Are you a university professor or program director seeking to lead a meaningful, academically rigorous faculty-led study abroad program for your students? Maximo Nivel specializes in designing and delivering customized university group programs across Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, offering comprehensive, full-service support. For over 20 years, Maximo Nivel has partnered with leading universities across the U.S., Canada, and Europe to create impactful international education programs that seamlessly combine rigorous academic learning, deep cultural immersion, and authentic community engagement. Whether your group’s focus is public health, education, environmental science, business, or the humanities, Maximo Nivel empowers you to build a transformative experience that meets your curricular goals and inspires global citizenship.
Why Choose Maximo Nivel for Your Faculty-Led Program?
Maximo Nivel offers unparalleled flexibility for faculty-led programs, ranging from intensive one-week experiences to full-semester study abroad options. Whether you’re leading a focused academic field course or a broader cultural exploration, we meticulously customize every detail to suit your objectives and schedule. Programs can include customized visits to local businesses and organizations; Spanish and content-specific courses taught by our experienced professors; or even full university-level courses delivered entirely by our faculty.
Unlimited Customization for Academic Rigor
We understand that every university and academic department has unique requirements. Maximo Nivel provides both Spanish language instruction and content-specific courses taught by experienced professors at all locations. Course syllabi and learning outcomes are always available for review by your institution to ensure alignment with your home university’s academic standards. Upon request, university-level courses can be fully delivered by Maximo Nivel’s teaching faculty. Maximo Nivel works closely with faculty leaders to design custom itineraries that align precisely with your syllabus, learning outcomes, and logistical needs.
Custom Faculty-Led Programs May Include:
Maximo Nivel’s flexible approach allows for diverse academic and experiential components:
- Service-Learning Projects: Practical experiences in healthcare, education, construction, or environmental conservation.
- Professional Site Visits: Access to clinics, NGOs, government offices, media outlets, and tourism providers.
- Academic Lectures & Guest Speakers: Engaging sessions with local experts and community leaders.
- Guided Reflection Workshops: Activities meticulously designed to promote critical thinking and leadership development.
- Language Immersion: Achieved through intensive Spanish classes or field-based language learning.
For credit-bearing coursework or specific academic accreditation needs, Maximo Nivel can coordinate directly with your institution’s study abroad office or serve as a School of Record through St. Cloud State University.
A Trusted Partner in International Education
Maximo Nivel is more than just a program provider—it is a fully accredited educational institution with robust on-the-ground operations in three Latin American countries. As an organization committed to responsible educational travel, Maximo Nivel emphasizes academic integrity, intercultural learning, and sustainable community development. Our institutes serve as vibrant intercultural campuses, bringing together international learners, local students, and expert instructors in dynamic, inclusive learning spaces. Whether your university group program runs for one week or a full semester, students benefit from real-world learning in safe and supportive environments.
Local Expertise, Regional Reach: Your Faculty-Led Program Partner in Latin America
One of the most compelling reasons to plan your faculty-led program with Maximo Nivel is our strong local presence coupled with a centralized global support system. Unlike other study abroad providers that outsource in-country operations, Maximo Nivel owns and operates its own educational institutes in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—each staffed by full-time professionals and designed specifically to support international groups. This direct operation model also means your institution can benefit from significantly lower costs, with faculty leaders and students potentially saving up to 30% compared to programs organized through third-party study abroad brokers. This ensures transparent pricing without sacrificing quality or safety.
Our Local Campuses
Your students will not just be in-country; they will be based at one of Maximo Nivel’s fully equipped, professional campuses:
San José, Costa Rica
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Antigua, Guatemala
Cusco, Peru
Each location serves as a secure and vibrant intercultural hub, featuring:
- Modern classrooms, AV equipment, and Wi-Fi
- Student lounges and coworking areas
- Computer labs and meeting rooms
- Bilingual front desk staff available 7 days a week
- Urgent Service Manager available 24/7
- Private offices for group check-ins and advising
- Dedicated Program Coordinators for your group
Because we operate these institutes ourselves, we ensure consistent program quality, educational integrity, and tailored learning environments where faculty can lead lectures and workshops while students connect with the local culture in meaningful ways.
Your Local Team on the Ground
Each campus is powered by an expert in-country team dedicated to your group’s success. From the moment you arrive, Maximo Nivel provides comprehensive support:
- A dedicated Faculty Program Coordinator for seamless logistics, communication, and daily support.
- Experienced local guides for enriching excursions and cultural experiences.
- Medical and safety personnel are available 24/7 for immediate assistance.
- Bilingual support staff to accompany service learning and internship activities.
- Homestay and housing coordinators to ensure comfort and care for every student.
- Strong community partnerships for ethical and impactful programming.
This means your program is not just managed; it is genuinely cared for by a team that lives where you are going, understands the cultural context, and is there with you every step of the way.
