The Guatemala Leadership & Language Exchange is a summer leadership and cultural exchange program for high school students ages 15–18 from across the United States.
The experience begins in Washington, DC with orientation, leadership activities, and a college visit before students travel together to Guatemala for nine days of Spanish language practice, cultural immersion, leadership development, community engagement, and reflection.
Administered by Partners of the Americas in collaboration with Somos Impact Travel, the program provides a structured and supportive international experience designed for both first-time and experienced international travelers.
The program aims to:
Students
Adult Mentors
Families and Schools
The program is also designed for families and schools seeking a structured, educational international experience that supports leadership development, cultural learning, language practice, and personal growth.
Three cohorts are planned for Summer 2027:
Cohort 1
Washington, DC: June 20–21, 2027
Guatemala: June 22–30, 2027
Return to Washington, DC: June 30
Departure for home: July 1
Cohort 2
Washington, DC: July 9–10, 2027
Guatemala: July 11–19, 2027
Return to Washington, DC: July 19
Departure for home: July 20
Cohort 3
Washington, DC: August 5–6, 2027
Guatemala: August 7–15, 2027
Return to Washington, DC: August 15
Departure for home: August 16
Applicants indicate their availability and rank their cohort preferences as part of the application. Cohort placement is based on student availability, program capacity, and final cohort confirmation.
The program begins in Washington, DC, where participants come together for orientation, leadership activities, and a college visit before traveling as a cohort to Guatemala.
In Guatemala, programming takes place primarily in Antigua and the Lake Atitlán region, where participants engage in language learning, cultural immersion, leadership development, community engagement, and experiential learning.
The cohort returns together to Washington, DC at the conclusion of the Guatemala experience before participants travel home.
Partners of the Americas is an international nonprofit organization with more than 60 years of experience connecting people and communities across the Americas through people-to-people exchange, education, leadership development, and cross-cultural learning.
Partners of the Americas administers the Guatemala Leadership & Language Exchange Program and works in collaboration with Somos Impact Travel to support a structured, educational, and culturally grounded experience for participants.
Community engagement and service learning are integrated into the Guatemala experience as opportunities for students to learn with and from local communities.
Activities will be developed in collaboration with Somos Impact Travel and local community partners and may vary by cohort based on community priorities and the final program itinerary. Experiences will emphasize respectful cultural exchange, meaningful participation, and guided reflection rather than a set number of required service hours.
Students will be supported by program staff and adult mentors as they reflect on what they learn about community, culture, leadership, and responsible global engagement.
Students will have opportunities to strengthen skills that support leadership, cross-cultural learning, and personal growth, including:
While college preparation is not the primary purpose of the program, students may draw on their experiences in leadership, cultural exchange, language learning, and community engagement when reflecting on their interests and goals.
Students also maintain a guided reflection journal that can help them document their experiences, learning, and personal growth. These reflections may be useful later when preparing college or scholarship essays, interviews, or other applications.
The Washington, DC experience also includes a college visit designed to give students additional exposure to higher education and future pathways.
Students with a wide range of Spanish experience are welcome, from beginners to advanced speakers. No prior Spanish study is required.
Activities are designed to encourage students to use Spanish at a level that is both comfortable and challenging. Students will have opportunities to:
For beginners, the emphasis is on exposure, participation, and confidence. Students with more Spanish experience will have opportunities to deepen their language use in authentic settings.
The focus is on growth, curiosity, and a willingness to communicate—not speaking perfect Spanish.
Yes. Bilingual Spanish-speaking staff will support participants throughout the program, and students will also engage with Guatemalan staff, field educators, and local partners during the in-country experience.
This bilingual support helps students navigate day-to-day communication, participate confidently in program activities, and engage across cultures regardless of their starting level of Spanish.
Yes. While the program follows a structured schedule, students will have opportunities for downtime, rest, and informal time with their peers throughout the experience.
Free time may include:
Because participants are minors, independent exploration without appropriate adult supervision will not be permitted. Expectations for free time, supervision, curfews, and the buddy system will be reviewed with students and families before travel.
