Bridging Worlds: A Transformational Journey Through Guatemala with UW Foster School of Business
High in the volcanic highlands of Guatemala, nestled beside the shimmering waters of Lago Atitlán, a group of students from the University of Washington’s Foster School of Business embarked on an unforgettable journey. What began as a field study evolved into something far deeper—a powerful exploration of indigenous entrepreneurship, community resilience, and the transformative potential of cross-cultural exchange.
This immersive educational experience was made possible through a unique collaboration between UW Foster, Cross Cultural Journeys, and the local nonprofit Taa’ Pi’t, based in San Pedro La Laguna. Together, these organizations designed a program that pushed beyond classroom learning, placing students directly into the heart of rural Guatemala’s thriving ecosystems of sustainable business, women-led cooperatives, and grassroots innovation.
Set against the vibrant backdrops of Guatemala City, the colonial charm of Antigua, and the living Mayan culture surrounding Lake Atitlán, the trip offered students an eye-opening contrast to the economic models typically studied in Western business schools. Here, they witnessed firsthand how indigenous values, ancestral wisdom, and communal resilience inform entrepreneurial ventures that aim to sustain both people and planet.
Students visited cooperatives where coffee is more than a crop—it’s a tool for land reclamation and economic justice. They sat with women weavers whose artistry sustains not only their families, but also their cultural identity. They met microcredit pioneers and social entrepreneurs who are reimagining finance, not for profit maximization, but for community empowerment.
Yet it wasn’t just the businesses that made the biggest impression—it was the human connections. Through shared meals, late-night reflections, and laughter with local hosts and children, the students encountered a way of life that blends humility with strength, tradition with adaptability.
At the center of this experience was Taa’ Pi’t, a local nonprofit committed to cultural education, ecological awareness, and intergenerational empowerment. Co-founder Juan Manuel Chavajay —alongside Nancy Lynn McCoy, journey leader Nani Baran and local guide Daniela Figueroa — helped create a container of deep listening, mutual respect, and cultural understanding.
Guiding the learning experience were UW faculty members Jill Bamburg and Elba Louis, who held space for students to reflect on what it means to lead with empathy, integrity, and a global mindset.
By the end of the journey, what emerged was not just knowledge—but wisdom. A felt understanding of how business can be a force for healing. A realization that community success looks different everywhere—and that success without sustainability is not success at all.
Finally, a handful of students extended their stay for a couple days to visit the ancient ruins of Tikal in Northern Guatemala. A perfect end to a challenging but rewarding trip!
This trip wasn't just a study abroad program. It was a bridge between worlds, a transformational encounter with the complexity and beauty of Guatemala, and a call to rethink what it means to be a responsible, conscious leader in the 21st century.
