Program Reviews

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.

Although short, I had a wonderful time in Antigua. Máximo Nivel was very helpful with resources and set me up for success. The volunteer program at PAIDOS Dueñas was beyond rewarding. The kids were absolutely amazing and smart. I look forward to coming back in the future. Although short, I had a wonderful time in Antigua. Máximo Nivel was very helpful with resources and set me up for success. The volunteer program at PAIDOS Dueñas was beyond rewarding. The kids were absolutely amazing and smart. I look forward to coming back in the future.

I loved my program placement! The kids I was teaching were so sweet and it’s exactly the kind of experience I wanted for my career (I want to be an ESL teacher). The people at Maximo and at my home stay were really kind and I always had something to do in Antigua after my placement ended for the day. In addition, the excursions were really fun. The only negative thing I would say is that it would be helpful to have more information up front, such as a list of the schools I could be volunteering at and more details about what kind of work I’ll be doing. It was all fine, but I would have preferred to know more in advance. Overall, though, my experience was fantastic!

I found that helping out in the dental field really further deepened my desire and passion to apply for dental school in the future, and I learned so much regarding subjects of dentistry that my perspective on the care has changed forever. It was very cool seeing ways that differ between here and dental care in my home country and I am grateful to have gotten a chance to experience this. I would definitely return and would love to learn more and be able to help the community more having more experience in the field.

I volunteered with Maximo Nivel in all three countries and got to know all their campuses. I decided spontaneously on signing up for the TEFL course while I was in Antigua and I am so happy I did it!

It's true when people say that it's stressful and intense, after all it's a six months course taught in one, but it's definitely worth it and doable!
Wayne is such an extraordinary teacher who makes the course so much more interesting and enjoyable. He dedicates his life to his students and always helps along the journey. I might've quitted if it wasn't for him.

If you are looking for a TEFL course I highly recommend the one in Antigua with Wayne. You will learn all about the techniques in an interesting and enjoyable way and get to teach in front of a real ESL class. Be prepared to be fully committed to it!

Thank you Wayne for giving me the knowledge and confidence to be a TEFL teacher!

I volunteered in a school for students with disabilities. I was welcomed with open arms. The staff were great and helped me through my Spanish weakness. The students were amazing to work with one on one. My host family was amazing! They opened their house to me with open arms. The family helped me learn more Spanish and also helped me to understand more about Guatemala. I also took a weekend trip to Lake Atilan which provided me with a lot of Mayan history and beautiful scenes. I am 62 years old and this was my first experience everyone at Máximo made this first experience fabulous!

Amazing course I loved taking the t with Lewis and Sean. Lewis and Sean were prepared, and delivered the course in a manner where we addressed subject matter regarding English and improving the Student Talking Time. I was given resources to get a job, and am currently teaching at Maximo Nivel after my TEFL. The course provided me with skills to advance, and also provided me with professional development tools. The resources at the school were amazing, and the teachers were not soft I wasnt just given my certificiation.

The entire course was very enjoyable, the teacher made what would be a heavy course very fun, and I am now filled with confidence going into my new career as an English teacher. The course itself was great fun, despite being incredibly heavy, we still managed to enjoy ourselves the entire time. I would absolutely recommend the course itself to people, as well as recommending the teacher.
Furthermore, the international staff who help us out were especially helpful, making sure that we were safe and looked after while getting used to the new surroundings.