Each Summer 2027 cohort is expected to include approximately 12–16 students.
We intentionally keep cohorts small to support strong group connections, meaningful engagement, and individualized attention. Each cohort will travel with at least two adult mentors/chaperones and will also receive in-country support from Somos Impact Travel staff and field educators in Guatemala.
Keeping cohorts at this size allows students to get to know their peers and mentors while participating fully in the shared learning and cultural exchange experience.
Each cohort will be accompanied by a minimum of two adult mentors/chaperones who travel with and support students throughout the Washington, DC and Guatemala portions of the program.
In Guatemala, the cohort will also be supported by Somos Impact Travel staff and field educators, providing additional in-country guidance and program support.
Together, the team supports student well-being, group management, cultural learning, reflection, and the day-to-day program experience.
Adult mentors accompany students throughout the Washington, DC and Guatemala portions of the program, serving as trusted guides and sources of support throughout the experience.
Mentors help support student well-being, group dynamics, cultural adjustment, language learning, leadership development, and reflection. They also model responsible travel, cultural humility, and respectful engagement with local communities.
Mentors work collaboratively with Partners of the Americas and Somos Impact Travel staff but are not solely responsible for program logistics, curriculum, or overall program management.
Adult mentor applicants must:
Selected mentor candidates will participate in an interview and must successfully complete required screening and background-check requirements before final participation is confirmed.
Yes. Students will have access to an adult mentor or program staff member throughout the program.
This includes:
Students will not be permitted to independently explore Washington, DC or Guatemala without appropriate adult supervision.
Adult accessibility means students will know who to contact, where to go, and how to get help throughout the program.
Participants stay in pre-arranged program accommodations in Washington, DC and Guatemala.
In Guatemala, accommodations are located in Antigua and the Lake Atitlán region and are selected with safety, comfort, cleanliness, and proximity to program activities in mind.
Students typically share rooms with fellow participants, while adult mentors have separate accommodations. Adult mentors and program staff stay at the same properties as students to provide supervision and support throughout the experience.
Meals:
Food Allergies & Dietary Needs:
Families of students with significant or complex food allergies or dietary needs are encouraged to discuss them with program staff before enrollment is finalized so that available accommodations can be reviewed.
Yes. Students may bring a modest amount of spending money for optional personal purchases such as:
Suggested amount: approximately $100–$200 for the full program, depending on the student's spending habits.
Students should not carry large amounts of cash. Additional guidance about using U.S. dollars, Guatemalan quetzales, and credit/debit cards will be provided to families during pre-departure preparation.
Required program lodging, transportation, scheduled activities, and designated program meals are included in tuition. Spending money is intended for optional personal purchases and is not included in the program tuition.
Student well-being and safety are central to program planning. The program uses multiple layers of preparation, supervision, and support throughout the Washington, DC and Guatemala experience.
These include:
Students and families receive additional safety guidance, emergency contact information, and program expectations before travel.
In the event of a medical emergency, program staff will follow established emergency procedures and seek appropriate medical care based on the circumstances.
A program adult will accompany and support the student when medical care is required, and the student's parent or legal guardian will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible. Program staff will coordinate with local partners and medical providers as needed to support the student's care.
Families will be required to provide complete health and emergency contact information before travel and will receive additional guidance about medical procedures, insurance requirements, and emergency protocols during pre-departure preparation.
Yes. Before travel, families will be required to complete health and medical forms, provide emergency contact information, and disclose relevant medical conditions, medications, allergies, and dietary needs.
Participants will also be required to have appropriate travel and medical insurance coverage for the program. Specific insurance requirements and documentation will be provided to accepted families during the enrollment and pre-departure process.
Families will also receive information about recommended health precautions and resources to help them prepare for travel.
No. Travel and international medical insurance are not included in the program tuition. Families are responsible for obtaining required coverage for their student before travel and providing proof of coverage as part of the pre-departure process.
Families should review their existing health insurance to determine whether and to what extent it provides coverage outside the United States. If existing coverage does not meet program requirements, families will need to obtain additional travel/medical insurance.
