Art Alfombra Holy Week Program Antigua, Guatemala Student Handbook 2017 - 2018
Casa Herrera Staff and Emergency Contacts
Milady Casco On-Site Coordinator Casa Herrera Cell: 011-502-5704-1338 Office: 011-502-7832-0760
Dr. Astrid Runggaldier Assistant Director The Mesoamerica Center Cell: 617-780-7826 Office: 512-471-6292
Table of Contents
ABOUT CASA HERRERA ...... 1 PURPOSE ...... 1 FACILITIES OVERVIEW...... 1 FACULTY/STAFF ...... 2 LENT AND HOLY WEEK ...... 5 WHAT ARE LENT AND HOLY WEEK?...... 5 WHAT IS HOLY WEEK LIKE IN ANTIGUA GUATEMALA? ...... 7 IMPORTANT TERMS, ACTIVITIES, AND MOMENTS OF HOLY WEEK ...... 7 HELPFUL TIPS FOR HOLY WEEK IN ANTIGUA...... 9 LIFESTYLE AND CULTURE ...... 14 BRIEF HISTORY OF ANTIGUA ...... 14 LAND AND CLIMATE ...... 15 LANGUAGES...... 15 PUBLIC HOLIDAYS ...... 15 CULTURAL DIFFERENCES ...... 15 Cultural Sensitivity to Diverse Populations ...... 16 Daily Pace and Lifestyle ...... 16 Etiquette ...... 17 Gender Issues and Sexual Values...... 18 BUDGET AND SPENDING ...... 20 GUATEMALAN CURRENCY ...... 20 PLANNING AND PERSONAL BUDGET...... 20 Culture of Bargaining...... 21 Cash ...... 21 Traveler’s Checks ...... 22 ATMs...... 22 Credit Cards ...... 22 Wire Transfers ...... 23 PROTECTING YOUR FINANCES ...... 23 LODGING,MEALS AND HOUSEKEEPING NEEDS ...... 24 CASA HERRERA BEDROOMS...... 24 Architectural Design of Antigua Buildings (Inside/Outside Spaces)...... 24 Meals ...... 25 Laundry...... 25 Electrical Information/Energy Conservation...... 25 OTHER CASA HERRERA INFO...... 26
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COMMUNICATION ...... 27 MAIL...... 27 INTERNET ...... 27 INTERNATIONAL CALLING, PHONES, AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES ...... 28 HEALTH AND SAFETY...... 29 INSURANCE...... 29 INTERNATIONAL SOS ...... 29 ISIC CARD...... 30 SPECIAL MEDICAL NEEDS ...... 30 Other Special Needs...... 30 STAYING HEALTHY ...... 30 General Tips...... 30 Digestive Problems ...... 31 Immunizations ...... 32 Mosquitoes and Viral Diseases ...... 32 PERSONAL SAFETY ...... 33 Relationships and Safe Sex ...... 35 Special Considerations for Women ...... 36 Special Considerations for LBGTQ Students...... 36 EMERGENCY/NATURAL DISASTER SAFETY ...... 36 Earthquakes...... 36 Volcanoes...... 38 TRAVEL DOCUMENTS...... 40 PASSPORT ...... 40 VISAS ...... 40 TRAVEL RESOURCES ...... 41 INTERNATIONAL SOS TRAVEL BRIEFING...... 41 OTHER RESOURCES ...... 41 PACKING ...... 42 CASA HERRERA POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ...... 44 STUDENT DISCIPLINARY ISSUES...... 47 CODE OF CONDUCT...... 47 RESPONSIBILITIES OF PARTICIPATION...... 48 Dismissal Policy...... 48 DISCLAIMER FOR CASA HERRERA PROGRAM...... 50
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About Casa Herrera
Housed in one of the great colonial mansions of Antigua Guatemala, Casa Herrera is a research, conference, and teaching facility operated by the Department of Art and Art History in the College of Fine Arts of The University of Texas at Austin. As an extension of the university’s Mesoamerica Center, the Casa Herrera focuses on the varied and inter-related disciplines that contribute to the study of Pre-Columbian art, archaeology, history, and culture.
Casa Herrera's setting in Antigua provides an ideal venue for scholars and students to explore and experience the rich heritage of Guatemala, as well as its broader setting in Mesoamerican history and culture. Casa Herrera serves as a flexible, interdisciplinary site for conferences, workshops, exhibitions, lectures, public programs, as well as a venue for selected residential scholars who can make use of its comfortable and quiet workspace for specific research projects.
Purpose Casa’s mission is to create new opportunities for education, research, and service by facilitating learning and dialogue among scholars and students in various fields of study, from many institutions in Central America and beyond.
As a study abroad student, you will take part in this process by engaging and learning from UT faculty and local/international guest speakers specializing in areas such as anthropology, archaeology, education, history, linguistics, literature, Pre-Columbian art, performance studies and much more. Several of these scholars have devoted many years cultivating academic relationships in Guatemala and collaborating with Guatemalan scholars on various investigative projects. Facilities Overview Originally built around 1680, Casa Herrera was fully and beautifully restored in 2008 under the careful auspices of its owners, the Fundación Pantaleón, who have generously granted its use to The University of Texas at Austin. Fifteen rooms surround its central open courtyard, including a main lecture hall, seminar rooms, offices, a full kitchen, and five dormitories for residential scholars. Casa Herrera is centrally located just one-block north of Antigua’s Central Park. 1 Updated 3/15/17
Faculty/Staff
Dr. David Stuart Director The Mesoamerica Center and Casa Herrera
David Stuart's interests in the traditional cultures of Mesoamerica are wide-ranging, but his primary research focuses is the archaeology and epigraphy of ancient Maya civilization. He received his PhD in Anthropology from Vanderbilt University in 1995 and taught at Harvard University for eleven years before arriving at UT Austin in 2004, where he teaches in the Department of Art and Art History. Stuart regularly conducts field research at numerous archaeological sites in Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras, mostly focusing on the documentation and study of Maya sculpture and inscriptions. His major research focus of late is on the art and epigraphy at Copan (Honduras), Palenque (Mexico), and Piedras Negras, La Corona, and San Bartolo (Guatemala). Stuart's early work on the decipherment of Maya hieroglyphs led to a MacArthur Fellowship in 1984. His publications include Ten Phonetic Syllables (1987), which laid much of the groundwork for the now-accepted methodology of Maya hieroglyphic decipherment. In 2003 he published a volume in the ongoing Corpus of Maya Hieroglyphic Inscriptions series (Peabody Museum, Harvard University), devoted to drawings and photographs of sculpture from Piedras Negras, Guatemala. His most recent book is The Order of Days: The Maya World and the Truth about 2012 (Random House). Stuart's research and contributions to Maya studies were recently featured in the award-winning PBS documentary "Cracking the Maya Code" (NightFire Films, 2008). Stuart is Director of The Mesoamerica Center at The University of Texas at Austin, which fosters multi- disciplinary studies on ancient American art and culture. He also oversees the activities of the newly established Casa Herrera, the university's academic research center in Antigua, Guatemala, devoted to studies in the art, archaeology and culture of Mesoamerica.
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Dr. Astrid Runggaldier Assistant Director The Mesomerica Center and Casa Herrera
Astrid Runggaldier is the Assistant Director for the Mesoamerica Center and oversees programming of educational, scholarly, and public activities for the Mesoamerica Center at UT Austin and Casa Herrera in Antigua, Guatemala. Dr. Runggaldier is a Mesoamericanist interested in particular in Maya culture and in anthropological approaches to architecture, households, and built environments in the context of the ancient civilizations of the Americas. She holds a doctorate in archaeology from Boston University with a dissertation on the architecture of the Maya site of San Bartolo, has extensive field experience in Guatemala and Belize, and has been leading study abroad programs in Central America for UT Austin and other US institutions for several years. Following administrative and teaching experiences at Boston University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and Skidmore College, Dr. Runggaldier joined UT Austin and the Mesoamerica Center in 2012 as lecturer and faculty leader of international programming. Since then, she has undertaken management of daily operations and of special initiatives for the Mesoamerica Center. She additionally manages UT’s Art and Art History Collection of Pre-Columbian artifacts and ethnographic textiles from the Americas, and contributes to the teaching of undergraduate classes in the Department of Art and Art History.
Milady (Mily) Casco On-Site Coordinator Casa Herrera
Under the direction of the Senior Program Coordinator, Milady provides on-site general management and program administration of all aspects of Casa. Milady works with University faculty and staff for on-site coordination of study abroad programs, including organizing accommodation with host families for students; accompanying faculty and students on excursions; and organizing orientation and cultural activities. Milady serves as the 24-hour emergency contact for study abroad programs taking place at Casa. She also acts as the UT
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representative for outreach activities and manages rentals of Casa facilities for special events.
Milady originally hails from California and received her B.A. in Art History and Spanish Studies from Santa Clara University in 2004. As an undergrad, Milady completed a study abroad program in Madrid, Spain, and following graduation returned various times to learn more about the city’s cultural art scene. In 2010, Milady completed an M.A. in Art Education at The University of Texas at Austin, where she had the opportunity to arrive to Casa Herrera for the first time as a graduate student and participate in Casa’s academic residency program. Professionally, Milady has worked for various non-profit organizations in performing arts, visual arts, and education in California, Spain, and Texas. Milady has been living in Antigua Guatemala and working at Casa Herrera since 2011.
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Lent and Holy Week
What are Lent and Holy Week? Lent is a religious observance in Catholic and Christian faiths that lasts approximately six weeks, beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending the Saturday before Easter Sunday. In Guatemala, Lent (or Cuaresma) is observed with weekly mass, elaborate processions, holy vigils, and sometimes fasting. It is a time of spiritual reflection, personal sacrifice, atonement, and rebirth.
Lent commemorates the period of time when Jesus Christ, following his baptism, journeys to the Judaean desert and fasts for 40 days and 40 nights and is tempted by the Devil. When Jesus successfully refuses all temptation, he leaves the desert and returns to Galilee to begin his public ministry.
Holy Week (or Semana Santa) is the final week of Lent and commemorates the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here is a play-by-play of the week to help you understand the visual narrative of processions and church vigils in Antigua:
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Palm Sunday 1st day of Holy Week. Jesus triumphantly and peacefully rides into Jerusalem on a donkey. As he enters, townspeople celebrate his arrival by laying down palm fronds in his path.
