We've noticed that lots of people considering studying at the Mountain School visit this website.
Give them a sense of what it's like at the school, and help them decide --
It's important that the School maintain a full load of students - otherwise teachers don't get paid, women lose their cooking income, and the scholarship fund can't offer as many becas.
Tell us the latest news, your impressions, anecdotes, experiences.
If you have photos you'd like to share, post them on our flickr group - Escuela de la Montaņa
If you have a question about the Mountain School, ask it here, we'll try to get you an answer.
Name: Kayla Comment: Just wanted to say thanks for initiating the fundraising project and keeping the website going, if I can help let me know.
Name: Charlotte Comment: I went through Guatemala for three weeks and the week I spent here was the most amazing of those. I felt completely comfortable and embraced by these communities. Miriam was an excellent teacher and I long to come back soon and visit this amazing group of dedicated individuals. The host families consisted of the most remarkable people and Pabla, although you barely knew me, you treated me like family. Abrazos y besos a todos mis companeros (y a las mascotas tambien).
Name: Harrison Comment: I'm OK. I had kind of a rough summer with my grandpa undergoing chemotherapy. I enjoyed studying at the mountain school and hope to go back again next year. Misael was a good teacher. I recently wrote some of my longest stories ever.
Name: Katie Comment: I studied at EM in summer of 2007. My teacher, Eduardo, really individualized what we did and I learned so much in one week. My host family was incredibly warm and very patient with my growing language skills. I loved reading books to my host siblings in the evenings. Overall, was my favorite week in Guatemala--during a trip of many wonderful weeks! I can't wait to go back some day.
Name: Meryl Comment: I was at the mountain school for 2 weeks in July 2008. My second week was one of the more chaotic weeks at the school this year- Juliette and Mike's first week as coordinators and the week that Diego was killed. Though it was a very sad week, it also highlighted what is so special about la escuala, which is the genuine friendships and spirit of solidarity among everyone at the school and in the community. And I learned a ton of Spanish- my teacher, Eunice, was awesome and we became good friends.
Name: Megan Lake Comment: I planned to study at the Mountain school for two weeks when I first arrived to Guatemala in October of 2008 and I ended up staying for 5 weeks. Of my 5 months in Guatemala this is the experience I treasure the most, even compared to other Spanish Schools. It gives a very honest glimpse into the lives of native Guatemalans living in a rural community. The teachers are not only well trained, but extremely passionate, and fun-loving! They all became good friends in that time. I highly highly recommend this school for all levels of Spanish, and to anyone interested in seeing and getting to know the real Guatemala. I miss it dearly and cannot wait to return some day.
Name: Geoff Comment: here's a link to a blog about a week at the Mountain School - great description of the place and life there
Name: Claire Comment: La Escuela has wonderful, candid, intelligent teachers, and the individuals and communities I got to connect with were some of the most enriching and fun relationships from my entire visit to guatemala. plus the watermelon fruit breaks make great seed spitting contest!
Name: Peta
Comment: I had the most amazing experience at the Mountain School! The lessons and teachers were obviously of the highest quality but the warmth and kindness I felt from all the families and teachers there was unlike any other. I always look back on my time there with the fondest of memories!
Name: Frida
Comment: I visited the Mountain School in the spring 2008, and I give all my best recommendations! If you go to Guatemala and are going to study spanish, you have to go here! Great teachers, great accomondation, great people och great location. I loved the place and the locals. Go there!! =)
Name: Alida Cantor
Country: USA
Comment: The Mountain School is a truly amazing and inspiring place. I was in Guatemala for three weeks and spent two weeks at PLQ in Xela and one week at the Mountain School. It is extremely beautiful, the people in the village are great, the teachers are really good and also fun people, and the other students are super interesting and from all walks of life. The small school creates a tight little community in even a short amount of time. Your study makes a difference in improving peoples' lives by creating work in this rural community.
Name: Marion
Comment: Just happen to find this today. I've been to the mountain three times -- once before they had electricity and twice when they sort of did. It was wonderful. Abelino is a great storyteller, worth it just to hear him tell the story.
Name: Katie D
Comment: I came to Guatemala looking not only for Spanish lessons, but also for a look at the reality of life there. At the Mountain School, I not only improved my Spanish astronomically, but I also saw amazingly intimate pieces of community life and history. My teacher was wonderful. I heard from community leaders, visited a coffee finca, and learned to cook traditional foods. My visit not only allowed me to improve my communication skills, but also to come to understand this incredible place.
Friends of the Community La Escuela de la Montaña Guatemala Copyright 2009