Specific coverage requirements and guidance will be provided to accepted families before travel.
Participants are expected to follow the program’s Code of Conduct and contribute to a safe, respectful, and supportive group environment.
Expectations include:
Serious or repeated violations of program expectations may result in disciplinary action, including early dismissal and return home at the participant’s or family’s expense.
The program maintains a zero-tolerance policy for student possession or use of alcohol, illegal drugs or substances, tobacco, and vaping products.
If a violation occurs:
Any response will prioritize student safety, the well-being of the group, and compliance with applicable program policies and local laws.
Yes. Students will have opportunities to communicate with their families during the program, although phone use may be limited during scheduled activities to encourage full participation and cultural engagement.
Students will have designated opportunities to call, text, or message home, and communication expectations will be reviewed with students and families before travel.
Partners will also provide families with periodic program updates and photos when possible. If a significant concern involving a student arises, program staff will contact the parent or legal guardian directly.
In the event of an emergency involving a student, the family will be contacted as soon as reasonably possible.
Student tuition for Summer 2027 is $4,100 per participant.
Tuition includes the core program experience in Washington, DC and Guatemala, including international round-trip airfare between Washington, DC and Guatemala, program accommodations, designated meals, ground transportation, scheduled activities, program materials, and in-country programming and support.
Domestic round-trip airfare between the student's home city and Washington, DC is not included in tuition and is the responsibility of the family. Families may arrange their domestic travel independently or work directly with Partners of the Americas’ designated travel agency, which can coordinate flights and charge families directly for the cost of domestic airfare.
Additional personal expenses, required travel/medical insurance, and other items identified during enrollment are also not included in tuition.
Accepted students confirm their enrollment with an initial $500 enrollment deposit, which is applied toward the total $4,100 tuition. Additional payments are made according to the Summer 2027 payment schedule provided during enrollment.
The $4,100 student tuition includes:
Domestic round-trip airfare between the student's home city and Washington, DC is not included and is paid separately by the family. Required travel/medical insurance, personal spending money, and other personal expenses are also not included.
Selected adult mentors do not pay program tuition or program-related travel costs to participate.
Partners of the Americas will cover approved costs associated with mentor participation, including:
Selected mentors are responsible for the cost of their own required travel/medical insurance, as well as personal expenses such as souvenirs, snacks, optional purchases, and other expenses outside of the program’s covered costs.
The program uses a staged cancellation and refund policy based on when a participant withdraws and when program funds have already been committed or paid on the participant’s behalf.
The $500 enrollment deposit is non-refundable and is applied toward the total $4,100 student tuition. As program planning progresses and expenses are committed or paid on a participant's behalf, portions of tuition become non-refundable according to the cancellation schedule provided during enrollment.
Families are strongly encouraged to review the complete Cancellation & Refund Agreement before confirming enrollment and to consider appropriate travel insurance that may provide coverage for eligible unforeseen circumstances.
The complete cancellation and refund terms, including applicable dates and refund amounts, will be provided to families as part of the enrollment process.
Students must:
No prior Spanish language study or international travel experience is required. Students should be open to language learning, cultural exchange, community engagement, group learning, and reflection.
Applications for Summer 2027 are expected to open in September 2026. Students and adult mentors complete separate online applications through the program website.
After submitting an application, applicants will receive an email confirming receipt and outlining next steps. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and selected applicants will be invited to participate in a virtual interview to assess readiness, motivation, and program fit.
Applicants will also indicate their availability and cohort preferences as part of the application process. Final cohort placement is based on applicant availability, program capacity, and cohort confirmation.
Partnering with or supporting the Guatemala Leadership & Language Exchange Program is an investment in meaningful global learning for young people.
Support helps Partners of the Americas strengthen and grow a program that brings together leadership development, language learning, cultural exchange, and community engagement across Washington, DC and Guatemala.
Organizations and individuals who support the program help advance opportunities for young people to build cross-cultural connections and develop the skills and perspectives needed to engage thoughtfully in an interconnected world.
