Magic Carpet Rides offers two distinct semesters of experiential education. Fall semester immerses you into Guatemalan culture through language instruction, homestays and volunteer service. This structure, along with fun team building activities, fosters development of core travel skills and cultural awareness. During Spring semester, you may explore your passions or academic interests through an individualized project throughout Central America. Group retreats and fun adventures are occasions to come together to reflect on our experiences and develop camaraderie.
Students may participate in either semester or the entire academic year. There are no prerequisites for participation in the Fall semester, just a desire for cultural immersion and an adventurous spirit. Our curriculum is designed so that the spring semester builds upon skills gained during the fall semester, therefore successful completion of the fall semester (or demonstration of requisite language and travel skills) is mandatory for participation in the spring semester.
FALL SEMESTER 2008: September 16 - December 13 (click here to download itinerary)
Orientation
Fall semester begins at beautiful 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, and fun activities develop relationships that support your gap-year experience.
Cultural Immersion
For six weeks, you are immersed in intensive language instruction with classmates from around the world in the beautiful colonial city, Antigua, Guatemala. Homestays with local families provide an authentic cultural experience and reinforce language skills.
Mid-Semester Retreat
Share stories, debrief and experience a team adventure such as white water rafting during Magic Carpet Rides' mid-semester retreat.
Service Project
Fall semester includes a five-week community service project matched to your interests. Opportunities such as teaching computer skills or English to indigenous children, rehabilitating poached animals in the jungle, or improving respiratory health by installing stoves in local homes can be explored.
Semester Finale
Fall semester concludes with a group retreat to share experiences and to evaluate the program to date. Progress is reviewed for advancement to Spring semester.
SPRING SEMESTER 2009: January 6 - May 9
Project Design
The second semester kicks off with an opportunity to chart your intended course of study and specify educational goals for the Research Project. MCR staff provides guidance on curriculum and helps define benchmarks that you are responsible to meet and document in weekly progress reports.
A four-month Research Project is an opportunity to explore in-depth an area of your interest. You may continue your first-semester Service Project or explore other opportunities throughout Central America. 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.
Integration Seminar
To conclude the academic year, all participants convene for a two-week Integration Seminar. Synthesize your year of experience into a final creative expression such as a photography exhibit, comparative cross-cultural essay, or music performance. Back to Top
The second semester kicks off with an opportunity to chart your intended course of study and specify educational goals for the Research Project. MCR staff provides guidance on curriculum and helps define benchmarks that you are responsible to meet and document in weekly progress reports.
To conclude the academic year, all participants convene for a two-week Integration Seminar. Synthesize your year of experience into a final creative expression such as a photography exhibit, comparative cross-cultural essay, or music performance. Back to Top