Holy Monday 2nd day of Holy Week.
Holy Tuesday 3rd day of Holy Week.
Holy Wednesday 4th day of Holy Week. The Sanhedrin of Jerusalem (a council of appointed elders) plot to kill Jesus. The apostle Judas Iscariot decides to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver. The Taking of Christ, Caravaggio, c. 1602,
oil on canvas Holy Thursday 5th day of Holy Week. Jesus dines with his twelve apostles, known as the Last Supper. During this meal, Jesus predicts that one of his apostles will betray him. Following the meal, Jesus retreats to the Garden of Gethsemane with his apostles to pray. Eventually, armed police arrive and arrest Jesus after Judas Iscariot identifies him with a kiss (known as “the kiss of Judas”). Jesus is taken to the Sanhedrin and spends the night in jail.
Good Friday 6th day of Holy Week. Jesus is sent to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate for judgment. The Sanhedrin accuses Jesus of conspiring against Rome by refusing to pay taxes and calling himself a king. Upon learning that Jesus is originally from Galilee, Pilate sends him to Herod (the ruler of Galilee) for judgment. After determining that Jesus poses no threat, Herod sends him back to Pilate for trial.
Pilate does not find Jesus guilty of any charges, nor does Jesus admit or deny that he is the Son of God. The public, however, demand Jesus be punished by death for his treason. Pilate eventually concedes to the public protest and orders Jesus to be crucified.
Following the sentence, Jesus is Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”), Antonio flogged and ridiculed. Roman soldiers Ciseri, 1871, oil on canvas mock Jesus by dressing him in a purple
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robe, placing a crown of thorns on his head, and declaring him “King of the Jews”. Jesus is finally crucified, along with two thieves, and eventually dies on the cross at approximately 3pm. Jesus’ body is eventually taken down and buried by his disciples.
Holy Saturday 7th and final day of Holy Week. The body of Jesus rests in a tomb. Holy Week ends.
Easter Sunday (or Resurrection Day or Day of Glory) God resurrects Jesus from the dead. Jesus then takes his place alongside his Father in heaven. Easter Sunday is considered the first day after Holy Week.
What is Holy Week Like in Antigua Guatemala? Aside from its religious significance, Holy Week in Guatemala is a popular vacation time for Guatemalans. Similar to spring break in the United States, schools close for the week and students have vacation. Employers normally grant employees time off starting from Holy Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Many Guatemalans take advantage of this free time to travel to popular vacation spots such as Antigua. Therefore, Antigua not only attracts foreign tourists during Holy Balloon vendor walking the streets of Week, but also hundreds of national Antigua on Holy Thursday. tourists looking to partake in the city’s festivities and have a good time.
Holy Week is the most important public celebration of Antigua. The city literally transforms into a giant stage, where the central protagonist of this elaborate production is Jesus Christ. Hundreds of people from the local area and across Guatemala flock to the city to participate as carriers or “cucuruchos” in the processions, to serve as band members in the marching bands, to set up food kiosks, to sell souvenirs and trinkets on the street, to provide security for visitors, etc. The atmosphere is celebratory and fun, while also being marked by moments of solemnity and religious tradition as people honor the life and death of Jesus. Important Terms, Activities, and Moments of Holy Week
Processions – involve ushering a sacred image of Christ on a giant wooden platform (called an anda) throughout the streets of Antigua to commemorate his life and death. Each Catholic church in Antigua has its own image of Christ, many of them dating back to the colonial period. The andas are elaborately decorated by church parishioners with flowers, architectural motifs carved from foam, and images of other saints and/or
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angels. A marching band that plays funerary music also accompanies a procession throughout its duration.
Cucuruchos – are males young and old dressed in purple robes (often styled as shepherds) that carry the andas in processions (similar to pallbearers). To carry in a procession is considered a great honor. Each cucurucho must pay for a spot to carry during the procession and is also responsible for purchasing his robes. On Good Friday, cucuruchos wear black robes as a sign of mourning. Some commit to carrying as an act of personal sacrifice, atonement, and/or thanks, while others commit because it is a family and cultural tradition.
Women young and old also carry during the processions. Behind every platform with a Christ figure, there follows another platform with a Virgin Mary figure that is carried by women. Women who carry normally wear white blouses, black skirts, and a veil covering their hair. Similar to cucuruchos, women pay for a spot to carry during processions and wear all black on Good Friday.
Alfombras (carpets) – are a symbolic offering made to Jesus during Lent processions, which create a sacred path for Jesus to cross. Some people believe that once the image of Christ has passed through an alfombra, those materials used to create the alfombra become blessed.
Little boy cucurucho. Traditionally, alfombras are created from raw Photo by Emily Waters materials such as pine needles, flowers, and sawdust, and often incorporate religious iconography such as crosses and doves. However, people now create alfombras using all kinds of materials including fruits, vegetables, sand, bottle caps, bread, coffee grinds, old toys, ceramics, etc. Alfombra designs have also become much more varied including abstract motifs, images taken from nature, images celebrating Guatemalan or Maya culture, etc.
Velaciones (holy vigils) – are a symbolic representation of a biblical passage or parable, illustrated using the church’s religious images of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary. These representations are also accompanied by an alfombra made inside the church, usually directly in front of the vigil. Each Catholic church in Antigua holds a holy vigil(s) during Lent. Holy vigils are usually held on Fridays, and the same Christ figure used in those vigils is presented in a procession on the following Sunday.
Hanging of Judas A figure of Judas Iscariot is hung on a tree near La Merced Church on Holy Thursday, depicting the suicide of the apostle following his betrayal of Jesus.
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Death Announcement and March of the Roman Soldiers At 12am on Good Friday, people gather at La Merced Church to hear the death sentence of Jesus Christ read aloud by a Roman soldier. Roman soldiers on horseback flank the front of church during the announcement and retreat at the conclusion.
Good Friday and Funerary Processions Good Friday is the most important day of Holy Week because it is the day that Jesus dies and sacrifices himself for the good of humankind. Good Friday hosts the most elaborate processions, carrying and displaying the body of Christ in a glass casket. There are four processions that take place, three of which happen simultaneously at 3pm (the hour that Jesus is said to have died on the cross). On Good Friday, purple banners across the city are replaced with black banners to collectively mourn the death of Christ.
Holy Saturday Processions Because Holy Saturday marks the time when Jesus lays buried in his tomb, all processions organized on this day only feature the Virgin Mary.
Easter Sunday Unlike the United States, Easter Sunday in Guatemala is a quiet Roman soldiers announcing arrival of day. Many Guatemalans go to procession on Holy Thursday. mass, but there are no elaborate processions like those of Good Friday. There is a small procession that takes place, where both men and women together carry an anda with a resurrected Christ image, but the procession is much smaller in scale compared to those of Holy Week. Black banners on buildings are often replaced with yellow and gold ones. Helpful Tips for Holy Week in Antigua As you enjoy participating and observing the traditions and activities of Holy Week in Antigua Guatemala, here are a few tips to help you prepare for this unique experience:
How to watch a procession This may seem obvious, but watching a procession does take some planning!
1) Before departing for your procession-watching, be sure to pack a bottle of water, slather some sunscreen (and/or bring a hat), and wear your most comfortable shoes! More than likely, you’ll be standing for long periods of time and walking/watching processions in the sun. Also, it wouldn’t hurt to pack an umbrella or bring a light rain jacket if the day/evening is overcast (it sometimes rains during Holy Week).
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2) Next, be sure to pick up a Holy Week processions program at the kiosks in the Central Park, so that you can study the procession routes and approximate times. Because there are literally hundreds of people who arrive during Holy Week, it is best to try and find a spot to watch that is at least four blocks before the expected arrival of a procession.
3) Once the procession approaches, be sure to be standing on the sidewalk (usually up against the wall, so you can allow other folks to walk by). No viewers are allowed to be in the street or cross in the middle of a procession once it starts. When you hear and see cucuruchos walking and flanking the outer sides of the street and you smell incense, that’s your cue to stay put.
4) When the anda is very near and moving past where you are standing, it is customary to be silent out of respect. Taking photos and video are fine, but do by mindful about keeping your personal belongings close to you (see Safety further down this section).
5) People stay and watch the entire procession, which involves the anda of Christ (with his marching band) and the anda of the Virgin Mary (with her marching band). Folks start moving once the clean up crew begins to sweep up alfombra materials from the street, which is the general cue for the crowd to disperse. Cucuruchos flanking the street in preparation for the arrival of the anda. Aside from watching a procession on its route through the city, you can also watch a procession leave or enter its church. If you choose to do this, we recommend arriving to the church at least 1-hour before the expected departure or arrival of a procession, so you can find a spot to stand and watch.
What to wear During your time in Antigua, we recommend wearing comfortable clothing like jeans, long shorts, and t-shirts. If you plan to enter any churches to visit velaciones or watch procession entrances/exits, please know that ladies are asked NOT to wear shorts, short skirts (anything above the knee), tank tops, or blouses that reveal bare shoulders and midriffs. Also, modest dress for women is generally recommended to avoid unwanted male attention known as piropos (catcalls, whistling, verbal comments, etc.) in Guatemala. To learn more about piropos, please see Lifestyle and Culture – Gender Issues and Sexual Values in this Handbook.
Because you will mostly be walking on cobblestone streets, please be sure to bring
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comfortable walking shoes. For those not use to cobblestone, it can tire out feet very quickly. We recommend closed-toe shoes (to avoid painful stubbed toes or trampled feet from the crowds!), and something that is water-resistant or that you don’t mind getting wet. In the past, it has rained during parts of Holy Week (and streets can flood if there is a downpour).
On Good Friday, some Holy Week visitors do wear black out of respect, although this is not a requirement. Any color is acceptable to wear that day, except red.
Safety Although Holy Week is a solemn religious observance, the atmosphere in Antigua during this time is also celebratory and festival-like. Again, remember that Guatemalans are on holiday break and folks (both nationals and foreigners) are looking to enjoy themselves.
Because of the influx of foreign and national visitors, Antigua also Aerial view of crowds during Semana Santa becomes a hotspot for petty crime. in Antigua. Photo by Revue Magazine. Therefore, we recommend using the same safety precautions as you would attending any major outdoor public event (e.g., concert, street fair, etc.) in the States:
1) Keep your personal belongings and money close to you, preferably in your front pockets to avoid pick pocketing. DO NOT carry your actual passport; carry instead a photocopy of the passport as a form of photo ID.
