▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ Winter 2000/2001 AmeriSpan: Off The Wire Issue XV Partner School Changes A Brief History of the Maya Dense jungle has made it very AmeriSpan is constantly striving to offer the best programs in every location where we offer programs. In keeping with that, difficult to uncover much of the we have dropped our program in San Miguel de Allende (México) and switched partner schools in Buenos Aires (Argentina) and Cusco (Perú). Our new partners in Buenos Aires and Cusco offer improved language programs, more organized adminis- The Mayan civilization was in exist- site and evidence of looting has trations and better atmospheres. ence for over 3,000 years from about made it difficult to put all of the 1800 BC until 1540 AD. Their works of pieces together to obtain the full Morelia Offers Group Classes art, architecture, and inventions fall story of this city-state. Over the past several years, our partner in Morelia has been forced to increase their prices on their highly recommended into 3 distinct time periods: The Pre- Cancuen is one of many sites one-on-one program. Now, Morelia offers an excellent group program at a very reasonable price. Classic, Classic, and Post Classic throughout the Mayan World, but periods. Archaeologists have been two of the best-known sites are able to pinpoint when many of the Customized Internships Copán in Honduras and Tikal in We are happy to announce that we are able to fill requests for specific occupational areas for volunteer placements & Mayan cities where built based on the Guatemala. Copán, located in internships in Cordoba Argentina. Placement areas include but are not limited to: banking, government, marketing, econom- evolution of the writing, drawings, and ics, medicine, tourism, psychology, engineering, and architecture. architecture at each Mayan city. western Honduras, is best known for its intricate carvings and The ancient Mayan city of Getting There inscriptions on building remains and Tikal in Guatemala. Many times it is difficult for our participants to purchase airline tickets for flights within Latin America from the US. Now, Mysteries of the Maya statues. Its culture was full of written AmeriSpan can offer packages which include airport transfers, hotel night, and one-way airfare for the following programs: documents, a trait unique to Cuenca, Cusco, Merida-Venezuela, Puerto la Cruz and Sucre. For centuries, archaeologists and precolumbian sites. These detailed Evolution of Mayan Art and Writing explorers have been mystified and ruins have been studied and visited JH Extends Again Pottery was one of the first Mayan art intrigued by Mayan ruins, which since the 1500’s. Excavations at Johns Hopkins has received the green light from the FDA to expand their research study and has extended their cut-off date forms during the Pre-Classic Period. There encompass five countries (Mexico, Copán are ongoing. to August 2001. Remember, this is where language program participants in Antigua or Cuernavaca receive $450-$600 Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, and is Mayan pottery in existence dating back stipends. Tikal, located in the jungle of to 1000 BC. Honduras). Archaeologists and Guatemala, was once one of the tourists come from all over the world greatest cities in the world in its During the Classic Period, the Maya to study and visit ruins, which lie in time. During its highpoint, Tikal had expanded their art working to include not the Mayan World. New artifacts are over 100,000 inhabitants and was only pottery but other art mediums and still being discovered and we are the capital city. Its towering temples materials including: Stelae (intricately learning more about the Maya every and jungle location make Tikal one of carved historical records), Jade (usually in the forms of masks), Ceramics (made year. the most visited Mayan sites. without a pottery wheel), and Mural A recent discovery deep in the Visitors to Copán and Tikal will be jungle of northern Guatemala has Paintings. Much of the Mayan art work amazed at the remains from a changed some of the previous during the Classic Period tells a story of civilization that existed for over ceremonies, people, or historical events. conceptions that archaeologists had 1,000 years. Anyone interested in regarding the Mayan civilization. It THE BRIDG E BETWEEN CULTU RES visiting Tikal or Copán can book trips In the late Classic and early Post-Classic was believed that the foundation of through our office in Antigua, Guate- period, the Mayans began to use written Mayan civilization was based on mala. narratives to record astronomy and P.O. Box 40007 warfare and religion. However, a site astrology related events. Of the thou- Philadelphia, PA 19106-0007 called Cancuen, has raised serious Email: [email protected] sands of written narratives made by the questions regarding whether or not Tel: 011-(502) 832-0164. Maya, only three still exist today. all Mayans relied on warfare and For complete program descriptions, religion to survive. This site has no applications, prices and more, visit temples nor does it show any ▲▲▲▲▲ ▲▲▲▲▲ our web site at: evidence of war or warfare. The In This Issue http://www.amerispan.com palace at Cancuen is one of the Letter from the Editors & Medical Programs & Seminars ..................... 