This Guatemala Study Abroad program is grounded in themes of education, agriculture (plant sciences), Indigenous knowledge, and colonial legacies, critically examining the intersecting issues of culture, politics, land tenure, sustainability, and the environment. Students will engage with community-led Education and Agriculture initiatives, integrated into coursework (PLSC 444 and EFDT 885) and be given assignments that require experiential reflection between North and Central American contexts.

This study abroad will take place during the Winter Term Break, February 2026 (12 days total, including travel days). Exact dates are TBD. There will be mandatory meetings prior to the trip and after the trip.

Educational Foundations Course

EFDT 885: Investigations in Culture and Environment

Investigates the political, cultural, and ecological dimensions of citizenship education through inquiry-based, experiential learning in Guatemala.

Engages students in land and place-based pedagogies, organizational and partnership encounters, and critical reflections on displacement, discomfort, and environmental justice.

Explores global Indigenous knowledges and the impact of colonialism on culture and place, supporting students to translate their experiences in Guatemala into their research and teaching in Canadian contexts.

Agriculture and Bioresources course

PLSC 444: Agriculture Study Tour

Introduces the agricultural, cultural, and ecological dimensions of Guatemala through inquiry-based, experiential learning.

Engages students in direct encounters with local farmers and industry to deepen understanding of local agroecosystems.

Encourages students to critically reflect on agriculture, culture, and sustainability and apply their experiences to their research or professional agriculture practices in Canadian contexts.

Contact Dr. Heidebrecht (Education) or Dr. Kutcher (Agriculture & Bioresources) for more info or to register!