2) Avoid carrying large bag packs or bags that make easy targets for petty theft. Only carry what you absolutely need.
3) Always be mindful of your digital gear. Especially during alfombra-making time, make sure cameras or smartphones are on your person or inside Casa Herrera. DO NOT leave cameras or smartphones on the sidewalk, lying close to alfombra materials, or even sitting on Casa Herrera’s window balconies.
4) Again, for the ladies, choose modest and comfortable attire (pants/long shorts and a t-shirt/blouse). This will help minimize attracting unwanted male attention and give you the flexibility to enter churches when perusing the streets.
For more general health and safety tips, please see the Health and Safety section of this Handbook.
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Money If you would like to bring cash, we recommend bringing at least $275 (will be about Q2,000) and exchanging money at the airport. Although you may not get the best rate at the airport, exchanging money at a bank in Antigua during Holy Week is very difficult. There are often long lines at the bank during Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday, as people are making last minute withdrawals and payments before banks close on Holy Wednesday and stay closed through Easter Sunday. Please be sure that the dollars you bring are CLEAN bills; in other words, the bills should NOT have tears, marks, cuts, or taped edges. Guatemalan banks and exchange agencies are very particular about the bills they will exchange, and they will reject any bill that has the slightest physical defect.
If you prefer to use an ATM, Casa Herrera staff will discuss reliable ATMS to use during the on-site orientation. Students are advised to take out the maximum amount of Q2,000 (about $275) when making ATM withdrawals. This helps to avoid ATM fraud (see Budget and Spending in this Handbook for more details) and the risk of being without cash during Holy Week. Because of the volume of people in Antigua during Holy Week, ATMs often run out of money.
Credit cards are accepted in most restaurants and businesses around town. VISA is the more widely accepted card; Mastercard is less frequently accepted. In the artisan markets, payment for souvenirs and textiles is usually cash only (normally Guatemalan quetzales, but some vendors may accept US dollars).
Health and Food During Holy Week in Antigua, many food vendors come into town to offer their street food specialties such as shucos (Guatemala-style hot dog), elotes asados (grilled corn on the cob), chuchitos (a type of tamale), etc. Although it might be very tempting to eat street food, please AVOID DOING THIS. Unlike the United States, there are no hygiene regulations or standardized hygiene procedures for street food vendors. As a result, some Street food vendors at La Merced food might be sitting out for hours Church. Photo by Rudy Giron. unrefrigerated. Other times vendors, because of the large number of clients, might not have time to properly clean dishes and utensils, or might use the same dirty dishwater to clean their hands when serving food. So to avoid stomach bugs, please choose dining options recommended by Casa Herrera staff.
For more general health and safety tips, please see the Health and Safety section of this Handbook.
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Alcohol Consumption and Restrooms Because of the celebration aspect of Holy Week, more than likely you will see a few people drinking on the street (sometimes excessively) – although drinking in outdoor public spaces such as parks is now prohibited in Antigua. Unfortunately, this also means you may catch someone “relieving himself” on quieter streets (mainly men, but you might see a mother helping her child go the bathroom). In addition to the general public restrooms next to the San Jose Cathedral, the city of Antigua always places public port-a potties around the Central Park in order to provide more accessible public bathroom services for visitors; however, there is the occasional individual who chooses to urinate in the street by a car.
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Lifestyle and Culture Brief History of Antigua La Antigua, Guatemala (or Old Guatemala) was founded on March 10, 1543. It was the third capital created by the Spanish following the destruction of two earlier ones as a result of indigenous uprising and natural disaster. For more than 200 years, Antigua served as the capital of the Spanish colony of Guatemala, which included almost all of Central America and the Chiapas region of Mexico. In 1773, however, a series of devastating earthquakes left much of the city in ruins and forced government officials to relocate the capital to what is current day Guatemala City. Officials named the new capital Nueva Guatemala de la Asunción (New Guatemala of the Ascension) and the abandoned former capital was hence referred to as “La Antigua Guatemala.”
Now an UNESCO World Heritage Site, current day Antigua maintains its colonial charm and indigenous presence while garnering much attention from foreign tourists interested in learning about the city’s history. Remnants of Antigua’s colonial past are visible through the preservation of its church ruins and colonial architecture. In addition, the modern day Maya remain an important part of life and culture in Antigua, many of who continue to wear their traditional dress.
In addition, Antigua has gained much fame for its elaborate religious processions during Lent, which begin in February and lead up to the celebrations of Semana Santa (Holy Week) in late March or early April. These processions are characterized by beautiful community art pieces called alfombras (carpets) that are traditionally made from colored sawdust, flowers, vegetables, and fruits. These alfombras are created on the city streets and often include Catholic iconography in their designs.
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The original and complete name of Antigua is Ciudad de Santiago de los Caballeros (City of Saint James of the Knights) in honor of the first capital city that was founded on July 25, 1524 or St. James Day. Today, St. James continues to be the patron saint of Antigua and is honored every July 25th with much celebration.
Land and Climate Antigua is a fairly temperate area year-round with temperatures ranging from 65˚F - 95˚F with moderate humidity levels. From January through April, expect relatively sunny days with temperatures in the 70s and 80s and temperatures dropping into the 60s in the evenings. The rainy season is from May through October. During this time, days often start out sunny with rainfall in the afternoon and evenings. Rainfall can be from light showers to heavy rains.
Languages The national language of Guatemala is Spanish. There are also 21 Mayan languages spoken throughout the country. In Antigua, students will primarily hear Spanish and Kaqchikel (Mayan language). Also, because of the large volume of English-speaking tourists that travel to Antigua, you may also hear English and see text in English at some locations around town. A few restaurants, for example, have both Spanish and English menus. Some street vendors may also speak some English words or phrases to communicate with customers. However, students should use (and practice) their Spanish whenever possible . Casa Herrera staff, of course, is always available to help with Spanish/ English or English/Spanish translations and interpretations.
Public Holidays Casa Herrera acknowledges all public holidays of Guatemala. Many holidays in Antigua are a result of Roman Catholic observances, such as Semana Santa (Holy Week). It is not uncommon to hear fireworks during the evenings because of the celebration of a particular Saint’s day. At the beginning of each study abroad session, students will receive a calendar/itinerary that includes Guatemalan holidays.
Cultural Differences Always keep in mind that as a UT study abroad student, you are serving as an ambassador of the University. Your actions and behavior will influence how local residents in Antigua perceive you as an American. It is prudent to always use your best judgment and to be open-minded about the cultural differences you will 15 Updated 3/15/17 encounter. This is a great opportunity to not only enrich your academic learning, but to also introduce you to an alternative cultural perspective than can lead to personal growth and greater social awareness.
During your time in Guatemala, you may notice several cultural differences. Here are a few guidelines to assist your transition into life in Antigua:
Cultural Sensitivity to Diverse Populations You will observe an array of people during your time in Antigua. First, there are local residents who come from both ladino (Guatemalans of European descent) and indigenous communities. In addition, Antigua attracts many foreigners from around the globe who arrive to experience the colonial charm of one of the early capital cities of Guatemala. Many of these foreigners are ex-patriots (approximately 1,000) living and working in Antigua while others are tourists passing through. On the weekends, it is not uncommon to see tourists arrive by the busloads. Semana Santa or Holy Week in Antigua is a particularly popular travel activity for both Guatemalan nationals and visitors from other parts of the world.
You will notice a strong indigenous presence in Antigua. It is very common to see indigenous women in traditional attire, which consists of the huipil (blouse), corte (skirt), and faja (belt). It is important to remember to be culturally sensitive and respectful of the personal space of these individuals. Tourists are often tempted to take pictures of indigenous people without asking permission. We encourage you to please NOT take pictures of any indigenous person unless he/she gives you permission (usually in exchange for a small fee). Please do not, under any circumstances, take pictures of indigenous children. This is often considered highly offensive and suspicious.
Daily Pace and Lifestyle
You will quickly learn that the pace of daily activity in Antigua is much slower when compared to that of the United States. As an American, you might be used to things being done efficiently, quickly, and at an instant. In Guatemala, business activity and daily routines are completed at a slower pace. There might be long lines at the supermarket or the bank. When eating at a restaurant, you might not be served right away and you have to ASK for the bill. People often arrive late to appointments or meetings. Technology is not always reliable and the Internet is slow (especially when it rains) or unavailable. And you will probably hear the famous, “Fíjese que...” when things you request are not done when expected or delivered the way you want. 16 Updated 3/15/17
As you learn the rhythm of life in Antigua, we encourage you to be patient and flexible! You will be adjusting to a new culture where attitudes regarding time and lifestyle may differ from your own. For some students, the change of pace and lifestyle can be challenging, but the key to a successful study abroad experience is to be patient with yourself and your surrounding environment. Take the opportunity to enjoy other activities around Antigua like visiting with new friends, strolling through the open-air markets, touring some of the colonial buildings and museums, and enjoying the live music at the Central Park over the weekends.
Etiquette Latin American culture is guided by common courtesy practices and formalities. For example, a common courtesy is to greet and say good-bye when entering a store, or meeting individuals on the street, or arriving and/or departing from your homestay. Common greetings are buenos días (in the morning), buenas tardes (in the afternoon), and buenas noches (in the evening). If you are a woman, this greeting is often accompanied by one side kiss on the cheek and/or hug. Neglecting to say hello or goodbye or to greet others (even if you do not know them) is considered rude.
When visiting local churches, female students are encouraged to avoid wearing short shorts/skirts and tank tops. If wearing a tank top, we ask female students to bring a shawl that they can wear to cover their shoulders in church. This is especially important for female students participating in Holy Week festivities.
A special note about tattoos and body piercings Unfortunately, because of its popular practice within gang culture in Central America, tattoos and body piercings (e.g., nose, eyebrow, tongue, the Monroe, multiple piercings on the ear, etc.) for men and women are sometimes viewed as something “bad” or “strange”. Because of the number of foreign tourists that visit Antigua, local residents have a more flexible attitude toward these kinds of self-expression. In addition, you can observe younger and progressive generations of Guatemalans with tattoos and piercings. However, remember that Guatemala remains very conservative in many ways. Some still believe that only women should have ear piercings (just one on each ear) or only gang members use tattoos.
