I learned about the cultural, historical, and political aspects of Guatemala through conferences from university professors, ambassadors, and other figureheads, providing a well-rounded outlook on the country and how all these factors play into the patient-physician relationship in the US
- Antonette Shaw
In order to enhance holistic cultural understanding, Somos Hermanos offers a variety of field trips, activities, lectures, and discussions. This provides the participants with classroom and hands-on exposure to various aspects of life in Latin America and the diversity and intricacies of Latin American cultures. Within the lecture and discussion series we examine a wide spectrum of topics including history, economics, and politics in order to discover how each pertains to local & international public health and immigration. We feel that understanding these intricacies are key to providing the highest level of health care possible to Latino and immigrant patients.
Lectures:
Lectures held each week. They are given in Spanish by university professors and local experts. Additionally, participants are provided with 2-4 articles pertaining to the theme of each lecture and discussions are held on a weekly basis before each lecture to talk about the theme of the week. Lecture topics may include:
- Mayan History
- Indigenous Dress
- Independence of Central America
- The Civil War in Guatemala
- War Testimony
- The Peace Accords and Their Implementation
- REMHI: Recovering Historical Memories
- Corruption and the Elite in Guatemala
- Women in Guatemala
- Neoliberalism and Privatization
- Free Trade Agreements - CAFTA/NAFTA
- Mining and Environment
- The Politics of Migration
- Testimony of an Immigrant to the U.S.
- Health Care System in Guatemala
- Tropical Diseases in Guatemala
- HIV/AIDS in Guatemala
- Traditional Medicine - midwifery
- Rural Health
Weekly Activities:
Students are offered a variety of weekly activities throughout the program. Weekly activities may include:
- Movies pertaining to the topics covered in the lecture series
- Salsa lessons
- Weekend hikes
- Visits to surrounding communities
- Group reflections
- Guitar and Marimba lessons (price not included in tuition)
Weekend Field Trips:
Additionally, during the weekends, students travel to different areas of Guatemala for a variety of culturally-relevant field trips. Field trips may include:
- Coffee Plantation and Hot Baths in Almolonga
- Weekend Trip to Earthlodge in Antigua
- Hike to the Caldera of Chicabal (Sacred Mayan Ceremonial Grounds)
- Indigenous Market of Momostenango
- Family-Run Weaving Workshop
- Beach Trip to Tilapita
- School/Clinic Construction Project with PEILE
- Mayan Temples in Mexico
- Hike up Volcano Santa Maria
- Weekend Trip to Lake Atitlan
- Weekend Volunteer Project with Café Conciencia and AIDG (appropriate technologies)
- Indigenous Market of Chichicastenango
- Mountain Hike in Nebaj
- Xocomil – Water Park
- Hike up Cerro Quemado
- Cultural Museums