Faculty-led Trips in Guatemala
Since 2014, the De La Gente Immersion Program has led genuine, authentic, and transformative learning opportunities for students. These experiences are inspired by the experiential learning methodology developed by philosopher and pedagogue, John Dewey, and echo our mission as a non-profit of creating economic opportunities for coffee-producing communities in Guatemala. The objective of our Faculty-Led Trips is to provide participants with relevant elements of the historical, social, and economic context of Guatemala to understand the particularities of the specialty coffee industry at a local and global level, allowing students to form ideas and perspectives around conscious and responsible consumption. All of this is in safe spaces of cultural immersion.
Our Faculty-led Trips in Guatemala Offer:
Well-rounded academics: Our team has the tools, experience and knowledge to guide your students through the trips.
Service learning component add-on: Choose from agriculture projects, volunteering at coffee fields, and construction.
Fundraising opportunities: We offer a Coffee Ambassador program that allows students and schools to raise money to fund their faculty-led trips by selling De La Gente coffee in their communities.
Full logistics on the ground: Our team takes care of transportation, accommodation, local hearty meals, translation, etc.
Compliance documentation: As a registered US 501(c)(3) non-profit organization we can provide W-9 forms, Foreign Commercial General liability certificates or other documentation.
Easy payment options: We accept domestic payments by credit card, electronic check or paper check.
or e-mail Ronald directly at ronald@dlgcoffee.org
What You Can Expect
Educational methodology
The program is designed based on the methodology of experiential learning of the American philosopher and pedagogue, John Dewey.
Field of focus
We understand each trip is different, and can accommodate your educational needs.
Our experience ranges but is not limited to economics, environmental studies, and supply chains in the coffee industry.
Principles of reflection and action
Diversity, empathy, respect, responsible consumption, analysis and critical judgment.
Why Choosing De La Gente?
Community-Based Learning Opportunities
We’re intentional about working with locals who take the students into the communities where the culture is lived and relationships are forged.
Forum on Education Abroad Participant
In the spirit of keeping our program updated with topics and activities that fulfill the needs of the trip participants, we have attended the Forum on Education Abroad for the last few years.
Local Trip Facilitators
We have a net of experienced local Guatemalan facilitators that understand the needs of international education techniques.
or e-mail Ronald directly at ronald@dlgcoffee.org
Partnering Universities and Institutions
Educational Curriculum
The educational curriculum of our Faculty-led trips divides the contents of the program into three modules:
Historical context that serves as a basis to understand the emergence of coffee production in the region. This context is a tool to analyze social key factors to understand today's country's culture.
1.Socioeconomic history of Guatemala
An introduction to the current models of commercialization within the coffee industry. Additionally, participants will learn particularities about the different coffee varieties, producing regions, and handling processes. All of this will give them an understanding of what specialty coffee is, De La Gente’s commercialization model, and the importance of their role as consumers.
2. Coffee production and consumption
3. Cultural elements, gastronomy and commerce
Its primary objective is to generate safe spaces for cultural approximation through varied daily activities and workshops.
In conclusion, the learning experiences above aim to build knowledge by conducting in-depth and critical analyses the participants can later use to explore possible actions that consciously generate a positive social impact, not only in coffee, but with any other product they consume.
Immersion Program Team
Cultural Immersion Program Manager and Coffee Educator ronald@dlgcoffee.org
Ronald Vega
Anisabel Valladares
Immersion Program Coordinator ani@dlgcoffee.org
Jonattan Escobar
Immersion Program Facilitator jonattan@dlgcoffee.org
or e-mail Ronald directly at ronald@dlgcoffee.org