If you have tattoos or body piercings, please don’t be alarmed! Just know that social ideas about them in Guatemala may be different than those in the States. For students participating in the Language, Diversity and Education summer study abroad programs, please be aware that tattoos and body piercings are strictly prohibited in primary and secondary schools. If your tattoos and piercings are visible, children at the schools you will be visiting may ask you questions about them (or even stare). So, please be patient with them!
A special note about professional dress and attire
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In particular professional and religious environments such as offices, schools, and churches in Guatemala, appropriate attire is expected and required. For students participating in the Language, Diversity and Education summer study abroad programs, please know that grade schools in Guatemala often require their students to use uniforms and/or follow a specific dress code. As a result, study abroad students will be asked to wear clothing that respects the dress policy of the schools where they will be volunteering or visiting.
For men, appropriate dress includes long pants (jeans are fine) and a nice t-shirt, polo shirt, or short sleeve button down shirt. Long cargo or jean shorts are also acceptable to wear. Any kind of closed-toe shoe or sandal (but no rubber flipflops) is suitable for footwear. Closed-toe shoes are preferred.
For women, acceptable dress includes long pants (jeans, casual slacks, etc.) or long shorts/skirt (no more than 1-inch above the knee) and a nice t-shirt or button down shirt/blouse. Please do not wear spaghetti straps, tank tops, tube tops, or shirts that show your midriff or any underwear (including bra straps). Any kind of closed-toe shoe or sandal (but no rubber flipflops) is suitable for footwear. Closed-toe shoes are preferred.
Gender Issues and Sexual Values Students should be mindful that gender roles and sexual values in any country will be different from those of their home country. Although contemporary thought in Central America regarding sexual orientation has become more open (especially with younger generations), older generations still continue to be conservative and guided by religious standards of socially acceptable behavior and traditional family structures. Remember that you will need to be culturally sensitive to these differences (e.g., “machismo” or male chauvinism, perceptions regarding homosexuality/bisexuality/transgender identity, attitudes towards sex outside of marriage, etc.) and make the proper adjustments (or precautions) to your actions, words, and public behavior without compromising your personal identity.
Americans in Guatemala are sometimes perceived as frivolous or careless and, as a result, may be the targets of unwanted sexual advances (especially women). Students should be careful with any conversation that they engage with strangers of the opposite sex. What you may think is just a friendly conversation could be misinterpreted as a sexual advance by the other. 18 Updated 3/15/17
A special note for female students about “piropos” In Guatemala, as with other Latin American countries, it is common for men to give “piropos” or flirtatious remarks on the street to women they find attractive. Local women respond by simply ignoring these comments. If you find yourself in a similar position, American Girl in Italy, 1951 it is important NOT to react to any by Ruth Orkin remarks, wolf whistles, hissing noises, etc. By acknowledging or talking back to the man, this can sometimes cause greater conflict. Use your best judgment: Ignore the comments and walk away. Or, if you feel that the man’s behavior cannot be ignored or he is being a threat to your person, please ask one of the tourist police officers (identified by khaki-colored uniforms and black/dark blue baseball caps) to help you.
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Budget and Spending Guatemalan Currency
The Guatemalan currency is the Quetzal (Q).
You can order Guatemalan currency in advance directly at your bank for a small fee. For information about exchange rates, please visit these currency converter websites:
XE – Universal Currency Converter: http://www.xe.com/ucc/ OANDA: http://www.oanda.com/currency/converter/
Planning and Personal Budget The cost of living in Guatemala is relatively inexpensive compared to the United States; however, it is advisable to make a personal budget so that you can organize your daily expenses and other extraneous travel costs. We recommend budgeting a minimum of $270 (about Q2,000). Antigua tends to me more expensive than other places in Guatemala because of tourism (especially during peak seasons such as Semana Santa). Here are some expenses to consider:
. Dinner: Q45-Q80 ($5-10) . Spending money: Q500 (if you plan to buy souvenirs) . Emergency medical fund: Q500 (Should you need to see a doctor at a local clinic, each visit costs Q200 or $25. Only CASH is accepted. Other costs might include any examinations that need to be completed)
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Culture of Bargaining Know that if you make purchases at the main Market (or at the various artisan markets in town), it is a common practice to bargain or “haggle.” For example, if you wish to buy apples at the Market, you will need to ask the vendor her price. She might tell you, “12 quetzales por una mano.” This means, she will charge you Q12 for five apples. You can provide a counter offer to see if she would be willing to reduce the cost. Depending on what you are buying, you can sometimes negotiate a price from Q1-Q15 lower than the original asking price.
However, when bargaining remember that many items and goods that are sold in the main Market are already offered at a reduced cost when compared to prices in the United States. For example, you can buy a pound of strawberries for $0.40, while a small box of strawberries in the States might cost up to $2.00. So, use your best judgment when deciding how much you want to haggle. Also, remember to be sensitive to the financial needs of the vendor, especially when buying unique items like indigenous handcrafted textiles.
Special Note: Not all places/businesses in Antigua practice bargaining. If you are at a store (e.g., Nimpot) and there are price tags/signs on or near the items, then that is the price you pay. Bargaining is usually done in the open-air markets; however, some businesses in town will offer a “descuento” (discount).
Cash If you are not already bringing Guatemalan currency with you and you would like to bring some cash, we recommend bringing at least $275 (will be about Q2,000) and exchanging money at the airport. Although you may not get the best rate at the airport, exchanging money at a bank in Antigua during Holy Week is very difficult. There are often long lines at the bank during Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday, as people are making last minute withdrawals and payments before banks close on Holy Wednesday and stay closed through Easter Sunday.
Please be sure that the dollars you bring are CLEAN bills; in other words, the bills should NOT have tears, marks, cuts or taped edges. Guatemalan banks and exchange 21 Updated 3/15/17
agencies are very particular about the bills they will exchange, and they will reject any bill that has the slightest physical defect. If you choose to wait to exchange money at a local bank in Antigua, we recommend exchanging your dollars for quetzales at Banco Agromercantil (BAM) or Banco Industrial (Bi) in the Central Park area.
Traveler’s Checks There is only one bank in Antigua that can exchange Traveler’s checks, which is G&T Continental Bank. Most businesses DO NOT accept traveler’s checks in lieu of cash, so you will need to exchange them at a bank once you arrive to Antigua (or use another form of payment).
ATMs There are a number of ATMs available for use in Antigua. We recommend using only those ATMs that are inside a bank that have a guard (e.g., Citibank and Banco Industrial). In the past, there have been reports of ATM fraud in Antigua. ATM fraud involves the unauthorized copying of your ATM card number and pin number and, subsequently, having large sums of money withdrawn from your account. Use the ATMs sparingly, refrain from making frequent consecutive withdrawals, and avoid consistently using the same ATM for your transactions. During the on-site orientation in Antigua, Casa Herrera staff will provide you with details about which ATMs in town to use and which to avoid.
Especially for Holy Week, we recommend withdrawing the maximum amount ($270 or Q2,000) to avoid needing to return to the ATM. During Holy Week, ATMs often run out of money and banks are closed from Holy Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
Finally, remember to talk with your bank to learn about international transaction fees when you withdraw money from an ATM outside the United States.
A special note regarding debit cards without chips Some ATMS (in particular, those operated by Banco Industrial or Bi) do not accept debit cards that do not have chips. If your card does not have a chip, it probably is worth contacting your bank to ask if you can receive a new debit card with a chip. This will help broaden your ATM machine options.
Credit Cards Visa is the most widely accepted credit card in Antigua and in Guatemala in general. There is usually some international transaction fee that is charged to your credit card when making a purchase in Guatemala. Check with your bank to learn more about fees for international transactions. We recommend bringing at least one credit card with you, so that you have a back-up in case of an emergency.
Other accepted credit cards include Mastercard, Citibank Diner’s Club International, and Discover (in very limited locations).
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Wire Transfers You can have money wired to you through Western Union or Money Gram. There are two Western Union offices located in Antigua, the main one being within the G&T Continental Bank on the west side of the Central Park (on 5a. Avenida). Money Gram locations are found inside banks such as Banrural (en El Jaulón on 4a. Calle Oriente) and Banco Reformador (near the Central Park).
For those with Wells Fargo accounts, this bank offers a service called “Express Send” which allows you to send up to $1,500 from your checking or savings account to a participating bank in Central America. Once the money is sent, you can personally claim and pick-up the funds at the Central American bank. In Guatemala, the banks that participate in this program are Banco Industrial, G&T Continental, and Banrural. For more information about this service, please visit the following link: https://www.wellsfargo.com/per/intl_remittance/centralamerica-caribbean
Another option for wire transfers is Xoom.com. This is an online money transfer service that allows clients to send money from a US bank account or credit card to a partner bank in Guatemala for cash pick-up or deposit. Through this service, you can send yourself up to $2,999 per transfer. Signing up for this service is free, however there is a small fee charged for each transfer made. Guatemalan banks partnering with Xoom.com for this service include Banco Industrial and Banrural. For more information about this service, visit the company website: www.xoom.com
Protecting Your Finances Before leaving your home country, be sure to call your bank (for your ATM card) and credit card company to inform them that you will be leaving the country for an extended period of time and will be making transactions abroad. This will prevent your cards from being blocked when you make purchases in Antigua and, more importantly, this will help your bank monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity. Talk to your bank and credit card company about any international security programs that can protect you and your accounts. You should also ask your bank and credit card company about international transaction and withdrawal fees while abroad.
Also, we recommend making photocopies of your ATM card, credit card(s) and other important travel documents (e.g., your passport) that you will be taking on your trip. Leave the photocopies of your documents with a family member or trusted friend at home in case of an emergency. Be sure to have the 1-800 numbers for your cards written down so you can easily call to report a stolen card if needed.
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Lodging,Meals and Housekeeping Needs Casa Herrera Bedrooms Casa Herrera has 6 bedrooms available for student and faculty use. Each room is furnished with a full bed and/or sets of bunk beds, linens, towels, closet(s), night stand(s), and portable heater. Two bedrooms have their own private bath, and four bedrooms share bathrooms (1 bathroom for 2 bedrooms). Most rooms have WI-FI access, although because of the architectural design of Casa Herrera, the Internet signal can be spotty at times.
