By Daniel McQueston | Volunteer English teacher, September–October 2026

My first two months at Maya Jaguar

In September 2026, I came to Maya Jaguar in rural Guatemala to teach English for two months. I had recently left my job in finance in hopes of spending time contributing to a small, rural community in a way that would also challenge me to learn and grow. I hoped to help students improve their English, personally experience a different way of life, and get to know the people and culture of the region. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, but the experience turned out to be much more meaningful than I'd anticipated.

The students are incredible: friendly, smart, curious, and incredibly welcoming. The teachers and staƯ have been just as wonderful. Everyone has been so kind to me, and I've been really impressed by how much people look out for one another here.

When I first arrived, I was pretty nervous. I wasn't sure how well I'd be able to communicate in Spanish or what it would be like to live and work in a community so different from the one I grew up in. But it didn't take long for those nerves to go away. People were immediately curious about me, my family, my life in the States, my travels, my English, and even the random things I had packed in my backpack.

In return, everyone was more than happy to show me around campus, introduce me to local customs, teach me about the plants and animals in the area, share new foods with me, and teach me words in K'anjobal and Mam. It quickly became the kind of cultural exchange I'd been hoping for when I decided to volunteer.

I came hoping to contribute to the students' English education while learning from the community myself. What I didn't anticipate was how much I would learn through the everyday interactions that took place outside the classroom.

I wanted to experience a diƯerent way of life, learn about a new culture and community, and challenge myself to grow as a person. At the same time, I wanted to be useful and help out wherever I could. If teaching English could give the students something extra in their education, I wanted to do the best job I could. And if someone needed an extra pair of hands to move something, clean something, or help with whatever needed doing around campus, I was always happy to pitch in.

What really makes Maya Jaguar special, though, is the community itself. There is a real sense of family here. People joke around with each other, share in the good times, and look out for one another when things get diƯicult. Osman has played a big role in building that kind of environment, and I feel very lucky to have gotten to experience it firsthand.

One thing that stood out to me from day one was how much effort people made to include me. People were constantly showing me around, oƯering me things I needed, and coming over to check on me if I was sitting by myself. I was a stranger from the United States who had just arrived on campus, but people made sure I felt welcome almost immediately. Those little gestures meant a lot to me, and they're a big part of why this experience has been so special.

The people who made this experience possible

Of course, none of this would have been possible without a lot of people who helped me along the way.

First, I'm grateful to the Adopt-a-Village Board of Directors for making this opportunity possible and trusting me to come down to Maya Jaguar. I'm very grateful that they were willing to support me and give me the chance to spend this time with the community. It's an experience I'll carry with me for a long time.

I'm also incredibly thankful to Ted Rose. Ted helped me tremendously with the financial and logistical side of this trip, but his support went way beyond that. He helped me prepare for what to expect, shared his knowledge of the local customs and culture, and was always available when I needed advice. He's been an incredible mentor and friend throughout this process, and I honestly don't know how I would have pulled everything together without him. I'm especially grateful for how generous he has been with his time, knowledge, and support, and for the care he's shown me throughout this experience.

I want to thank Bruce Powell as well. For the months leading up to my trip, Bruce met with me every single week to help me prepare. My Spanish improved a ton during that time, and he gave me much more confidence going into the experience. He also helped me plan my first week of English lessons and gave me great advice on how to approach teaching students who are just beginning to learn English. Beyond all of that, he's been a great friend and mentor who has always been willing to give his time and help me out. I'm incredibly grateful for everything he's done for me.

I'm also grateful to Osman and Nelson. They took a chance on someone from the United States whom they had never met and welcomed me into Maya Jaguar. They also made sure I had what I needed to do my job and feel comfortable on campus. From giving me a desk at the school and a cabin to stay in, to showing me around when I arrived, to making sure I was included in activities outside the classroom, they went out of their way to help me settle in. I especially appreciated getting to participate in the weekly soccer games, the September 15 Independence Day celebrations, and all the activities surrounding graduation. I'm very grateful they gave me this opportunity and trusted me to be part of the community.

Finally, I'm thankful to everyone else at Maya Jaguar and Adopt-a-Village. The staff made sure I had everything I needed, from clean sheets and blankets to food during the school break. The other teachers were always willing to oƯer advice, help me understand local customs, and include me in what was going on. And the students, who may have been a little shy around me at first, showed me so much kindness, curiosity, and hospitality.

Some of my favorite memories have come from the smallest interactions with individual students. Sometimes it's just a short conversation, a joke, a kind gesture, or a student taking the time to teach me something about their life. Those little moments are honestly some of the coolest parts of being here. I feel very fortunate to have been welcomed into the community and to have had the chance to get to know people on a more personal level.

A few moments that will stick with me

For those interested in volunteering at Maya Jaguar, I also wanted to share a few memories and observations from the past two months. These are some of the things that have stood out to me the most.

The mountains and jungle

Living on top of a mountain has been quite an experience. The roads are incredibly steep, the vegetation is thick, and the plants and animals are so diƯerent from what I'm used to. The campus itself can feel very peaceful, but the surrounding jungle feels like a living, breathing thing. It's beautiful, and yet the scale of the landscape can be a little intimidating when you stop to take it all in (see photos below).

My first soccer game: teachers versus students

In my first game, I scored two goals pretty early on, and you could feel the surprise from the crowd. It was almost like everyone was thinking, "Wait, this guy can actually play!" Soccer quickly became one of my favorite ways to spend time with everyone outside the classroom. It's also been a great reminder that you don't need to speak the same language to have fun and get to know people (see photo below).

