Bachelor Programs in Guatemala
Study in Guatemala
Guatemala is a Central American country to the south of Mexico. It is a place with volcanoes, rainforests and ancient Mayan sites. The capital is Guatemala City and it offer a lot to see in terms of history and aesthetic beauty.
Places include the National Palace of Culture and the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology. Guatemala is a great place to study for students looking for a fresh perspective of international study. Guatemala has a number of universities tat offer internationally acclaimed degree programs.
The higher education system of Guatemala is represented by 16 universities with 344 study programs, 162 Bachelor programs at 16 universities, 164 Master programs at 16 universities and 18 PhD programs at 4 universities.
Guatemala has a single public university that is the Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, located in Guatemala City.
The most sought-after education programs for foreigners in Guatemala focus on language study. There are over 60 well-established language schools throughout the country.
Universities in Guatemala offer a number of degree programs including business administration, virtual business administration, real estate project management, entrepreneurial economics, international political economy, international relations, finance and taxation, management of human resources, and social sciences, to mention but a few.
The adult literacy rate in Guatemala is estimated at 81.29%. While the male literacy rate is 86.76%, for females is 76.37%, according to UNESCO.
Important things to note
Here are a few things to take note of before you go out and about in Guatemala.
Money-the official currency of Guatemala is the quetzal (Q). Banks change cash but casas de cambio (currency-exchange offices) are usually quicker and offer better rates. ATMs are widely available.
Bank/ Credit Cards- Credit cards are widely accepted in many hostels, hotels, shops and restaurants.
Mobile phones- you can use any GSM cell phone in Guatemala with a local SIM card. There are several mobile service providers in Guatemala, the major ones include:
• Claro- a subsidiary of Telgua
• Movistar-backed by Telefonica
• Tigo- of Millicom Group
All three operators offer good quality service in urban areas but coverage varies in remote rural areas
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About Guatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America that is bordered by Mexico in the north and the west, Belize and the Caribbean in the northeast, Honduras in the east, El Salvador in the southeast and the Pacific Ocean in the south. Its total area is about 108 889 km2.
Guatemala has an estimated population of around 17.3 million people with a population density of 129/km2. the country has the largest population in Central America. Guatemala’s capital and largest city is Nueva Guatemala de la Asuncion, popularly known as Guatemala City.
Ethnic groups
The population of Guatemala is divided into two main ethnic groups which are the Ladinos and Maya. These make up the vast majority of Indians in Guatemala and form several cultures.
The Ladinos (mestizos) comprise those of mixed Hispanic-Maya origin. the Maya account for some two-fifths of the country’s population. There are smaller numbers of Spanish-speaking Xinca in southern Guatemala and Garifuna who are people of mixed African and Caribbean descent, formerly called Black Caribs).
The ethnic composition of Guatemala as of 2018 was 56.01% Ladino / Mestizos, 41.66% Maya, 1.77% Xinca, 0.19% Afro-Guatemalan, 0.13% Garifuna, and 0.24% Foreigners.
Languages
The official language OF Guatemala is Spanish. Spanish is widely spoken in all the country, sometimes in diferent dialects. English is mostly used for communication with foreigners and for instruction in some courses.
There are however other indigenous minority languages spoken by the Mayan community. The 21 indigenous Mayan communities each boast of their own language which they use to date.
Did you know? Facts about GUATEMALA
• Gatemala’s currency was anamed after its national bird the Quetzal, a long tailed bird found in the humid forests.
• Guatemala means land of many trees.
• The CIA overthrew a socialist government in 1954
• It is home to the deepest lake in Central America
• The country is home to three UNESCO World Heritage sites
• Guatemala is famous for its volcanoes-more than 30 around the country.
• It boasts the tallest volcano in Central America
• Guatemalans invented the first ever chocolate bar
• Guatemala’s Lake Atitlan is the deepest lake in Central America
Must see places in GUATEMALA
Lake Atitlan- is a lake located in the department of Sololá. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Guatemala which was named one of the seven wonders of the world.