For the Art Alfombra Holy Week program, students will be grouped into different bedrooms and sharing bathrooms. Faculty will be assigned a separate bedroom space. Students and faculty have full access to the kitchen space for preparing meals and doing laundry.
Architectural Design of Antigua Buildings (Inside/Outside Spaces) Upon arriving to Antigua, students will notice right away that the local houses do not follow traditional US notions of what a “house” should look like or be structured as. For example, Antigua homes normally do not have front or backyards. Instead, many homes have an “inside/outside” space design, which means that although you are inside a private property, you are not necessarily in an enclosed space.
The best way to visualize this is to look at photos or video of Casa Herrera’s main courtyard area (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erdl_i5xOs8). When you walk through Casa Herrera’s main entrance, you will find an enormous outdoor courtyard with small rooms around its perimeter that are a combination of classrooms, offices, and resident bedrooms. So, although you are technically inside the property, you are also in an outdoor space.
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A special note about outdoor balconies As you walk around Antigua, you will notice that many of the protruding, concrete balconies of buildings around town begin at about 5 to 5.5 feet above the ground level – which means that if you’re not paying attention, you can easily run into one of them and give yourself a nasty bump on the head! So as you walk on the sidewalks, please watch where you’re going to avoid getting hurt.
Meals For the Art Alfombra Holy Week program, students will be responsible for preparing their own breakfast meals. Casa Herrera staff will purchase a selection of breakfast items (e.g., eggs, bread, yogurt, jams, sweet breads, fruit, etc.) for the group, and these items will be replenished during the course of Holy Week depending upon student needs.
Most lunches will be prepared by El Frijol Feliz/Café Flor (just three blocks away from Casa Herrera) for students and faculty during the Holy Week program. Other lunches may be coordinated at specific field trip locations outside of Antigua (e.g., Lake Atitlán). All lunches are included as part of the program fee.
There are three scheduled dinners for the group that are included as part of the program fee: (1) Arrival Dinner, (2) Welcome Dinner, and (3) Farewell Dinner. For Holy Thursday and Good Friday, snacks will be provided at dinnertime at Casa Herrera as students prepare their alfombra or stop to relax at Casa in between procession watching. Students are responsible for all other dinners outside of these scheduled meals/activities.
If there is something you do not like to eat, or if have food allergies, or if you are a vegetarian/vegan, please be sure to inform The Mesoamerica Center or Casa Herrera staff prior to departure from the States.
Laundry A washer and dryer are available at Casa Herrera for laundering needs. Laundry soap and fabric softner are available in the kitchen, normally on the shelf above the washer/dryer or in the nearby stone “pila” (sink or wash basin area).
Electrical Information/Energy Conservation Electrical outlets are the same in Guatemala as they are in the United States. You will not need to buy an electrical converter of any kind, although a two-prong to three- prong adapter is useful to bring (if you wish to work on your computer) as most household plugs in Guatemala are only two-prong.
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Please be conservative with water consumption and energy usage. Keep your showers brief (no more than 10-15 minutes), turn-off bedroom lights when you are not in your room, and unplug unused electrical devices/appliances (laptops, hairdryers, etc.).
Note about showers and toilets Casa Herrera has a very small water heater located in the kitchen that is used to heat up water to all the bedroom showers. When taking showers, it may take a few minutes for the water to heat up, so please be patient! If it turns out that after a few minutes the water does come out warm, please inform Casa Herrera staff.
Also, it is common practice in Guatemala NOT to flush used toilet paper or used female sanitary products down the toilet. Flushing these items can clog and damage drainage pipes. At Casa Herrera, the bathroom garbage is taken out every other day, if necessary. Students may be asked to help take out bathroom trash, as Casa maintenance staff will be off during the latter half of Holy Week.
Other Casa Herrera Info • Extra garbage bags will be placed under the kitchen sink, for anyone needing to remove any trash out of the kitchen or bathrooms when Casa maintenance staff is not available to do this task.
• The kitchen is equipped with an oven, stovetop, microwave, and coffee maker that are available for student and faculty use, as well as dishes and cutlery. Casa Herrera provides coffee and tea for residents at no extra charge.
• Students and faculty are welcome to use the public spaces of Casa Herrera (courtyard, classrooms, library, and student lounge) during the duration of their stay.
• Casa Herrera has a small rooftop area where students and faculty may sit to enjoy the view. There is limited Internet reception in this area.
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Communication Mail The main post office (or Oficina de Correos) in Antigua is located on Alameda Santa Lucía on the corner of 4a. Calle Poniente near La Bodegona supermarket. However, due to a recent financial crisis within Guatemala’s postal system, the post office in Antigua has temporarily suspended international mailing services – which, unfortunately, means that you won’t be able to mail your postcards to family and friends back in the States .
If someone in the United States wishes to send you something that is larger than a letter, please ask him/her to use a reliable private carrier service such as DHL or Fedex. Again, because of recent problems with the Guatemalan postal system, the mail service is highly unreliable. Letters/packages often arrive very late (up to 4 months), get lost, or do not arrive at all.
Letters and packages addressed to you can be sent to Casa at the following address:
Casa Herrera 4a. Avenida Norte, No. 9 La Antigua Guatemala, Sacatepéquez Guatemala, Central America 03001 Internet
Free Wi-Fi Internet is available at Casa Herrera. However, because of the architecture and layout of the house, an Internet connection can be stronger and better in specific areas of the house (e.g., the courtyard). Also, Internet and cell signals can be slow during rainy weather and/or when the service provider’s network is oversaturated. The latter is common during Holy Week when hundreds of people flood the city to participate in various festivities.
For those wanting to take advantage of free wireless connections around town, there are several places around Antigua you can visit. Restaurants and cafés like The Bagel Barn, Pitaya, Luna de Miel, The Refuge Coffee Bar, Estudio Café, and other similar places have free wireless Internet available for their customers.
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Finally, remember to be patient with technology in Guatemala! Internet service may not be as fast as you are used to in the United States. It is common for service to be slow or for networks to suddenly drop.
International Calling, Phones, and Other Electronic Devices For international calling, you can use Skype to make international calls from Casa Herrera using your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Some Internet cafés, such as the one operated by the Monoloco Bar & Restaurant (5a. Avenida Sur, #6), offer international public phone service. Making calls from an Internet café can cost between Q1-Q2 ($0.13 - $0.25) a minute.
Also, should students or faculty need to reach Casa Herrera staff by phone, Casa Herrera has a landline that students and faculty are allowed to use if necessary (e.g., medical emergency/need, security issue, etc). Faculty members will also be given Guatemalan cell phones to be able to communicate easily and conveniently with Casa Herrera’s on- site coordinator.
Special note about smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital cameras Smartphones have become increasingly popular in Guatemala and frequently used apps include Facebook Messenger, What’s App, and Twitter. If you choose to bring your US smartphone or any other special electronic device (like a tablet, laptop computer, or digital camera) to Guatemala, please be careful when carrying these items around town. We recommend being discreet with your electronics (in other words, don’t flash them around) so you do not make yourself a target for petty theft. You may also want to insure these items with your personal insurance company. Because Holy Week attracts so many tourists, incidences of pick pocketing and petty theft are more frequent.
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Health and Safety
Insurance All students participating in a UT Faculty-Led Program are covered by a comprehensive Overseas Insurance plan from HealthSmart. This insurance works through reimbursement, which means you will pay for services out-of-pocket first and then file a claim upon your return home. You can download the claim form online at: http://world.utexas.edu/io/forms/abroad/AHP-ClaimForm-current-09-16-2014.pdf
When filing a claim for reimbursement, students will need to submit all medical receipts and include on each:
. School’s Name and Policy Number: The University of Texas at Austin – GLMN04969340 . Student’s Name and UT EID . Patient’s Name
Claims and receipts should be mailed/emailed to: HealthSmart 3320 W. Market, Suite 100 Fairlawn, Ohio 44333 Email: [email protected]
Remember to make copies of all your paperwork before submitting to the insurance company. All claims must be filed within 90 days of service provided.
For details about insurance coverage, please review the policy brochure: http://world.utexas.edu/io/forms/abroad/UT_Study_Abroad_Brochure_9-16-2014.pdf
International SOS In addition, The University of Texas System provides all students, faculty, and staff traveling internationally on UT-sponsored activities/programs with International SOS, an international emergency assistance service. This is not insurance. Rather, it is a global 24-hour help line that can provide assistance in the event of a medical or security emergency. For more information about International SOS, visit http://world.utexas.edu/risk/travelresources/sos. The official International SOS website 29 Updated 3/15/17
is http://www.internationalsos.com. The UT Member ID is 11BSGC000037. The International SOS smartphone app can be downloaded at http://www.internationalsos.com/en/membership-app.htm. If you find yourself in need of immediate assistance while abroad, contact International SOS anytime 24/7 at 1-215- 942-8226 (main line) or 1-215-942-8478 (dedicated scholastic hotline), or call UTPD at 512-471-4441. Calling International SOS can help you identify hospitals or pharmacies and English-speaking health professionals, request emergency medical assistance including evacuation, and request assistance securing treatment when prepayment of medical services is required.
ISIC Card Although not required, we encourage students to also purchase the ISIC (International Student Identity Card), which provides two major benefits: (1) an alternative form of identification aside from your passport, and (2) travel insurance and service for lost luggage, travel delay or a lost passport. In addition, card members may have access to discounts with participating businesses in Guatemala. For more details, please visit the International Office at UT or the ISIC website at www.myisic.com.
Special Medical Needs Should you have any special medical needs, please notify Casa Herrera staff so they may accommodate your stay in Antigua accordingly. An example of a special medical need that requires attention may be a particular physical disability or food allergy.
Other Special Needs Upon your arrival to Antigua, please be sure to communicate any special needs you may have to Casa’s On-Site Coordinator.
Staying Healthy
General Tips Before doing any travel, please visit and consult with your doctor about your plans. If you take any prescription drugs for allergies or any other medical condition, be sure to acquire enough to last you throughout the duration of your time abroad. If you have any concerns regarding refilling prescriptions or the availability of a medication in Guatemala, contact International SOS.
