Guatemala - Summer 2025

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

Program Dates

May 10 - May 18, 2026

UIS students and staff mixing concrete for the flooring of the house in Guatemala
Volunteers Mixing Concrete

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.

Program Cost

UIS group building a cinderblock house in Guatemala
UIS Group Building a House

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

Scholarships

Apply for the UIS Donor-Sponsored Scholarship by February 17th, 2026 at noon. Indicate within the application that you plan to participate on a study away program.

Passport & Visa

Antigua, Guatemala. A colorful city with volcano in background
Antigua, Guatemala
  • 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. 

Additional Information

Contact Lauren Roalkvan (lroal@uis.edu), Associate Director of Global Engagement, if you have questions or need more information.

Location

Antigua, Guatemala - UNESCO site