Although I have had the opportunity to be a part of many exciting projects while in Guatemala including: Women’s Literacy, Hurricane Relief Efforts and the start-up of an income and skill generating program for women, my most successful experience has been immersing myself in the culture of the Guatemalan Highlands.

My life in Todos Santos, Guatemala is vastly different from my life in Calgary, Canada. Todos Santos is a rural municipality with several communities within the Cuchumatán Mountains.  I live in the central part of town; where the community maintains a well-preserved traditional lifestyle. Engaging in Spanish and basic Mam conversations, forming relationships with local families and community members, as well as sharing in daily tasks are some of the activities that have helped me to adapt.  My integration has been as much a result of the aforementioned characteristics, as it has been the openness of the community members. They welcomed me into their lives, their culture, and their homes; in turn I have been happy to share of my life and culture with them.