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Digestive Problems Many travelers may experience digestive problems or “Traveler’s Diarrhea” (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2010/chapter-2/travelers-diarrhea.aspx) while abroad because of dietary conditions that differ from their home country and greater exposure to bacteria. Before departing for your program, we recommend visiting UT Health Services (http://www.healthyhorns.utexas.edu/travel/index.html) or visiting your independent health services provider for medication advice. It is also a good idea to bring Imodium AND Pepto-Bismol with you.
Here are some tips to help prevent a stomach infection:
• Do not drink water from the tap ALWAYS drink bottled, filtered, or boiled water. Even when brushing your teeth, you should use filtered water. Casa Herrera has 3 ceramic water filters in the courtyard and kitchen areas.
• Remember to wash your hands thoroughly before eating
• Do not eat food from vendors on the street or in the market Although it might be tempting to purchase food from street vendors (especially during Holy Week), sanitary conditions under which the food was prepared are often questionable. In addition, prepared street food often sits out in the open for long stretches of time, which puts you at greater risk for contracting bacterial infections.
• When purchasing fruits and vegetables from the market, be sure to thoroughly clean it before eating You can clean fruits and vegetables with a special liquid called “Puravida,” which is a chlorine-based solution that is dissolved in water and used to disinfect produce. A bottle of Puravida is available for use in Casa’s kitchen. You can also add small amounts of vinegar to a bowl of water and soak your fruits and vegetables in this solution for 3- 5 minutes.
• When eating out, avoid eating uncooked meats or raw foods such as salads Be cautious about your meal choices when eating at a restaurant. Because many businesses and restaurants in Antigua cater to tourists, there is often little problem with sanitary conditions. Nevertheless, it is prudent to be cautious of what you consume.
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Should you have any illness, digestive or otherwise, and would like to see a doctor, please contact the On-Site Coordinator at Casa Herrera immediately.
Immunizations When visiting with your doctor prior to your trip to Guatemala, you may consult with he/she about any recommended immunizations, which may include those for malaria and dengue fever (http://www.cdc.gov/dengue/). Malaria and dengue fever are NOT common in Antigua, but can occur in more remote parts of Guatemala. Currently, there are no required immunizations for US travelers to enter into Guatemala.
Mosquitoes and Viral Diseases During the rainy season (May – October), mosquitoes are present throughout the region. As part of your first-aid travel kit, please include mosquito repellant and cortisone cream for mosquito bites. Students, when possible, should also protect themselves by reducing skin exposure and wearing long pants, long sleeved shirts (preferably light colors), and socks. Although there have been few cases of dengue, chikungunya, and ZIka (all are viral diseases that are spread by mosquitoes) reported in Antigua, we want to encourage all students to take preventive measures to help reduce their risk. And mosquito bites are just annoying anyway!
Below is some additional information regarding dengue, chikungunya, and Zika:
Dengue Also known as break-bone fever, dengue is a tropical viral disease that is transmitted and spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are severe joint aches, muscle aches, fever, headache, and skin rash. Symptoms appear 3-14 days after the infective bite. There is no available vaccine. Dengue is treated with rest, drinking lots of fluids, and reducing fever and pain with common medicines (acetaminophens like Tylenol or Panadol) or visiting a local doctor.
Extremely severe cases of dengue (known as dengue hemorrhagic fever), without proper medical care, can be life threatening. Symptoms include persistent vomiting, abdominal pain, bleeding, and difficulty breathing.
Chikungunya Similar to dengue, chikungunya is a tropical viral disease that is transmitted and spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are debilitating joint pain, fever, muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue, and rash. The severe joint pain can last for a few days, but it can also continue for several weeks and (in more severe cases) months. Because
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symptoms are similar to dengue, chikungunya can often be misdiagnosed in areas where dengue is common.
There is no available vaccine. Chikungunya is treated with rest, drinking lots of fluids, and reducing fever and pain with common medicines (acetaminophens like Tylenol or Panadol) or visiting a local doctor. Most people infected with chikungunya experience mild symptoms and make a full recovery. In extreme cases, chikungunya can be life threatening (more so for individuals who are elderly).
ZIka Zika is the most recent tropical viral disease to garner attention by international news media because of the growing number of cases being reported in Brazil, French Polynesia, El Salvador, and Honduras. This virus, like chikungunya and dengue, is transmitted and spread by infected mosquitoes. Symptoms are mild fever, skin rash, conjunctivitis (pinkeye), headache, and muscle and joint pain. These symptoms are usually mild and last between 2-7 days. There is no vaccine available. Zika is treated with rest, drinking lots of fluids, and reducing fever and pain with common medicines (acetaminophens like Tylenol or Panadol) or visiting a local doctor.
There has been concern that Zika plays a role in certain neurological complications: (1) microcephaly (babies born with abnormally small heads) with pregnant, Zika-infected mothers, and (2) Guillain-Barré syndrome which is characterized by muscle weakness and paralysis caused when the immune system attacks part of the peripheral nervous system. The World Health Organization (WHO) has been working with Latin American governments to establish strategies to control the spread of Zika and to conduct more research about the relationship between the virus and the mentioned neurological problems. Personal Safety Because of the high volume of tourism in Antigua, a special unit of tourism police is visible throughout the city. They usually are seen patrolling streets on foot or bicycle and are dressed in navy blue polo shirts, khaki slacks, and navy blue caps. Nevertheless, petty crime such as ATM fraud and theft occurs daily. Here are some tips to help make your stay safe in Antigua:
• Remember to keep any expensive electronics such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and digital cameras out of sight when walking in Antigua. If you don’t need to carry these items (in particular, tablets and laptops), please leave them in your Casa Herrera locker. All students will be given a small locker at 33 Updated 3/15/17
Casa Herrera to store personal items.
• Dress conservatively and avoid wearing any flashy or expensive clothing and jewelry that might attract unwanted attention.
• Never carry large amounts of cash or your passport. Carry only the cash you need and your ISIC card or a photocopy of your passport as a form of identification.
• Be careful carrying large backpacks or purses – these can often be tempting invitations for thieves. Keep these items close to you and in front of your body. Never leave your backpack or purse unattended.
• Place your money and other small valuable items in your front pockets.
• Remember that your person is more valuable than your possessions. If you should find yourself in the position of being a victim of robbery, cooperate, relinquish your items, and immediately report the incident to Casa’s On-Site Coordinator.
• When out late at night, do not walk home alone. Travel in small groups. Avoid walking lonely streets (during the day or night) where there is little traffic or people. Always stay alert and use good judgment.
• If you go out at night and choose to drink, please remember to drink responsibly and determine a plan with your peers for getting home during the late hours. Students are encouraged to always have at least Q50 handy in case they need to take a late night taxi. Bars typically close by 1am and restaurants at 10pm. It is extremely important for your personal safety to be aware of your person, behavior, and your surroundings so that you do not make yourself a target for crime.
• If you need to use an ATM, have a friend accompany you and go during the day. Use ATMs sparingly and only those that are inside a bank and with a guard (such as Citibank or Banco Industrial).
Also, avoid consistently using the same ATM. Make a habit of taking out the maximum amount ($270 or Q2,000) to avoid needing to return to the ATM. This is VERY important for Holy Week, as ATMs often run out of money and banks are closed from Holy Wednesday through Easter Sunday.
NOTE: Because of the many tourists who arrive to Antigua, ATM fraud is a common crime. ATM fraud involves the unauthorized copying of your ATM card number and pin number and, subsequently, having large sums of money withdrawn from your account. This can be avoided by being cautious and
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following our guidelines. Before leaving the U.S., please be sure to talk to your bank about how to protect your accounts while you are abroad.
• If you are sitting in the Central Park or walking along Calle del Arco, it is common for female and child vendors to approach tourists and ask them to buy something (e.g., young men looking to shine shoes for money). Even if you politely tell them that you are not interested in buying anything, they may be very insistent. Know that this is normal and continue to politely tell them “no, gracias” and go about your business.
• If you are sitting in the Central Park or around the main Market area in the evening, young men interested in selling drugs sometimes approach tourists. As always, stay away from drugs and decline the person’s offer. Remember - Any individual caught with illegal drugs in a foreign country is subject to the drug laws of that country, not those of the U.S.; ignorance of the law is no excuse. Because of drug trafficking problems in Mexico and gang-related activity in Guatemala City, Guatemalan officials and police have a no-tolerance policy for anyone caught with illegal substances. If you are caught, you go to jail and are treated as a gang affiliate.
Relationships and Safe Sex As mentioned already in the sections on “Cultural Differences”, Guatemala still remains a conservative country. If you choose to date, please be careful with the individual you go out with. Remember that you are in a different country where ideas about relationships and romantic expectations may differ dramatically from your own. Women from the U.S., especially, are often viewed the way popular representations of women are portrayed in the U.S. media such as in movies, pop music, and commercial ads. Female students should keep this in mind and not be easily persuaded by flatteries and charm from males that they may meet outside the program.
If you are going to have sex, be smart and use protection. Just as in the U.S., know that having unprotected sex puts you at risk for HIV/AIDS, STDs, and pregnancy. Please be responsible, take the proper precautions, and be discreet. Remember that Guatemala remains a very conservative country where being sexually active outside of marriage can be a social taboo. It is absolutely prohibited to bring overnight guests to Casa Herrera. If you do, this is considered a violation of this program’s Code of Conduct policy.
Contraception continues to be a controversial subject because of conservative religious values and male chauvinism (in Guatemala, this is called “machismo”). There are greater efforts being made by medical NGOs to educate the community about the use of condoms, female 35 Updated 3/15/17
contraception, family planning, and women’s reproductive rights. Nevertheless, please keep in mind that for some Guatemalans contraception might still be an unaccepted practice. Also, be mindful that contraception brands and the quality of those brands in Guatemala may be different from those in the States.
Special Considerations for Women Women should avoid wearing any over-revealing clothing while out in Antigua (e.g., tube tops, mini skirts, super short shorts, spaghetti straps, etc.), as this may be interpreted as an invitation for unwanted attention from Guatemalan men (see Note about piropos under Lifestyle and Culture – Gender Issues and Sexual Values). Also, women should be advised to be careful when meeting and conversing with strange men they meet while out at night. What might seem as a friendly conversation could be misinterpreted as a sexual advance.
