Prairie Stars Volunteer in Guatemala
Application Deadline: February 15, 2026
Overview
Build a house in 4-5 days
Community-Based Learning
Non-Credit Program
Program Leaders
Dr. Jamarco Clark
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
Ryan Bye
Director of Strategy and Partnerships
Dates & Location
May 10 - May 18, 2026
Antigua, Guatemala
Requirements
- Must be a current UIS student in good academic standing.
- Must have a valid passport to participate in the program.
- Participants must be willing and able to perform physical tasks such as: mixing cement, laying tiles and assembling structures. Program leaders will work with individuals who have accommodations.
Overview
- This is a non-credit, community-based learning program.
- UIS works in collaboration with the on-site partner ImagininGuatemala.
- UIS students will help construct a home for Guatemalan families in need.
- Families currently live in makeshift shelters made from cornstalks, scraps of wood, metal, or cardboard. They often cook their meals in the same room where they sleep, and their floors are made of dirt. Understanding the insecurity and health risks these conditions present, ImagininGuatemala collaborates with various organizations to build safe homes and provide proper cooking facilities for these families.
Housing
- Students will be housed with Guatemalan host families.
- Multiple UIS students stay with the same host family.
- Host families provide most breakfasts and dinners for the participants.
- Students will have a 20-25 minute daily commute via a truck/bus to and from the worksite.
Program Cost
Students are charged $2,400 USD, this includes the following:
- Transportation from UIS to St. Louis airport
- Roundtrip airfare from St. Louis to Guatemala City
- Airport transfer in Guatemala
- All ground transportation while in Guatemala
- Housing - homestay (living with a family)
- Most meals in Guatemala
- Equipment used to build a home
Note: Meals during travel days are NOT included.
Scholarships
Apply for the UIS Donor-Funded Institutional Scholarship by February 17th, 2026 at noon. Indicate within the application that you plan to participate on a study away program.
Passport & Visa
- Students will require a passport to participate on this program.
- For assistance securing a U.S. Passport, visit Travel.State.Gov.
- U.S. citizens will NOT require a visa in order to participate in this program.
Application
- Students apply online via the EngageU Application.
- The EngageU Application must be completed and submitted in one sitting.
- Students must provide proof of a passport on the application.
- Students must identify a person to serve as a "Recommender" to speak on behalf of their character. The Recommender will be prompted to answer a series of scalable questions. A recommendation letter is NOT needed.
- The Application will then be routed to UIS approvers for review.
Location
Antigua, Guatemala - UNESCO site
The information gathered below is from GoinGlobal. Take a deeper dive into the cultural advice via the GoinGlobal Country Guides.
- Daily Life - understand the history, the people & values, views of time management along with the cuisine and meal etiquette
- Communication - learn about appropriate communication methods, including negotiation & correspondence styles, language skills & vocabulary
- Acting Like a Local - avoid acting like a tourist by learning these taboos & helpful hints
Additional Information
Contact: Lauren Roalkvan (lroal@uis.edu), Associate Director of Global Engagement, if you have questions or need more information.