Centralized Admissions, Regional Flexibility
Behind the scenes, your program is supported by Maximo Nivel’s Centralized Admissions Team, a dedicated group of educational travel professionals who collaborate with you from the initial concept to the final evaluation. This team specializes in:
- Defining your program goals and academic priorities.
- Building a custom itinerary, encompassing service learning, excursions, academic sessions, and essential downtime.
- Providing transparent budgeting with all-inclusive pricing.
- Handling all necessary paperwork, documentation, and liability coverage.
- Coordinating with our in-country staff to ensure a seamlessly cohesive experience.
Whether your group is heading to a single location or seeking to explore multiple, our Admissions Team centralizes all coordination through one point of contact, streamlining communication and maximizing efficiency.
Plan a Multi-Country Faculty-Led Program
Maximo Nivel is uniquely positioned to offer multi-country faculty-led programs that span across Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru—a distinct advantage in the realm of study abroad. Whether you’re leading a Comparative Health Systems course or exploring sustainable development across regions, you can create a seamless, multi-destination experience with one trusted provider. Our team assists with:
- Coordinating inter-country flights and ground transport.
- Customizing programming to highlight regional similarities and differences.
- Ensuring academic continuity across borders.
- Maintaining consistent safety standards and student support.
This level of flexibility provides your program with greater depth and enables students to engage with multiple cultures, geographies, and communities, all within one transformative experience.
The Maximo Nivel Experience: From Planning to Impact
Step 1: Define Your Goals
Begin by identifying your program’s academic focus and desired learning outcomes. Are you hoping to provide students with field experience in public health? Develop cross-cultural communication skills? Explore sustainable tourism? Once your objectives are clear, schedule a consultation with a Maximo Nivel Program Advisor, who will assist in translating your goals into a tailored itinerary.
Step 2: Co-Design the Program
Collaborate with Maximo Nivel’s team to design a balanced and engaging program. This includes:
- Service components that meet genuine community needs.
- Cultural excursions to iconic sites like Machu Picchu, Lake Atitlán, or Manuel Antonio.
- Academic integration via lectures, site visits, and hands-on activities.
- Flex time for group reflection and adjustment.
Maximo Nivel efficiently handles all in-country logistics, including housing, meals, transportation, excursions, bilingual coordination, and emergency support.
Step 3: Budget with Confidence
Maximo Nivel offers transparent, all-inclusive pricing, simplifying the process for you to present your proposal to university leadership and secure approval. Your comprehensive package may include:
- Accommodation (homestay or private lodging)
- Daily meals
- In-country transportation
- All program activities and entry fees
- Service project materials
- Interpreter services (if needed)
- Insurance and emergency support
Many university groups also apply for grants or organize fundraising campaigns; Maximo Nivel can provide documentation to support those efforts.
Academic & Professional Customization
Your program can transcend mere sightseeing; Maximo Nivel connects groups with professionals in diverse fields such as:
- Health Sciences: Volunteer at local clinics or participate in rural medical campaigns.
- Education: Work in bilingual schools or observe classroom strategies.
- Social Work: Engage with community centers, NGOs, and youth programs.
- Business & Tourism: Tour eco-lodges, meet local entrepreneurs, or explore hospitality models.
- Veterinary Medicine: Shadow at animal shelters or rural vet clinics.
- Media & Communications: Visit Latin American media outlets and explore international journalism practices.
These hands-on experiences enable students to apply theory in real-world contexts and gain invaluable cross-cultural professional insights.
Recruitment and Pre-Departure Preparation
Once your program is approved, the next crucial step is participant recruitment. Utilize campus marketing channels, information sessions, and social media to raise awareness. Clearly delineate costs, academic credit options, deadlines, and travel requirements. To thoroughly prepare your students, Maximo Nivel offers:
- Pre-departure orientation materials
- Custom info sessions for your group
- Cultural sensitivity workshops
- Language prep resources
- Checklists for travel, packing, and documentation
Faculty Support In-Country
Maximo Nivel empowers faculty leaders to focus on what matters most: mentoring and teaching. From the moment you land, Maximo Nivel’s local team ensures your experience runs smoothly with:
- On-site welcome and orientation
- Daily check-ins and group support
- Translation assistance
- Coordination of academic sessions and excursions
- Emergency response if needed
Daily reflection sessions further assist students in processing their experiences, making profound connections to their coursework, and developing meaningful takeaways.
Start Building Your Faculty-Led Program Today!
Faculty-led programs serve as powerful vehicles for global learning, personal growth, and academic engagement. With Maximo Nivel as your dedicated partner, you can be confident in delivering a safe, enriching, and academically sound international program. By working directly with a trusted local provider, your institution also benefits from significantly lower costs; faculty leaders and students can save up to 30% compared to programs organized through third-party study abroad brokers. Maximo Nivel’s transparent pricing and in-house operations enable you to stretch your budget further without sacrificing quality or safety.
Contact Maximo Nivel Today to start planning your custom faculty-led program in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru.