| |  GAP YEAR AT-A-GLANCE Your dynamic adventure begins with fall semester in Guatemala where one-on-one Spanish language instruction, home-stay immersion and volunteer projects provide travel skills and structure necessary to expand your comfort zone and provide optimum health and safety. As part of Orientation and throughout program transitions, retreats and fun activities such as zip lining, role-playing and team dinners offer occasion to reflect, develop camaraderie and strengthen group dynamics. Spring semester empowers a more independent experience along with creative semester projects while broadening our borders to El Salvador, Honduras and Belize. Our program success results from an organized initial exposure to the culture complemented by a high degree of support and enthusiasm from program leaders. We systematically “step down” from the well-established infrastructure of our home country to the middle class of Ladino Guatemala and elegant simplicity of the Maya pueblo life. As you gain comfort with speaking the Spanish language and within the culture while honing travel skills that focus on health and safety, the program empowers us to create our experience together. As with any adventure that unfolds in the present moment, an open mind and enthusiasm are the remaining ingredients to ensure a potentially life-transforming experience.
FALL SEMESTER 2009: September 14 - December 12 (download the itinerary)
Orientation Fall semester begins at volcano-rimmed Lago de Atitlan with an orientation to life in Guatemala including cross-cultural awareness and an overview of the culture, history, economy and current political environment. Health and safety are emphasized through travel skills and conflict resolution curriculum while fun activities develop relationships that support your gap-year experience. |
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| Cultural Immersion For four weeks, you are immersed in intensive language instruction with classmates from around the world in the charming colonial city of Antigua, Guatemala. Home-stays with local families provide an authentic cultural experience and reinforce language skills. |
| Community Service Fall semester includes a month-long community service project matched to your interests. Opportunities such as teaching computer skills or English to indigenous children, working in a medical clinic, or improving respiratory health by installing stoves in local homes can be explored. | 
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| Natural Exploration A three-week group adventure to explore the natural and cultural wonders of Guatemala concludes fall semester. Students evaluate the program to date and progress is reviewed for advancement to spring semester. |
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Orientation
Spring semester kicks off with an opportunity to connect with fellow students and develop goals for spring semester. Along with MCR staff, you create an individualized program and define benchmarks that you are responsible to meet and document in weekly progress reports.
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Cultural ImmersionTo achieve a deeper level of fluency, immerse yourself in three weeks of one-on-one language instruction with classmates from around the world. Home-stays provide an opportunity for further integration into the local culture. | 
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 | Community Service
A six-week service project allows you to explore an area of your interest, such as rehabilitating poached animals in the jungle, while living in your own community. You may continue your first-semester project or participate in other opportunities. Magic Carpet Rides guides you through the journey, recognizing that the true educational experience lies in your active learning as a path towards self-discovery. |
Natural Exploration During the semester, Magic Carpet Rides leads team adventures including surfing in El Salvador, snorkeling in Belize and exploring Mayan ruins in Honduras. Share stories, debrief and immerse yourself in the natural and cultural wonders of Central America. | 
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Semester Projects
Synthesize your experience, including photographs and journal entries, into a final creative expression such as a photography exhibit, comparative cross-cultural essay, a DVD or a performance. A two-week focused period allows you encapsulate your learning in a meaningful way to carry home with you.
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