22nd NCSU Ethnographic Field School, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala
Summer, May 22 – July 13, 2015 (7.5 weeks)
Learn how to design, conduct, investigate and write up your own independent
project while living with a local family on the shores of Lake Atitlán,
Guatemala. Throughout the program, you will learn about the Maya while
developing skills in project design and fieldwork as you carry out your own
research project.
Whether you are an undergraduate, a graduate student, just finished college,
learning how to collect data and talk to people is beneficial not only for
those in anthropology, but also for those in many other majors, including
sociology, international studies, public health, history, education,
textiles, natural resource management, business and management,
sociolinguistics, political science, psychology, design and civil
engineering. Anyone interested is encouraged to apply, especially students
interested in topics such as development, environment, globalization, social
justice, tourism, conservation, Fair Trade, textile design and
entrepreneurship, language, development, poverty and health.
The internationally known NCSU Guatemala EFS is unique in that it offers
students an opportunity to see what research is really like, to do your own
project, to manage your own time and work according to the needs of your
topic and also to challenge yourself by living in a Maya community with a
local family. (All of them have been working with us for years and they know
what we expect and enjoy having students in their homes.) In most cases
students live in a small community by themselves, although other students
are in nearby communities. We keep the seminars to a minimum so students can
have enough time to work on their projects; we want students to learn by
doing, with intensive and in-depth hands-on learning. Our 22 years of
experience, confirmed by the testimonials of previous participants, has
shown us that the learning-by-immersion process really works to develop
successful researchers and program designers. Of course, the setting, around
Lake Atitlán, is incomparable, never a dull moment, and the Maya people are
gracious and welcoming.
Not sure how your interests may fit into the topics listed? Contact the
program Directors, Dr. Tim Wallace (tmwallace@mindspring.com
<mailto:tmwallace@mindspring.com> ) and Dr. Chantell LaPan
(cmlapan@ncsu.edu), to discuss potential opportunities for your areas of
interest. Each student may choose any topic for his or her independent
research project. Service learning opportunities are also possible. This
program is open to students from any course of study and university. The
$3650 fee includes all expenses (except airfare- about $550), including room
and board, insurance, in-country travel and tuition for 6 credit hours.
Apply through the NCSU Study Abroad Office
<http://legacy.studyabroad.ncsu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgra
m&Program_ID=1146&Type=O&sType=O> . Visit Dr. Wallace¹s Guatemala Program
website <http://faculty.chass.ncsu.edu/wallace/> for more information and
photos from previous years. The final deadline for receipt of applications
is February 15, 2015, but decisions are made on a rolling acceptance basis.
PSU Anthropology Department 
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