Guatemala is known to many as a former Maya empire. The impressive ruins from times long past are still standing in the middle of the dense jungle and attract numerous tourists as well as many adventurous people to study abroad in Guatemala. 22 Maya languages and numerous other indigenous languages are actively spoken. The official language, however, is Spanish, the language of the conquistadors of the 16th century. Most of today’s Guatemalans are of mixed European-indigenous descent.
Facts about the Republic of Guatemala
As a country located in Central America according to iamhigher, Guatemala impresses with its diverse sights: The Central American country is bounded by both the Pacific and the Atlantic. Its beaches are an insider tip for travelers. If you penetrate inland, volcanoes and coffee plantations rise from the dense rainforests, where the famous “highland coffee” is grown. Due to the enormous differences in altitude of up to 4,000 meters, the climate ranges from humid tropical to moderately mild, depending on the altitude.
The center of the country is the capital Guatemala City. Not only does a large part of the population live in this metropolis, but it is also where most of the country’s universities are located. Guatemala City impresses with its colonial architecture with spacious squares and old churches, but also with modern skyscrapers against an impressive mountain backdrop. In addition, lively, colorful markets characterize the cityscape as well as that of all Guatemalan cities. You can get to know and experience all this and much more while studying in Guatemala.
How would you live
Maybe you would live in a little house. People like to sit in the courtyard and often do. The laundry is hung up there or on the roof. Poorer houses may only be partially bricked or made of wooden boards and corrugated iron. In the country you would probably live in a hut with a roof made of palm leaves.
Drinks: Horchata and Atole
Horchata is popular as a drink, namely Horchata de Arroz, made from rice. To do this, rice is soaked in water for a day and then pureed and sieved. It is sweetened with sugar, seasoned with cinnamon and then served chilled. You can find a recipe for this in the participation tip !
On the other hand, atole, which is made from corn dough, is hot. It is also seasoned, for example with cinnamon or vanilla, and sweetened with sugar. You can also add chocolate and aniseed. People like to drink it for breakfast. There is an Atole recipe under Mexico.
How would you travel
Do you want to go from one place to another? Then you will probably take the Chickenbus (chicken bus). These colorful buses got their name from the fact that you sit close to the chickens in them and sometimes you actually take a chicken with you. Nobody buckles up, if there is not enough space, a chair is sometimes put in the aisle. Most of these buses are old school buses from the USA that have been brightly painted.
And – can you imagine your life as a Guatemalan child? What would you like and what would you not like?
Requirements for studying in Guatemala
The admission requirements at the Guatemalan universities are different. Since the individual admission criteria of the university vary greatly, it is best to inform yourself in advance at the international office of the respective university. The same applies to questions about the bilateral recognition of study achievements or titles.
In general, applicants from Germany require the general university entrance qualification to begin studying in Guatemala. Some universities require that an international school leaving certificate must first be recognized by the Guatemalan government. In addition, university-internal aptitude tests can be added.
Foreigners should bring an advanced level of Spanish to study in Guatemala. This is the only way to ensure that they can adequately follow the lesson. But mastering the language is also a great advantage in everyday life, as only a few Guatemalans speak English.
Many of the universities have preparatory and accompanying language courses in their study programs. In addition, numerous language schools have set up in Guatemala. The language skills are officially proven by the DELE certificate.
