Upon arrival in Guatemala, your group will be greeted by a private driver who will transport you to our guesthouse, conveniently located near the historic center of Antigua. After settling in, a local guide will lead us on a walking tour of Antigua’s charming streets, offering insights into its rich history, architecture, and cultural heritage. The evening will conclude with a welcome dinner, where the group can come together to discuss the exciting week ahead.

We’ll start the day with a series of workshops focused on documentary storytelling, specifically tailored to exploring themes of Maya cultural resilience. These sessions will equip your students with the necessary skills to document the stories of the local organization we’ll be collaborating with. In the afternoon, the group will choose between a visit to a local coffee farm or a hands-on chocolate workshop, both offering a deeper connection to the region’s agricultural and cultural traditions.

Today, we’ll engage directly with a local cultural organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Maya traditions. The morning will be spent learning about their mission, meeting community leaders, and understanding the ongoing efforts to sustain Maya culture in the face of modernization. This hands-on research will provide crucial context for the stories we’ll be telling. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the guesthouse for a group discussion and production meeting to plan the documentary approach, ensuring that everyone is aligned and ready to move forward with the project.

We’ll return to the organization to conduct in-depth interviews with key individuals, including cultural leaders and community members whose stories will form the core of our documentary. These interviews will help students understand the personal and societal impact of cultural preservation efforts. In addition to interviews, we’ll document the organization’s environment and activities, further enriching the narrative. The afternoon will be dedicated to reviewing the day’s material and discussing our progress, focusing on refining storytelling techniques.

We’ll spend the day documenting the visual elements that bring our stories to life, focusing on capturing the essence of the organization’s daily activities and its impact on the community. This could include documenting cultural workshops, performances, or community rituals. After returning to the guesthouse, the group will review the material and begin planning the next steps in the post-production process, ensuring that the narrative is cohesive and impactful.

Today, we’ll take a break from our documentary work to explore the breathtaking landscapes surrounding Lake Atitlan. The overnight trip will include scenic views of the lake, opportunities for swimming, and visits to the surrounding villages. Students will have time to relax, reflect, and enjoy the natural beauty of the region. 

After breakfast by the lake, we’ll return to Antigua. The Actuality team, who have been editing the documentary during our lake excursion, will lead a workshop to review the rough cut. They’ll explain the editing process, and the group can provide feedback, which the editor will incorporate before the evening screening. The day concludes with a screening of the completed documentary, followed by a wrap party to celebrate the project’s success.

After a final breakfast at the guesthouse, the group will gather for reflections and farewells, sharing key takeaways from the trip. Following this, pre-arranged transport will be ready to take everyone to the airport for the journey home.