2 largest in the Maya world and The Cheapest Country on Earth & Ÿou don’t look Latino! .................. 3 stands over three stories tall. It is Country Close-up: Brazil ................................................................... 4 believed that Cancuen’s purpose Who Speaks Spanish Better?............................................................. 5 was as a trading city. Program Profile - Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica ..................................... 6 The site was first discovered in Music Review & New Schools: Growing Pains .................................... 7 the early 20th century and was AmeriSpan: Off the Wire .................................................................... 8 believed to be a small site. Archae- ologists currently working on the site, have discovered that the site is comparable in size to Tikal making it much larger than they previously thought. AmeriSpan Unlimited THE BRIDGE BETWEEN CULTURES Request a Program Catalog 24 hours a day 1-800-879-6640 ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ ▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲▲ Letter From The Editors: Medical Programs & Seminars (continued from page 6) Music Review In 2001, we are offering several special On the weekends, excursions are courses geared towards Medical professionals offered (extra cost) to typical Caught up in the fever of AmeriSpan’s newly added Portuguese in Costa Rica. Costa Rica destinations such as programs in Brazil, I decided to rummage through a few of my volcanoes, rainforest, cloud forest, recently purchased faves featuring artists from that country. Turns A. Specially designed medical course with craft village, other beaches, boat out that I am more of a Latin music junkie than I realized. Choosing Hello Friends, tailored Spanish classes and optional hands-on THE BRIDGE BETWEEN CUL safari, etc. just one album from a Brazilian artist was “mui dificil.” TURES volunteer work. You may do some optional As we start off 2001, we thought that we would reflect on volunteer weeks for 2 weeks after you have Other Comments: the mysterious Mayan Civilization that thrived over 10 finished your course. Dates: Monteverde (Feb I went for the least obscure of the bunch. A CD that can be en- With two weeks notice and a $50 centuries ago in Mexico and Central America. The programs 19 - Mar 2) and Flamingo (Mar 5 – 16). Price: joyed by all: cesaria evora: café atlantico. Relaxing but fresh melo- fee, students are able to switch to in the Yucatán (Cancún & Mérida) and Guatemala (Antigua & $1,165 for one course or $2,200 for both dies. It’s a treasure. You’ll fall in love with Cesaria even if you Quetzaltenango) offer our participants the best opportunities courses taken continuosly. one of the sister campuses in cannot understand a single word she’s saying...you’ll just feel her Monteverde or San Joaquin de to see the impressive ruins left by the Maya. As always, we mood and somehow it all clicks. If you enjoy Buena Vista Music are offering the Yucatán Summer Spanish Institute during July Flores (subject to availability). B. Specially designed medical seminar with Club, this is a must have!! in Mérida, México. This special content program is geared at tailored Spanish classes and hands-on volun- advanced or higher Spanish speakers and focuses on Latin teer work. The volunteer work is integrated Conclusion: American literature and Mayan History including visits to into the course. Dates: San Joaquín de Flores The administration and the -Highly Recommended several sites of Mayan ruins. by Carol LaMastra from AmeriSpan (Apr 15 - May 5). Price $1,570. facilities are first rate, but the school just opened in January The biggest program launch ever has been Flamingo Beach, 2000. During the first year that a The Runner-ups!! Costa Rica. However, the school’s administration struggled school is open, there are always (Portuguese, Spanish and more!) with the fact that 3-4 times as many students attended the Yucatán Summer Spanish Institute some minor set backs as teachers program in 2001 than what had been projected. In this issue, The Yucatán Summer Spanish Institute is a we give a candid review of the program and we have an gain experience, homestays learn * Sergio Mendes – Brasileiro article on the “growing pains” that affect language schools. special content and tour program spon- how to comfortably deal with * Millo Torres y El Tercer Planeta – Caminando sored by our partner school in Mérida, foreign students, etc. It was a bit * Yo Yo Ma – Soul of the Tango Don’t forget that we are now offering Portuguese programs México every summer. Topics include overwhelming at times during year Café Atlantico album in Brazil and this issue’s “Country Close-up” is on Brazil. The Mayan History & Latin American literature.