The lake has an area of about 130 km2, and is considered to one of the most beautiful lakes in the world. The lake was formed as a result of a volcanic eruption. It is 1500 meters above sea level, with a depth of up to 341 meters, making it the deepest lake in Central America.
La Antigua Guatemala- initially draws people in for its. Antigua is a small city surrounded by volcanoes in southern Guatemala. It is renowned for its cobblestone roads, beautiful Spanish architecture, former churches and palaces left in ruins after various earthquakes.
Semuc Champey- is a series of limestone bridges and caves that travels through part of central Guatemala.
It is a natural monument in the department of Alta Verapaz which consists of a natural 300 m limestone bridge, under which passes the Cahabon River. there is a series of stepped, turquoise pools, and is a popular swimming attraction.
Tikal- is a complex of Mayan ruins deep in the northern rainforests. Tikal, or Yax Mutal was once an important city in the Mayan empire of the from 200 to 900 A.D. The Mayan ruins have been part of a national parks in Guatemala and they were named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979.
About Guatemala's Economy
Guatemala has a mixed economic system which involves sme private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Guatemala’s currency is called the Quetzal (Q). GDP (PPP) was estimated at $ $153.322 billion with a per capita of $8 705 as of 2019.
Nominal GDP was estimated at $81.318 billion with a per capita of $4 617as of 2019. Unemployment was estimated at 2.7% and Inflation (CPI) at 4.2% as of 2020.
Guatemala has over the past 5 years experienced economic stability due to a combination of prudent fiscal management, inflation targeting, and a managed floating exchange rate.
The economy showed some moderate growth rates of 3.5 % on average in the last five years.External trade and private consumption constituted more than 80% of the country's GDP.
Employment by sector in Guatemala was as follows: Agriculture 31.4%, insutry 12.8%, and Services 55.8% as of 2017.
Distribution of gross domestic product (GDP) across economic sectors Guatemala as of 2019 showed that agriculture contributed around 9.37%, 21.92% percent came from the industry and 62.66% percent from the services sector.
Industry
Main industries in Guatemala include coffee production, textiles, paper industries, petroleum, pharmaceutical products, and rubber processing; and tourism. The country - which has a small mining industry - extracts copper, zinc, iron and nickel - also has strong geothermic and hydroelectric potential.
Trade
Exports in Guatemala were estimated at $11.12 billionbillion as of 2017 and major exports included sugar, coffee, petroleum, apparel, bananas, fruits and vegetables, cardamom, manufacturing products, precious stones and metals, electricity.
5 Main export partners include United States 33.8% El Salvador 11.1% Honduras 8.8% Nicaragua 5.1% Mexico 4.7%, to mention but a few.
Its imports were valued at $17.11 billion. The main products included fuels, machinery and transport equipment, construction materials, grain, fertilizers, electricity, mineral products, chemical products, plastic materials and products[3], to mention but a few.
Its main import partners included United States 39.8%, China 10.7%, Mexico 10.7%, and El Salvador 5.3%to mention but a few.
Why Study in Guatemala
Courses taught in English
Unique Cuisines
Diversity of programs
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships in Guatemala
There are plenty of scholarships are available for students studying in Guatemala.
Students can apply for any scholarship whetther it is merit based, sports scholarships, engineering scholarships, law scholarships, medical scholarships, medicine scholarships, athletic scholarships, art scholarships, and grants, to mention but a few.
Several scholarships and awards are offered by the government, post-secondary institutions, and other public or private organizations to assist non-local students to finance their education in the country.
Some are available solely for non-local students, and others are awarded on a competitive basis to all students despite nationality or residency status.
Guatemala Student Visa
As an aspiring student in Guatemala, you will need a student visa that will help you to gain entry into the country without any problems.
Thus RocApply has put together the requirements for a student visa in Guatemala.
The student visa has to be obtained whilst you are in your country of origin.
However, it is always advisable to check updated information on visa requirements in case there are any changes
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