Spring Break 2026
Spring Break and Community Clinic - March 2026 (7-14 March 2026)
Join GHI for our 21st Annual Spring Break Trip! March 7–14, 2026
Designed for undergraduate and graduate student-aged participants, this immersive experience introduces students to the Tz'utujil Maya community of Santiago Atitlán and the Lake Atitlán region. Highlights include:
- Learning about local food traditions and cooking practices
- Volunteering with an elementary school partner
- Supporting Hospitalito Atitlán through rural primary care clinics
- Exploring community medicine alongside Guatemalan professionals
The trip blends cultural learning with hands-on volunteer activities in both education and health. Participants will also enjoy a day on Lake Atitlán and a day in the colonial city of Antigua.
Special opportunities:
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If the coffee harvest is still underway, join local farmers for a morning of harvesting coffee cherries.
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Arrive two days early to connect with Guatemalan university students before the trip begins.
This year’s trip will be led by Drs. Bream and Siddiqui. Contact GHI to learn more or to register!
Typical itinerary (subject to change!)
| Thursday March 5 | Friday March 6 | Saturday March 7 | Sunday March 8 | Monday March 9 through Friday March 13 | Saturday March 14 | Sun March 15 | |
| Early arrrival in GUA | Visit to University | Normal Arrival | Travel to Santiago | Volunteer at local School | Shop at Market and learn to prepare team meals | Lake tour | Depart from GUA by Noon |
| Stay in Cayala | Meet GUA med students | Visit Antigua | Tour the town | Support Rural Health clinics | Visit cultural sites and events inside Santiago | Early departure for those with Saturday evenign or early Sunday mornign flights | |
Cost
| Trip Participation Fees for 2025-2026 GHI (subject to change) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trip |
Current Penn Student/Faculty/Staff (Early Bird*) |
Current Penn Student/Faculty/Staff (Full Fee) |
| GHI Global Community Health Immersion Week -shared room accommodations | $2000 | $2500 |
| Immersion Wk Add ons: | ||
| Single occupancy room supplement | $400/wk | $600/wk |
| Extra days for early arrival or late departure | $80/add'l day | $100/add'l day |
| Upgraded Hotel to Hotel Bambu (if available) | $800/wk | $1000/wk |
* Early Bird Discount Deadline: 30 January 2026, 11:59 PM.
| Cancellation Policy: | Fees are only refundable if cancelled by the following schedule.) |
|---|---|
| Saturday, January 24th 2026 | 50% refund minus $200 registration fee. Reigstration fee can be applied to future trip for 2 years. |
| Saturday, February 7th 2026 | 25% refund, credit of 25% and $200 registration fee towards future trip within 2 years. |
| Saturday, February 14th 2026 | Non-refundable, credit of 25% and $200 registration fee towards future trip within 2 years. |