Special Considerations for LBGTQ Students We ask students to remember that the sexual values and rights that may be observed in their home country are not always acknowledged in others. In Guatemala, homosexual, bisexual, transgender, and other sexual identities are not widely accepted. Much of this sentiment is influenced by conservative religious values and male chauvinism (machismo). Prejudice toward the LBGTQ community does exist (more so in rural areas). During your study abroad experience, it is important to keep an open-mind and understand that not everyone will share (or accept) your views and beliefs about sexual orientation and/or sexual identity.
Emergency/Natural Disaster Safety
Earthquakes Guatemala does experience seismic activity. For the most part, they consist of brief tremors that can last for a few seconds and occur sporadically throughout the year; however, strong earthquakes can occur. Here are some basic tips for students to follow IF they should find themselves in an earthquake:
WHAT TO DO DURING AN EARTHQUAKE – “DUCK, COVER, and HOLD ON”
If you are indoors (for example, if you are in class at Casa Herrera), you should duck under a sturdy table or desk and place you hands protectively over your head and hold on. If you are positioned close to one of the window areas, you should have your back towards the window to protect your face from possible broken glass.
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. You should remain under the tables/desks until the earthquake IS OVER. Research shows that more injuries are caused when trying to move around inside a building or evacuating a building DURING an earthquake because of possible falling debris.
. If you are outdoors, you should stay outside and move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, streetlights, and tall trees. Should an earthquake happen at Casa Herrera and you are outside sitting in the corridor areas, you should calmly walk out to the center courtyard and remain there during the earthquake and continue to stay there for 5-10 minutes following the earthquake.
. If you are at your homestay during an earthquake, again “duck, cover, and hold on” and please follow your family’s instructions on how to exit the house once the earthquake is over. If the earthquake happens in the evening when you are in bed, STAY IN BED and cover your head protectively with a pillow. Proceed to evacuate once the earthquake is over.
WHAT TO DO AFTER AN EARTHQUAKE . If you are indoors, you should calmly walk outside once the earthquake is over and move away from power lines and buildings and remain outside for at least 5-10 minutes due to possible aftershocks. At Casa Herrera, the center courtyard area is considered the house’s “safe zone” following an earthquake. Once the rooms have been inspected for damage, Casa Herrera staff will advise students if they can resume with class.
. If you are outdoors, you should stay outside and move to an open area away from buildings, power lines, streetlights, and tall trees. If you are in the courtyard area at Casa Herrera, continue to stay there for 5-10 minutes following the earthquake until Casa Herrera staff tells you it is safe to return indoors.
. After an earthquake, the On-Site Coordinator will contact all students by text message or phone call to determine if everyone is safe. In a disaster situation where cell phone signals and/or power should go down because of earthquake damage, students should immediately report to the Central Park area (on the San José Cathedral side) to meet your professor and both On-Site and Operations Coordinators for check-in and instructions.
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Volcanoes
In addition to the occasional tremor Volcán de Fuego or earthquake, Guatemala also experiences volcanic activity. This activity is monitored by Guatemala’s National Institute of Seismology, Vulcanology, Meteorology, and Hydrology (INSIMUVEH), which has lookouts stationed in various points around the area. There are four volcanoes in close proximity to Antigua: Volcán de Agua, Volcán de Fuego, Volcán Acatenango, and Volcán Pacaya.
1) Volcán de Agua The Volcán de Agua has been inactive since the mid-sixteenth century. Agua is located approximately 5-10 miles south of Antigua and is a prominent physical presence in the city’s landscape. Although the volcano is inactive, it does have the potential of producing debris flows or mudslides due to heavy rains and over saturated ground.
2) Volcán Acatenango Acatenango is a dormant volcano located about 10 miles southwest of Antigua. It is the twin volcano of Volcán de Fuego. The last documented reports of activity for Acatenango date from 1924-1927. Dangers for this volcano include debris flows or mudslides due to heavy rains and over saturated ground.
3) Volcán de Fuego Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. It made news in September 2012 due to eruptions that prompted government officials to evacuate several communities living near the volcano. Fuego is approximately 8,500 years old and has erupted at least 60 times in its lifetime. The volcano is located about 10 miles southwest of Antigua. Dangers during an eruption include lava flow, shooting ash or ashfall (which can travel several miles away from the volcano depending on wind conditions), sulfur dioxide (SO2) gas emission, debris avalanches, and earthquakes. Communities that are most impacted by eruptions are those at the base of the volcano (which Antigua is not).
4) Volcán Pacaya Pacaya is located approximately 15-20 miles south of Antigua and is a popular tourist attraction. After being dormant for almost a century, the volcano erupted in 1965 and has been active ever since. Several tour operators organize hikes up 38 Updated 3/15/17
Pacaya for tourists to see the constant lava streams that flow from its peak. In May 2010, Pacaya was in the news because of an eruption that caused ashfall, which reached areas of Guatemala City located 20 miles away. Compared to Fuego, Pacaya is normally characterized by smaller eruptions, but the occasional explosive eruption does occur as seen in 2010. Dangers during eruptions include shooting ash or ashfall (which can travel several miles away from the volcano depending on wind conditions), heavy lava flow, and avalanches caused by collapses of the volcanic crater.
PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE DURING VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS Although Antigua’s surrounding volcanoes have not posed any major threat to the city in the last few decades, it is helpful to know what to do in case of an emergency. Ashfall is the bigger culprit in a volcanic eruption (mainly from Fuego) that could impact Antigua, if weather permitting. Strong winds can push shooting ash debris into the air towards neighboring towns up to 20 miles away filling the atmosphere with dust clouds and fumes.
Should a volcanic eruption occur and ashfall reach Antigua, students should stay indoors and avoid going outside or opening windows /doors that allow ash to enter the building. Casa Herrera’s On-Site Coordinator will maintain contact with students by cell phone to ensure that everyone is safe. Once the ash has cleared away, the On-Site Coordinator will inform students by text message or phone call when it is safe to go outside. In a disaster situation where students may need to evacuate buildings, students should cover their mouths with a damp cloth (or, if available, a disposable dust mask) to prevent inhalation of hazardous fumes and debris, wear sunglasses to protect eyes from dust outside, and follow all instructions given by Casa Herrera staff or emergency personnel.
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Travel Documents Passport All students should have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months past the end date of their study abroad program (e.g., If the program ends on April 21, your passport should be valid to at least October 21).
It is recommended that you make a photocopy of your passport and keep it with you at all times as a form of identification. NEVER carry your actual passport. Your passport should remain stored in your locker at Casa Herrera or at your homestay residence throughout the duration of the study abroad program. Visas Students do not need to apply for a student visa. If you are an American citizen, you are allowed to stay in Guatemala for up to three months (a total of 90 days). Students from countries outside the United States will need to check if their country is exempt from visas. Please visit the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Guatemala webpage for a complete listing of visa-exempt countries: http://www.minex.gob.gt/Visor_Pagina.aspx?PaginaID=22
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Travel Resources
International SOS Travel Briefing
Study abroad students are asked during the pre-departure orientation to review the International SOS travel briefing. Resident scholars, visiting faculty, and UT staff staying at Casa Herrera or participating in Casa programs are also advised to review the International SOS travel briefing.
https://www.internationalsos.com/en/
Other Resources
US Department of State Travel International Travel Information for Guatemala http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1129.html This page provides general information about Guatemala.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) – US State Department https://step.state.gov/step/ This service allows you to register your travel through the US State Department and receive up to date information about the country were you are traveling, including travel alerts and warnings.
Travel Warnings – US State Department http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html This webpage allows you to review travel warnings issued by the US State Department across the globe.
Embassy of the United States - Guatemala http://guatemala.usembassy.gov/
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Packing
It is a good idea to pack light as you will be responsible for carrying your own luggage. Here is a recommended packing list to assist you. This list does not mean that these are the only things you should bring, but are items that we encourage you to include as you pack.
Clothing • Rubber flip flops (for indoor use) • Comfortable and sturdy walking shoes (Antigua has cobblestone streets and you will be walking – a lot. Shoes such as flip flops, high heels, platforms, and expensive designer shoes are NOT recommended. If you wear these types of shoes, you might get blisters or trip!) • 3-4 comfortable shirts and 2 pairs of long pants (To enter some churches in Antigua, women are asked to wear long skirts below the knee or pants. No shorts are allowed). • 1 pair of shorts • 1 light rain jacket (during Holy Week, it can occasionally rain) • 1 sweater (nights can sometimes cool to the low 60s) • 1-2 casual dinner outfits • 1-2 sets of clothing you don’t mind getting dirty! (This is for studio time and alfombra-making day) • For the ladies, please bring 1 shawl for entering churches if you plan to wear tank tops or sleeves shirts.
Health • Prescription medications in original bottle/antibiotics • Mosquito repellant • Anti-itch or cortisone cream • Sunscreen • Hand sanitizer • Imodium, Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol, and cold/allergy medicine • Traveler’s kit of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste and toothbrush • Bath and toiletries (contacts/contact solution, cosmetics, particular brand names you use, mini-first aid kit, feminine hygiene products)
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• Smartphone • Digital camera • 3-prong to 2-prong adapter • Hair dryer, curling iron, flat iron
Travel Documents • Passport and 1 photocopy of your passport • ISIC card (if applicable) • Hard copy of your airline tickets • Hard copy of your debit and credit cards
Other Stuff • Debit card/Credit card (Visa is most widely accepted) • Umbrella • Small flashlight • Battery-powered traveler’s alarm clock • Nalgene or reusable water bottle • Language dictionary (pocket-size) • Sunglasses • Hat/ball cap (when making the alfombra, students will be out in the sun for long periods of time) • Journal • Sturdy laundry bag
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Casa Herrera Policies and Procedures
1. Sign In/Sign Out Students will be assigned a Casa Herrera ID card to access the facilities. Students must present this card to the Casa guard when entering and leaving Casa Herrera. Casa guards rotate every six hours, so it is important to have your Casa ID with you so they know who you are. Students are not allowed to bring outside guests into Casa without first consulting with Casa administration.
2. Common Areas Students are allowed to consume food/drink other than water in sealed containers in the common areas. The common areas are the walkways surrounding the courtyard area, the main courtyard, the back garden, the student lounge (near the Administration Office), or in your classroom.
3. Resident Scholars Spaces As Casa Herrera is both a learning and research facility, residential scholars will be periodically living and working at Casa. Students may not enter any resident bedrooms (vacant or occupied) at any time. Students may enter resident offices with the resident’s permission. In addition, students need to respect common areas and keep them clean, as these areas are shared with resident scholars.
