Phased Training

The Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Peru, and Spain MTCs offer a variation on full training. Because of limited space in the MTC facility or the length of time required to acquire a visa, North American missionaries assigned to serve in these areas who do not already speak Spanish spend three weeks at the Provo MTC and the final six weeks of their MTC training at one of these international MTCs.

“The North Americans have been grateful for their three weeks of training at the Provo MTC,” said Douglas Steimle, president of the Guatemala MTC. “It gives them perspective that enhances their experience here. All arrive so excited to be in the country and feel like they have really begun to serve.”

North American missionaries who receive this phased training usually arrive at the international MTC having already made many adjustments to missionary work.

“By the time they get here their anxieties about being a missionary are usually behind them and they are eager to improve their Spanish-speaking skills and immerse themselves in the new culture as quickly as they can,” said Clifford L. Whetten, president of the Peru MTC.