10+
YEARS OF EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
Our Journey Begins With Passion
Passion for Guatemala's people, culture, and landscapes. We design programs that connect students directly with communities, history, and local expertise. Every itinerary is tailored to support academic goals while fostering meaningful engagement. From immersive experiences to thoughtful reflection, we guide your group every step of the way.
Together, we create journeys that are both educational and unforgettable.
What We Do
We collaborate with university faculty and study abroad departments to design and deliver customized, academically grounded travel programs in Guatemala. Whether for alternative spring breaks, reading weeks or course-specific academic trips, we provide a full-service and truly immersive experience — from curriculum-aligned activities and guest lectures to lodging, transportation, translation, and safety planning.
What sets us apart is our commitment to ethical, community-based learning. We partner with local organizations and leaders to co-create each program. Our partners are never backdrops or boxes to tick — they are co-educators and collaborators who help shape the learning experience from the beginning. We never offer or promise anything that our local partners are not comfortable with or have not agreed to.
We believe that experiential learning, when done well, helps dismantle stereotypes, build mutual understanding, and spark deeper awareness — both for students and for the communities they meet. At GuateImmersion, we don’t just bring students to Guatemala — we invite them to connect with it, to learn with and from its people, and to reflect critically on their role in the world.
Our mission is to create unique and transformative educational experiences in Guatemala through respectful cultural exchange, meaningful collaboration, and ethical engagement.
We envision a future where deep, lasting relationships between international students and Guatemalan communities foster mutual learning, solidarity, and sustained collaboration.
Through immersive experiences, we aim to cultivate engaged global citizens who not only maintain meaningful connections with the people and organizations they encounter in Guatemala, but who are also inspired to seek out and support community-led initiatives closer to home.
Our Values
Ethical Learning & Mutual Respect:
We are guided by the principle that people are subjects, not objects. Local partners, organizations, and communities are co-designers of each program, with full agency and voice. We believe learning goes both ways — and that authentic exchange is only possible through trust and mutual respect.
Intentional Partnerships:
We work with community organizations, locally owned businesses, and ethical providers who align with our values. Whether it’s a women’s weaving cooperative, a grassroots health organization, or a family-run restaurant, we choose our partners with care and intention.
Fair & Equitable Pricing:
While our local base allows us to keep programs affordable, we are equally committed to ensuring fair pay and pricing for everyone involved — from drivers and guides to cooks and speakers. We see community tourism as a powerful tool for economic justice and sustainable development.
Environmental Responsibility:
We’re committed to minimizing the environmental impact of our programs. We strongly discourage single-use plastics, encourage water bottle refills, separate waste whenever possible, and prioritize eco-friendly lodging and transport providers. We believe that respecting Guatemala’s natural beauty goes hand-in-hand with respecting its people.
Our Team
GuateImmersion is a family-run initiative led by husband-and-wife team Pete and Magdony (Maggie), who bring together diverse backgrounds and a shared commitment to creating meaningful, cross-cultural experiences in Guatemala.
Magdony was born and raised in Quetzaltenango and brings deep local knowledge and community ties to the team. A qualified lawyer and yoga teacher, she began working in experiential education in 2022, inspired by the
opportunity to help foster meaningful connections between international students and her home community. Her thoughtful, grounded perspective ensures that each program is designed with care, respect, and local impact in mind.
Pete, originally from the UK, first came to Latin America in 2008. What began as a travel adventure evolved into years of working and volunteering across the region, including roles as a scuba instructor and hiking guide. He eventually found his professional home in the field of experiential education and has lived in Quetzaltenango (commonly known as Xela) for over a decade, settling there permanently in 2016.
Since being rescued in 2019, Zeus has clawed his way to the top of GuateImmersion, mostly by sitting on the paperwork until we gave him the job. He runs a tight ship as CEO (Cat Executive Officer), demanding punctual meal service, premium nap locations, and unconditional admiration. His core skills include sleeping, eating, asking for more food, and sleeping again… usually in the exact spot we need to work.