Boston & Guatemala (2019)

The second study trip as part of the CAS Design Cultures programme visits North and Central America. The main part of the programme involves visits to various labs at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston, and getting immersed in a social innovation project at Lago de Atitlán in Guatemala.

  • [Translate to English:] Skyline of Boston (Public Domain, Nelson48 at English Wikipedia)[Translate to English:] Skyline of Boston (Public Domain, Nelson48 at English Wikipedia)
  • [Translate to English:] MIT Media Lab - Anton Grassl - Photographers - Esto Photographics[Translate to English:] MIT Media Lab - Anton Grassl - Photographers - Esto Photographics

Travelogue

Insight into the study trip to Guatemala in April 2019. In an Insta story, the course director and the participants report on their experiences in the Mayan community of Santa Catarina Palopó on the shores of Lago de Atitlán.

Key information at a glance

What: Study trip to Boston and Guatemala
Date: mid to late April each year (~12 days)
Outward and return journey: Flights to be individually booked
Accommodation: 4 nights in Boston (accommodation in a shared Airbnb house), 6 nights with Mayan families (the additional 2-3 nights in Guatemala City are to be paid for locally by participants themselves)
Food: With just a few exceptions, food is to be paid for by participants themselves
Costs: CHF 2800 (plus CHF 200 application fee) or component of the CAS Design Cultures programme

Programme

Boston (4 days)
Visit to and workshops at the MIT and an insight into Boston's start-up scene

Guatemala (8 days)
Visit to Guatemala City and accommodation in the Mayan community Santa Catarina Palopó in Lago de Atitlán. Active participation in a social innovation project.

Subject to change. The detailed itinerary for the 2nd trip in April 2020 will be published at the end of 2019.

Preparation

Directly after the workshop on intercultural skills (module 2), there will be a preparatory event for the study trip on Saturday, February 9th, 2019, 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a detailed travel program and getting to know the participants.

Other important preparations:

  • A biometric passport is required to enter the United States
  • The USA requires an ESTA form