Program Reviews

Being apart of this experience has really been so amazing. I became so close with the kids and built strong relationships with them. Even though I couldn’t speak Spanish and they couldn’t speak English the experiences and memories I made with them were unforgettable. The teachers there were outstanding. They welcomed us in with open arms the first day we got there and were so patient with us when we didn’t understand something. I even learned more spanish here in 3 weeks than I have in 2 years back in the states. Even though I had some background spanish and knew the basic words and phrases, at times it was really hard communicating with everyone not only at the school but in other places like ordering food and asking questions. I feel like if I were to come back and do it again, I would want to be fluent.The weekend trips that we took are what made it worth it. We went on so many fun weekend trips and it really made the trip so memorable. I also have celiacs disease so I came here a little worried about finding gluten free food that I can eat but I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of options they have for my accommodation. I overall had a really good experience and would highly recommend it if you are looking into doing it.

It was a really good experience!!!! We got to know all the kids and created bonds with them! It was eye opening to help them learn English and gave me a greater appreciation for anyone at home who speaks a second language. Our housing was not ideal and could use a really deep clean but our food was great and host mom was good to us. Sometimes at the project I felt like I wasn’t doing anything then other times I felt like me being there had a direct impact on these kids. I would come back and visit Guatemala! The weekend trips made the weekdays worth it. I’m really glad we traveled around and got to see some pretty cool places. I would not recommend if you don’t know Spanish or are not with someone who is fluent!!

I don't doubt that the TEFL course would not have been as amazing as it was if it wasn't for my amazing instructor Annabelle. She made class so fun and was always keeping us engaged with laughs and valuable information. She truly made this trip and experience amazing! She always made herself available if we needed help with anything. Her instructions were clear and helpful. I feel more than confident to begin to ESL teaching career thanks to her. She was thoughtful, respectful and made an impact on me.

I’m extremely glad to have picked my last elective for medical school in Guatemala. From the beginning, Máximonivel has been patient with all the paperwork that my friend and I required for our university, and they were able to find a clinic which fulfilled both of our interests for a clinical rotation. I will never forget the time we spent helping los ancianos in Ciudad Vieja, the beautiful ruins we visited in Antigua and all the delicious food we tried upon recommendation from the staff. Thank you all for this amazing experience!

I did a medical internship at Ciudad Vieja with Maximo Nivel and it was a really nice experience. We had a lot of autonomy as there are no other doctors working there and we were really able to see the lives of patients as we went to their houses to do home visits. The staff were very kind though it took some getting used to the lack of labs and imagery.
Maximo Nivel also proved to be a great experience for cultural immersion as we lived with a family as well as the Spanish classes and opportunities to do salsa, cooking and one on one Spanish practices with natives.

I decided to do the online TEFL courses through Maximo Nivel, while I’m still in college. The courses were still manageable during this time and also very informative. Throughout these courses, I have learned a lot and also had a great instructor who was always there if need be. Mackenzie helped me through the process and gave me helpful & supportive feedback to get me where I should be. Along with this, the practical teaching online is very rewarding and the students are very patient with you, as is the instructor. I highly recommend this course and program!

In the midst of a career change and a big move, I started the TEFL program. I needed to leave it for a bit, and my mentor supported me through the process of taking time and coming back. In the end, I had a great experience, completed the course and really enjoyed the teaching experience in the program. I look forward to using my certification to teach and tutor in Central America and online, as a paid teacher and volunteer. This has been one of my favorite learning experiences after several university degrees and vocational programs.

I appreciated how positive and welcoming the staff were. They were very honest about what to expect from this experience so I felt very prepared before coming to Guatemala. Also, I was surprised at how immersive and hands-on my experience at the elderly home was and it was a great opportunity to learn and practice Spanish. Although I was here for a short time, it was very rewarding to know that my friends and I were able to communicate with the staff of Casa Maria to find out what their specific needs were. We then relayed those needs to the Maximo Nivel staff who were appreciative of the information and eager to utilize humanitarian funds to ensure that those needs are met.

I had an amazing time supported by Máximo Nivel in Peru volunteering at a nearby rural clinic. I gained invaluable experience and felt like I made a difference. Emails were responded to promptly and the staff were always so friendly and helpful. They were even available during the national holiday Corpus Christi. Shoutout to Becca, Dina, Alfred, Lucas, and Patrick (and the rest of the staff of course). I highly recommend Máximo Nivel and I can’t wait to travel with them again in Guatemala or Costa Rica!

I was skeptical at first when I was planning my staying in Guatemala. But the outcome was excellent: everyone from the staff to the locals to the host fam was highly welcoming and helpful throughout my 8 days in Guatemala. The trips I attended were all amazing: Monterrico and Acatenango were two beautiful excursion that further amplified my love towards the country. The highlight was the volunteering: helping children in one of the poorest neighborhoods of the country was heart warming, the sole action of making them smile gave me the forces to wake up every day. This experience changed me and my way to see education.