource environment. Clinic and hospital staff value your experience and skills to help assist in the daily services provided. Medical internship placements are in assisted-living facilities, small local clinics, or hospitals. Interns work one-on-one with a staff member, assisting or shadowing, while on site. Activities vary based on the needs of the medical facility. Note, depending on your professional experience and medical credentials, only shadowing, rather than direct patient care, may be the emphasis of your project.
MICRO-BUSINESS
MICRO-BUSINESS INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala is home to the largest economy in Central America and has shown significant development in recent years with an annual growth rate of more than 3%. However, the economy continues to struggle and studies show that if Guatemala can increase its growth rate to 5% each year, a substantial amount of the population would improve their living standards and financial status.
Guatemalan small business owners report a lack of clients as the primary disadvantage directly impacting their growth. This points to the need for marketing knowledge and outreach to international customers. These entrepreneurs need more opportunities and training to expand their services and develop their products, which in turn means they are able to hire more employees and positively impact the lives of people in their local communities.
International interns work closely with entrepreneurs to help make small businesses successful in Guatemala. Your creative approach to business and your understanding of the needs of foreign visitors can help these small companies put growth strategies in place. As an intern, you gain exposure to business practices in a developing economy and practical experience in daily operations, client service, sales, administration, marketing, public relations, accounting, and distribution channels.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
SPECIAL EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS IN GUATEMALA
Guatemala took its first step toward special needs education when the country established its first school for the blind in 1940. Since then, a number of disability laws have been passed which enable people with special needs to participate in education services. While these services continue to expand, Guatemala has also received aid and training for effective special education instructional methods. Despite these positive developments, a large part of the special needs population continues to be underserved.
Your special education internship in Antigua, Guatemala provides hands-on experience assisting professional teachers in the daily management of a special needs classroom. As you give attention to students, you can ensure learners understand the material being presented and their individual needs are accounted for. International interns share ideas, prepare unique lesson plans, and teach lessons based on a standardized curriculum–all while receiving the ongoing support of a designated staff member.
VETERINARY SCIENCE
INTERNSHIPS
60% of Guatemala’s population lives below poverty line, which means pets and other domestic animals suffer many hardships, due to the lack of financial resources to properly care for them. Culturally, dogs are used mostly for protection and this means are often bound by leashes and are underfed. Veterinary care is very expensive for the average family, so when a pet falls ill, it is easier to abandon the animal than to seek proper treatment.
In February 2017, Guatemala enacted a comprehensive anti-cruelty law put in place to protect wildlife, companion animals, animals used for research, and circus animals. This was a major breakthrough for the country, but there is still much work to be done. Veterinary clinics in Guatemala, oftentimes, lack the manpower and resources needed to provide adequate care. As a veterinary intern, you assist professional veterinarians on all fronts to help serve as many animals as possible, including physical examinations, diagnosis, and surgery. You also interact directly with pet owners and help to educate locals on how to properly care for their animals.
CUSTOMIZED INTERNSHIPS
As Maximo Nivel is a locally-based organization in Guatemala, we have built strong relationships with many local partner organizations. These community connections mean we can help you explore your specific internship goals and interests in a very personalized way, and we pride ourselves in offering quality, custom placements in most fields of study.
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