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 i 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