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ANTHROPOLOGY
& SOCIOLOGY

STUDY ABROAD IN LATIN AMERICA

Maximo Nivel’s Anthropology and Sociology programs help students gain firsthand experience with people, cultures, and pressing global and local issues through internships, service learning, and university courses. You can also combine your degree studies with language courses in Spanish, Quechua, and Kaqchikel.

Participants may schedule programs using the academic calendar or can take advantage of open enrollment internships and service learning programs, which begin every Monday year-round!

Anthropology programs offer the unique opportunity to study the history and development of Latin America. This is not limited to ancient civilizations such as the Incas and Mayas, but also modern day indigenous communities. You have the opportunity to learn, through direct experience, how these people live—bringing classroom studies to life via real interaction with the culture on its own terms.

Sociology is increasingly about our global society, especially with respect to core issues like globalization, economic development, race-class-gender, cultural change, and social justice. These issues are addressed by developing your international perspective and through working directly with people who are confronting these issues on a daily basis.

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Maximo Nivel takes your academic success very seriously. We evaluate each student’s motivation for the program and academic history. This helps to ensure a productive and successful cohort experience.

– At least 18 years of age
– Enrolled in Anthropology, Sociology, or related
– Basic to Intermediate Spanish language skills
– Hard working, passionate, creative, and resourceful
– Minimum GPA 2.50

Fields of Study

– Anthropology
– Human Rights
– International Studies
– Social Work
– Women’s Studies

TERM DATES
Summer Term 2026 01 June – 24 July
Summer Term I 01 June – 26 June
Summer Term II 29 June – 24 July
Fall Semester 2026 14 September – 18 December
Fall Term I 14 September – 02 October
Fall Term II 12 October – 30 October
Fall Term III 02 November – 20 November
Fall Term IV 30 November – 18 December
Winter Term 2026-2027 04 January – 15 January
Spring Semester 2027 01 February – 07 May
Spring Term I 01 February – 19 February
Spring Term II 01 March – 19 March
Spring Term III 22 March – 09 April
Spring Term IV 19 April – 07 May
Summer Term 2027 31 May – 23 July
Summer Term I 31 May – 25 June
Summer Term II 28 June – 23 July
FULL ACADEMIC CALENDAR

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Programs Antigua,
Guatemala		 Cusco,
Peru		 San Jose,
Costa Rica		 Manuel Antonio,
Costa Rica
Spring or Fall – Term I
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,995 – –
Spring or Fall – Term II
(3 Weeks)		 – $1,995 – –
Spring or Fall – Term III
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,295
Spring or Fall – Term IV
(3 Weeks)		 – – – $2,295
Winter Term
2 Weeks		 – – – $1,795
Summer Term I
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 $2,295
Summer Term II
4 Weeks		 $1,595 $1,595 $1,995 $2,295
Country Jumper
(Spring or Fall)
14 Weeks		 $8,995

*Prices above are representative only. Final tuition costs vary based on itinerary, housing preferences, tours, and transportation.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

Why I Maximo Nivel

From start to finish, this program was a fantastic experience. The communication and preparation before I arrived in Costa Rica was brilliant, and when I finally got here I felt so welcomed and supported. The team at Maximo Nivel are all incredibly helpful and really want you to get the most out of the experience. I took advantage of all the opportunities offered such as salsa classes and the free coffee. My host mum, Vicky, was also fantastic…you can tell that Maximo seek out individuals who are warm, welcoming and (as a bonus) excellent cooks!

Jenny H.

INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIPS

HUMAN RIGHTS IN LATIN AMERICA

The countries of Latin America are clearly making strides to improve regional politics, healthcare, and education. Philosophically, human rights are an integral part of the ongoing social and political development here. However, deep-rooted cultural obstacles, widespread corruption, and poor utilization of resources means that violence and discrimination against women, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community are pervasive problems. Indigenous groups remain largely outside of the political, economic, and social mainstreams, and the countries’ rural populations have unequal access to education and healthcare. As well, the use of child labor is a particularly common problem in informal sectors.

University students in the International Internship program are placed in local projects working with community organizations, NGOs, and government agencies. Interns work with change agents and other social workers who are focused on empowerment and social justice. You gain real-life work experience and international perspective by helping with community outreach, education, research, and fundraising. You are immersed into a community and a project where you see first-hand the impacts of culture, social values, and the roles of politics, religion, gender, and ethnicity and learn about the real people of Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru.

Intermediate Spanish or higher is required to be effective in a human rights internship placement.

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Anthropology and Sociology Semester Abroad
Anthropology and Sociology Service Learning Abroad

SERVICE LEARNING

FOR ANTHROPOLOGY & SOCIOLOGY STUDENTS

Service learning provides unique opportunities to live and study in Latin America, while giving back to the global community. Short-term and semester-long service learning programs are available. You can get involved in the following projects:

CONSTRUCTION
These community projects include building and repairing homes and orphanages, and adding classrooms to schools. All construction is led by Maximo Nivel’s professional construction foremen.

INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES
Students live and work as part of indigenous communities in Peru or Guatemala, living and working with the community, tending to crops and animals,
cooking meals, and teaching at the local school.

WORKING WITH KIDS
Students work with underprivileged kids and provide support to staff at orphanages, community centers, and after school programs, working to improve
education, emotional development, and healthcare.

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UNIVERSITY COURSES

SOC 301: Social Responsibility & Social Justice

SOC 301 aims to develop students’ knowledge of social justice issues in Latin America. The course focuses on indigenous rights, women’s empowerment, LGBTQ rights, as well as environmental issues, in the scope of Latin America’s economy, culture, history, religion, and politics. Students select a specific area of social justice and a specific country of focus for their final project. Through completion of the final project, students analyze social justice, development, and sustainability alongside both supportive and conflicting societal variables and interests.

SUS 301 introduces students to the theory, principles, and practices of sustainability using Latin America as a case study for wider global implications. The course includes discussions on maintaining ecological and environmental health, creating economic welfare, applying sustainable business practices, and ensuring social justice. In this course, students identify the key characteristics of human and natural systems as they pertain to sustainability and learn how they interact with one another, identify measurable collective and individual actions, and analyze sustainability from a multidisciplinary perspective.

Spanish 101 is a first-level language course designed for students who have not previously studied Spanish or those with a low-basic level. The course creates a foundation in grammar, vocabulary and speaking skills, with additional exercises in reading, writing, and listening while exploring Latin American culture. Course methodology is based on the communicative approach, emphasizing conversation in Spanish.

Spanish 102 is a continuation of Spanish 101. Students at this level have a very basic working knowledge and understanding of the Spanish language. The course builds upon the elementary grammar, vocabulary, and other language skills learned in Spanish 101. Course methodology is based on the communicative approach, emphasizing conversation in Spanish.

SPA 201 – Intermediate Spanish I
SPA 202 – Intermediate Spanish II
SPA 301 – Spanish Composition I
SPA 302 – Spanish Composition II
SPA 350 – Latin American Literature
SPA 360 – Latin American Civilization & Culture
SPA 361 – Modern Day Latin America
SPA 370 – Medical Spanish
SPA 371 – Business Spanish
SPA 380 – Intercultural Communication
SPA 420 – Advanced Spanish Grammar
SPA 480 – Advanced Spanish Conversation
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University Courses for Anthropology and Sociology Majors
Schools of Records

EARN ACADEMIC CREDIT

UNIVERSITY ABROAD

Academic credit is available for Maximo Nivel’s Study Abroad programs. Our programs can fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements. Our School of Record issues official transcripts and academic credit for your program. Get the credit you earn!

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