In addition, students are asked to respect the regular office/public hours of Casa Herrera, which are from 8:00am – 6:00pm. This provides resident scholars an opportunity to have some private time for study and rest in the evening and early morning hours.
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4. Personal Property Protection The University of Texas at Austin is not responsible for the personal property of students. This includes items such as personal laptops and cell phones. It is each student’s responsibility to secure personal property appropriately in his/her backpack, Casa Herrera locker, or assigned homestay.
5. Telephone A main telephone is located in the Administration Office. With the permission of administrative staff, local phone calls are allowed only if a student needs to reach his/her homestay family or has an immediate emergency. If a student wishes to make an international call, these calls can be made via Skype or with a personal cell phone. There are also Internet cafés in town that provide international calling services.
6. Casa Herrera Furniture and Facilities Students are to respect all furniture (e.g., rocking chairs, sofas, tables) and building architecture of Casa Herrera. Students are liable for any damages, accidental or malicious in nature, found on furniture and architecture proven to be caused by student misuse or carelessness.
Students are not allowed to take any house supplies from Casa Herrera (e.g., toilet paper rolls, pots and pans, dishware etc.). These items should remain at the facilities at all times. If you have a special need, please inform Casa’s administrative staff.
7. Kitchen Space Casa Herrera is suited with one kitchen adjacent to the common dining area that is equipped with refrigerator/freezer, microwave, some kitchen appliances, dishwasher, and an electric stovetop and oven. The kitchen is NOT available for study abroad students, but is reserved for Casa Herrera resident use only.
If a student should need to use utensils or dishware while at Casa Herrera, he/she should consult and request these items from Casa Herrera administrative staff. Students are not allowed to “borrow” Casa Herrera pots, pans, or any dishware to use at their homestays. These items need to remain at Casa Herrera for resident use.
8. Noise and Quiet Because Casa Herrera also provides housing and office space for resident scholars, it is important to keep noise levels to a minimum. Students are asked to be mindful of undue noises or disturbances during Casa Herrera work hours (8 AM – 6 PM). This includes the use of audio and music equipment, laptops and video equipment, and other devices in a manner to disturb any member of Casa’s programs. This also includes other noise-making such as singing, dancing, shouting, running, moving furniture, etc. at a disturbing level.
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9. Prohibited Items The following items are prohibited in Casa Herrera: • Animals, including cats, dogs (with the exception of service dogs), birds, insects, and/or reptiles • Any type of alcoholic beverages or drugs • Bicycles, skateboards and roller skates • Candles, incense, firecrackers, open flames or any fire hazardous materials • Confetti, glitter, sand, hay, rock, salt, silly string, shaving cream or dance powder of any kind • Firearms • Motor vehicles that are not authorized for Casa administrative staff • Weapons of any kind (real or facsimile) including canes and sticks
10. Alcohol and Drug Policy Casa Herrera, as a unit of The University of Texas at Austin, prohibits the possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or illegal drugs on Casa Herrera grounds and for student activities organized by Casa Herrera. For any study abroad student who violates this rule, he/she will be subjected to the conditions and consequences as stated in the Student Disciplinary Issues: Code of Conduct section of this handbook.
There is absolutely no smoking allowed inside Casa Herrera, which includes both interior spaces (i.e., classrooms, offices, lounge, kitchen, public bathrooms, bedrooms) and exterior spaces (i.e., courtyard, back garden, open corridors) of the house. Residents, students, and/or guests of Casa Herrera who would like to smoke may do so outside the main entrance.
11. Earthquake Safety Earthquake drills are conducted throughout the year. All students are required to follow prescribed procedures during the drills as instructed by Casa Herrera staff.
12. Fire Hazards The following items are prohibited because they are serious potential fire hazards:
• Open flames, such as candles, or incense • Appliances with exposed heating elements • Appliances which overload the electrical system • Fireworks • Use of paints • Halogen lamps • Smoking
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Student Disciplinary Issues Code of Conduct All students at The University of Texas at Austin are bound by the Institutional Rules on Student Services and Activities given in The General Information Catalog. Regulations and procedures regarding student discipline and conduct are set forth in Chapter 11 of the Institutional Rules. These institutional rules are intended to facilitate the educational process and to promote a safe, fair, and successful experience for students.
Students who participate in The University of Texas at Austin study abroad programs are representatives of the University and their country for the duration of their time in the program. The student will conduct him/herself appropriately and respectfully, and understands that misconduct abroad can lead to withdrawal from the program and a return home to the U.S. at the student’s own expense, with no refund. Upon the student’s return to the University, the Office of the Dean of Students may also initiate disciplinary action.
Misconduct abroad refers to student’s actions that violate the standards set forth in this document, as well as conduct that jeopardizes the student’s own welfare or that of fellow students and/or the program itself. Such actions include, but are not limited to, the following activities and behavior, from which the student agrees to refrain.
I, as a participant in The University of Texas at Austin study abroad programs, agree to refrain from the following activities and behavior:
• Violence against others. This is defined as striking or doing any other physical harm to another. • Verbal abuse of faculty, staff, individuals employed by or facilitating any aspect of the program, or students. • Obstruction of UT or host university classes or obstruction of other UT or host university activities. • Theft of or vandalism to property. • Unauthorized entry to or use of UT or host university facilities or technology. • Disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating conduct, gestures or actions.
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• Violations of residential guidelines and/or rules established by hosts, including, but not limited to, unauthorized overnight guests, excessive noise, rowdy conduct, and drunkenness. • Criminal behavior or violation of local laws. • Violation of any policies contained in this document, the Responsibilities of Participation document, and/or orientation materials or sessions. • Failure to follow the guidelines, directives, timetables, and instructions of program staff or faculty members, including staff of the UT Study Abroad Office, UT faculty and staff abroad, and host institution faculty and staff. • Falsification or alteration of academic or personal records, including, but not limited to, any unauthorized alteration of transcripts or grade reports, any verbal or written misrepresentation of student records. • Academic dishonesty, which may include cheating or plagiarism. Academic dishonesty may be defined differently at different institutions and in different countries; it is your responsibility to learn and abide by the rules of the host institution or program in which you are enrolled. • Self-endangerment, including involvement in activities or behavior that could result in personal harm, including, but not limited to, frequenting of dangerous places, association with criminals, repeated intoxication, etc. • Violation of the alcohol and drug policies as set forth by the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System.
Responsibilities of Participation Each student is expected to complete all assignments for their courses, both those imparted by UT faculty and PLFM. These classes should be treated as any other University course at The University of Texas at Austin campus or the student’s home institution.
Dismissal Policy If there is an allegation against a study abroad student regarding misconduct, the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator will conduct an investigation and the student will be asked to participate in a disciplinary conference. During the conference, the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator will speak with the student regarding the misconduct allegation, the regulations and policy allegedly violated, the disciplinary resolution process, and the student’s response to the allegations. The UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator also have the right to interview any witnesses she or he identifies as valuable to the investigation.
After the disciplinary conference and based on the conclusions of the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator, the following actions may take place:
• Verbal warning A student will receive a verbal warning from the UT Faculty Leader and/or On- Site Coordinator if it is determined that the student’s behavior was not in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct. In addition to detailing the consequences and expectations for future behavior, the student will be warned 48 Updated 3/15/17
that failure to follow the rules and guidelines of the Code of Conduct will merit further and more severe disciplinary action.
• Written warning A student will receive a written warning from the UT Faculty Leader and/or On- Site Coordinator if (1) the student committed a second misconduct offense that violated the rules and guidelines of the Code of Conduct following his/her verbal warning, or (2) the student committed a misconduct offense so severe that it prompted an immediate written warning. Written warnings constitute notice that a student’s behavior is unacceptable and that further violations will result in the student’s dismissal from the program. If necessary, the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator have the right to restrict activities should he/she feel that those activities are directly related to the misconduct offense.
• Dismissal from study abroad program A student may be dismissed from the program if he/she violates the conditions of a previous written warning or if the student has committed an offense that warranted an immediate dismissal. Such activities may include, but are not limited to: academic misconduct, eviction from housing on grounds of inappropriate conduct, exceeding the number of unexcused absences from class allowed for the program, destruction of property, posing a safety hazard to oneself or others, and/or criminal conduct including the possession of illegal substances (e.g., marijuana).
If after the disciplinary conference the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator determine that the student’s behavior requires immediate dismissal, he/she will contact UT’s Study Abroad Office (SAO) to discuss the situation and for permission to proceed with disciplinary action. If the dismissal is authorized by the SAO, the UT Faculty Leader and/or On-Site Coordinator will issue a Dismissal Notice to the student.
• Consequences of dismissal Following the issuance of the Dismissal Notice, the student’s participation in the program will end immediately. The student will be expected to leave the premises of all study abroad activities. The student will also receive “F” grades for all his/her courses and a possible deletion of the official registration record or withdrawal from the applicable term for an exchange or affiliated program participant.
The student will not be entitled to a refund of fees. If the student was living with a homestay family, he/she will be responsible for finding and financing his/her own housing and his/her return trip back to the U.S. In addition, if the student received any UT financial assistance, he/she may be responsible for reimbursing those funds.
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Disclaimer for Casa Herrera Program As a condition of Participant’s involvement with or participation in the program activities, the Participant will release, waive, discharge, and agree to hold harmless The University of Texas at Austin from all liability arising out of or in connection with Participant’s involvement with and/or participation in the program activities at Casa Herrera.
Participants of all Casa Herrera programs must acknowledge that the country/countries in which the Casa Herrera program activities may take place in whole or in part, or any other country through which the Participant may travel when involved with and/or participating in the program activities, or while in route to or from the program activities, may have health and safety standards substantially below those enjoyed in the United States. Participant must further acknowledge the inherent hazardous and dangerous nature of the program activities as well as the above-referenced risks of participating in the program activities or in traveling to, through or from the country/countries in which the program activities will take place, and must agree to assume all risk of illness, injury, or death from Participant’s travel to or from the program activities and participation therein.
No University of Texas at Austin student, faculty, or staff can be required to travel to a Restricted Region (http://world.utexas.edu/risk/travelpolicy). Any participation in travel to a Restricted Region is strictly voluntary, and the participant assumes full responsibility for all risks associated with this travel.
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