Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies

Center for
U.S.-Mexico Studies

Events
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Spanish Programs

SPANISH SUMMER PROGRAM SESSION
JUNE 9 - JULY 4, 2008

The University of Guanajuato, located in central Mexico, offers an intensive Summer Spanish Program for UTD undergraduate and graduate students. This program offers a unique opportunity for students to improve their Spanish language skills and acquire the knowledge of the Mexican culture while earning credit hours at UTD.

THE LANGUAGE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GUANAJUATO
The Language Center has provided academic services to students from all over the world since 1976. Foreign students have the opportunity to learn Spanish and acquire knowledge of the Mexican and Latin American cultures through effective teaching and the newest methodologies, thus, offering a completely integrated program of instruction. The Spanish courses are complemented with workshops of arts and crafts from the area of Guanajuato, folk dance from the various regions of Mexico and Latin America, authentic Mexican cooking class, and seminars on topics regarding different aspects of Mexican life and politics. Weekend excursions are also offered, which enrich the student's knowledge of Mexico's culture and history.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM AND COURSE DESCRIPTION
There are two different levels: intermediate and advanced.

The program for students in the INTERMEDIATE & ADVANCED levels is as follows:

SPANISH: intensive practice in spoken and written Spanish, highlighting vocabulary, morphology forms, and complex syntactic structures. (40 hrs.)
MEXICAN HISTORY: a comprehensive survey of the History of Mexico from the colonial period to the present time. (18 hrs.)
MEXICAN LITERATURE: a historical view of Mexican literature ranging from the pre-Hispanic works to contemporary texts. (18 hrs.)
ALL STUDENTS in both levels are required to take the CULTURAL ENRICHMENT COURSES, which include a combination of four of the following courses. Not all courses are offered every year. (8hrs.)
MEXICAN ART: an examination of the important periods of Mexican art: Pre-Colombian, Colonial and Modern. (8 hrs.)

INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE OF MEXICO (SEMINARS):
an interdisciplinary survey of the political, economic, cultural and social affairs and their impact on contemporary Mexico.

FOLK DANCE: a practical approach to learning traditional Mexican and Latin American dances (jarabe tapatío, salsa, rumba, merengue, etc.) and popular songs.

HANDCRAFTS: creative local Guanajuatense arts and crafts
MEXICAN COOKING: Hands-on traditional Mexican cusine.

All courses are taught in Spanish by the faculty of the University of Guanajuato.

SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

Complementing the classroom experience, the Language School provides students with identification cards, which allow them to enter most cultural activities free of charge or at a very low cost. Lectures, musical presentations and local cultural and social events enrich the program. Weekend excursions may also be offered, enhancing the student's knowledge of Mexico's culture and history.

HOUSING THROUGH FULL IMMERSION HOMESTAYS
The University of Guanajuato does not have dormitories; however, housing is readily available in Mexican homes. Students are encouraged to live with Mexican families since this living arrangement provides students with a unique opportunity to obtain an inside view of Mexican life. Homestays have also proven to be an excellent way to give students more exposure to the Spanish language. The University provides assistance regarding housing arrangements. Most living arrangements include a double-occupancy lodging and three meals a day in a warm family atmosphere. The daily cost is $21.00 (US). Single rooms are available upon request but have an extra cost.

MIGRATION DOCUMENTS
American and European students may enter Mexico with a tourist visa, which is issued at the immigration counter in the Mexican airport and is good for about 30 to 90 days.

US citizens need a valid passport.
US residents need their green cards and a valid passport or a certified birth certificate and two other forms of identification.
Foreign students need to contact the Mexican consulate to see if they need further documentation. You may find more information at http://portal.sre.gob.mx/dallas/

MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
The University of Guanajuato provides a basic limited insurance policy, which only covers accidents on the University's premises. Students may obtain more extensive travel insurance through private insurance companies in the US but beware that many doctors and medical facilities do not accept any kind of insurance.

CREDITS
-Undergraduate students will receive three upper and three lower division for the academic courses previously mentioned.

The grades obtained by participating in this Program are not averaged in the students GPA. Students only obtain the credits at UTD of their work in UGTO.
Students can do an independent study in order to receive an additional three credits.

-Graduate students:

Students can obtain between three to six credits for participating in language program.
Students can do an independent study in order to receive additional credits.
Students need to talk to their advisors before enrolling in the Program.

COST

The total cost of tuition, class material, and program coordination is $925.00 (US). This fee covers the full academic program in the Language School at the University of Guanajuato.
If students want to sign up for an independent study, they need to register and pay for the course(s) at UTD.

Lodging and food:

Homestays-double occupancy cost $21 US dollars per day, which is approximately $600.00 (US) for the month.Hotels range from $50.00-$150.00 (US) a day, food not included.

Transportation:
Airfare ranges between $450.00-$600.00 (US) dollars round trip since it is the high travel season. American Airlines and Continental fly to the León/Bajío Airport. AA flies directly from DFW to Guanajuato. The flight time is about 2 hours.
Land transportation is not recommended unless students have traveled in Mexico previously and have a good command of Spanish language

Spending Money:
Depends on the individual. We suggest you to bring between 350-450 US dollars for travelling and shopping. In Guanajuato you will find beautiful arts and crafts, silver and very inexpensive leather.

Total Cost:
Approximately between $2,000.00 and $2,500.00 (US).

SCHOLARSHIPS
Students are required to satisfy the Office of International Education (OIE) protocol and can apply for competitive scholarships under the UTD International Educational Fund Scholarship (IEFS). Forms are available at OIE (Jonsson 5.504) and Office of Financial Aid (McDermott 1.304). Please return your application to the Office of Financial Aid. Please note that completed forms and supporting letters of recommendation must be submitted no later than October 29, 2007 during the Fall 2007 or April 7, 2008 during the Spring 2008. No late submissions will be considered -- so APPLY EARLY.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Program Dates: June 9- July 4, 2008.
Applications are available at the Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies in Jonsson 5.504. Students participating in this program should plan to arrive in Guanajuato on Saturday, June 7, 2008 in order to attend the walking orientation on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at noon.
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 7, 2008.
In order for an application to be completed, you need to turn in the following documents to the Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies:

Application form

Orientation Sessions:
These sessions are obligatory for students participating in the program. There will be two orientations sessions, one on Wednesday, May 21, 2008 from 12:00 to 3:00 PM, prior to leaving for Mexico at UTD and the other upon arrival on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at noon.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
If you have further questions, please contact de Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies at (972) 883-6401.

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