Study abroad in Guatemala: costs and financing
All universities in Guatemala have tuition fees. They vary greatly depending on the university, degree and subject. International applicants should generally be prepared for higher fees than local students. You can calculate around EUR 650-2,500 per year. In addition, there are usually enrollment fees of EUR 50-60.
Accommodation
The cost of living in Guatemala is lower compared to Germany. However, life in Guatemala City is far more expensive than in the country. The level of comfort in Guatemala is generally much lower than in many German cities. A popular option for students is to live with a host family or in a shared apartment. On the other hand, places in student residences are rare.
Foreign BAföG and scholarships
A study visit to Guatemala can be funded from various sources. The international BAföG provided by the federal government is a good choice. It is independent of domestic BAföG funding and can be paid for up to twelve months.
The DAAD also has various programs for different subjects and degrees, such as the PROMOS mobility program. There are also many other scholarships, for example from research institutions or cultural, political or social organizations. Here it is important to be well informed in advance.
Another way to finance your studies in Guatemala is with low-interest education and student loans.
Visa and entry into Guatemala
To enter Guatemala, a country located in Central America according to remzfamily, you need a passport that is valid for at least six months. German citizens do not need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. You will receive a residence permit directly upon arrival.
A visa must be applied for if you want to study in Guatemala for more than three months. The application goes through the immigration office, the Dirección General de Migración.
Unfortunately, Guatemala is not a very safe country. You should always be aware of this and exercise appropriate caution. This includes not going out on the streets alone at night, avoiding certain areas and not showing valuables and money in public.
In addition, earthquakes occur time and again in Guatemala. The best thing to do is to find out more about the current threat situation from the Foreign Office before leaving. You should take out private foreign health insurance in Germany for a study visit to Guatemala, so you are on the safe side in the event of illness.
Eating in Guatemala
Eating out in Guatemala
Corn and beans are the main ingredients in Guatemala’s cuisine. The cuisine is influenced by the ancient Maya culture. There were also Spanish influences from the colonial era. There are great similarities to the eating habits in neighboring countries, for example Mexico or Honduras. Unlike in Mexico, however, people eat a lot less spicy.
Tortillas and Tamales
As in Mexico, there are tortillas, flat corn cakes, with almost every meal. Also guacamole, a thick sauce made of avocado, one may in Guatemala very much.
Tamales are called steamed corn dough in corn leaves or plantain leaves, sometimes they also contain meat or cheese. They are available as red tamales with tomato sauce and annato as a spice, as well as black tamales with chocolate, raisins and almonds or made from dark corn.
Meat and fish, vegetables and fruits
Meat is mainly made from chicken and beef, and fish is also popular. In addition to the (pureed!) Black beans (frijoles), people like chayotes or sweet potatoes as vegetables. It is often seasoned with chili peppers. Fruit is in abundance, for example bananas, pineapples, papaya, oranges, mangoes, maracujas (passion fruits) and sapotes (porridge apple).
Pepián and corn pockets with loroco
A typical specialty is also pepián, a stew with meat, pumpkin seeds, tomatoes and many other ingredients. Pepián is a dish of the Cakchiquel, a Mayan ethnic group, and dates back to before the Spanish conquest. Filled corn pockets (empanadas de Loroco) are another delicacy. They are filled with cheese or ham and fruits from the Loroco plant.
Breakfast in Guatemalan
A typical breakfast includes black beans, baked plantains, and guacamole. There are also tortillas.
Fiambre
Fiambre is served on November 1st and 2nd, on the Day of the Dead and All Souls Day. This is a salad that is eaten chilled. It can contain up to 50 ingredients. It originated from the tradition of bringing the deceased their favorite food to the cemetery on the day of the dead. Because each family brought something different, the ingredients were mixed up to make Fiambre. Every region and even every family has its own recipe. It often contains sausages and sausage, chicken, corncobs and pickled onions, flowers of the Pacaya palm, cheese and olives.