Becoming the campus giant

My height quickly became a running joke when I arrived. I'm 5'11" (maybe six feet on a good day), which isn't particularly tall relative to my American friends, but apparently I stand out here! Students and staƯ often asked to take pictures with me, partly because of my height and partly because they rarely encounter Americans from backgrounds like mine in this part of Guatemala. It was a funny and unexpected way to break the ice, and definitely not something I expected to become part of my experience.

Seeing how students get to school

One thing that stood out to me was the journey many students make to get to campus. The steep, winding mountain roads made me appreciate the effort involved in getting to school each day. Seeing the different ways students travel gave me a better understanding of the geography and practical challenges that shape daily life in the surrounding communities (see photos below).

Celebrating Guatemala's Independence Day

On September 15, I got to take part in one of the school's annual traditions. Everyone traveled to Barillas to pick up torches, then ran along the winding roads back toward campus, making as much noise as possible and celebrating along the way. I learned about the tradition of recreating the excitement surrounding Guatemala's independence from Spain in 1821. It was a really fun experience and a great way to be included in an important part of Guatemalan culture (see photos below).

Trying all kinds of new foods

I've eaten so many new things that it's hard to keep track of them all. Some highlights include atol, rambutan, ceviche, tamales, bee larvae, cardamom, fried plantains, and corn on the cob with ketchup and mayonnaise. I've loved getting to try things I would never have encountered back home, especially when someone takes the time to introduce me to something they enjoy eating (see photos below).

*Left photo: tamales; Right photo: atol and rambutans*

*Left photo: fried bananas; Right photo: local corn with ketchup and mayonnaise (accompanied by the other teachers)*

*Left photo: roasted beehive with larvae inside; Right photo: making tortillas*

Hearing students practice English around campus

This has been one of my favorite things about teaching. I'll be walking around campus and hear students shouting English words and phrases they've learned in class. Every now and then, I'll even catch students practicing English with each other when they don't realize I'm listening.

I think that's really cool. They're having fun with the language, even if it started out as a bit of a joke, and it seems like they're genuinely interested in learning more. It's encouraging to see English becoming something they want to practice outside the classroom, rather than something they only do because it's part of the school day.

Bringing Pass the Pigs to campus

I brought a game called Pass the Pigs that my friends and I loved playing in college, and it turned out to be a huge hit. The goal is to get to 100 points by rolling two little plastic pigs. Depending on how they land, you earn points or lose them.

The students got really into it. It was a fun way to share something from my own life, spend time with the students outside class, and get in a little English-number practice at the same time. It's funny how something so simple can become such a good way to connect with people (see photos below).

Letting the students use my camera

I also brought an old Nikon camera from home that still takes pretty good pictures. As soon as I pulled it out, the students were fascinated and kept asking if they could use it. Of course, I let them, and they loved taking pictures. I ended up getting some great photos thanks to them, and they got a lot of entertainment out of using something they don't get to use every day, especially since students aren't allowed to have their phones on campus. It was a simple thing, but it turned into a fun way to spend time together (see photos below).

Working out with students before school

I started doing short bodyweight workouts at 6 a.m. before school, with push-ups, pull-ups, squats, dips, and a few other exercises. Two students found out and asked if they could join me. For the last week of my stay, they came out and worked out with me every morning.

I loved that they wanted to join in. It was another one of those small, unexpected ways to connect with the students outside the classroom. Sometimes the best moments aren't things you plan in advance; they just happen when you spend time together.

Gaining some perspective on my own life

There were a few moments that made me think about how fortunate I've been. When I told people that I was volunteering here without getting paid, some genuinely struggled to understand why I would do that. Their reactions helped me appreciate how differently people can experience work, opportunity, and financial security.

I've been fortunate to have the freedom to step away from paid work, travel, and contribute my time to something meaningful. This experience has made me more conscious of the opportunities I've had and more grateful for the people who have welcomed me into their lives. It's easy to take those opportunities for granted when they're all you've ever known, and I'm glad I've had the chance to gain a different perspective.

A few things I learned as a volunteer

For anyone considering a volunteer experience at Maya Jaguar, here are a few things I'd take away from my first two months.  Be willing to participate beyond the classroom. Some of my best opportunities to connect with students and staƯ came through soccer, games, meals, workouts, and everyday conversations.

Don't worry about being a perfect Spanish speaker. I was nervous about communicating when I arrived, but patience, curiosity, and a willingness to learn went a long way. I also learned a lot from the people who took the time to teach me words in K'anjobal and Mam.
Come prepared, but stay flexible. Having lesson plans helped me get started, but being open to activities and opportunities outside the classroom made the experience much richer.
Give relationships time to develop. Some of my favorite moments came from small interactions that happened naturally over the course of my stay. Not every meaningful contribution has to be a big project or a planned activity.

These are just a few lessons from my own experience, and I expect I'll learn a lot more if I have the opportunity to return.

Looking ahead

Looking back, I'm grateful for everything these first two months have taught me and for the people who welcomed me into their community. I've learned a lot, made some wonderful connections, and gotten to experience a way of life very different from my own. But more than anything, I'm grateful for the people I've met and the way they've welcomed me into their lives.

I'd love to return in 2027 for a full year. Having more time would give me the chance to keep improving as a teacher, build stronger relationships with the students and staƯ, and find more ways to contribute to campus life. I feel like I've only scratched the surface of what I could learn and do at Maya Jaguar, and I'd be excited to come back and build on the experience I've had so far.

I came to Maya Jaguar hoping to contribute, learn, and challenge myself. I've found all of that in ways I hadn't expected. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who welcomed me, helped me along the way, and made these past two months so special. I hope this reflection gives others considering volunteering here a better sense of what life at Maya Jaguar can be like—and encourages them to come experience it for themselves.

Reflections from Maya Jaguar: My First Two Months as a Volunteer

2026 Senior Class Trip