INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION OFFICE

Study in Guanajuato, Mexico

Program Information | Location Information | Courses Available | Eligibility | Costs | Deadlines & Dates | Orientation | Housing | What's Next? | Photos | Helpful Links

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Program Information
This Study in Mexico program is offered from mid-May through early June as a May session course in Guanajuato, Mexico. Spanish language and Mexican culture will be learned primarily by application and field trips with fewer classroom sessions. The program will be conducted entirely in Spanish and includes four credits of Foreign Studies (Span 3048), but two credits of independent study can be added for students desiring summer financial aid. Applicants must have completed intermediate Spanish (two years of college Spanish).

The group program will be led by Andrew Snustad, instructor in UMD's Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures.

The cost of the program includes the four credits mentioned above, round trip transportation from Minneapolis to Guanajuato, family stay including meals, some excursions, and international health insurance.

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Location Information
Guanajuato is a state in the central highlands of Mexico. Its capital city, also named Guanajuato, is a city of nearly 70,800 with a surrounding area population of over 150,000. The name comes from a local indigenous language and means "place of frogs." The city is a famous historical city with itself and its surrounding mines designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Notable features of the city are its colonial era Spanish architecture, underground road network following the Guanajuato River bed, local mines (especially silver), catacombs, etc.

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Courses Available
Students will complete FST 3098 / SPAN 3048 Spanish Culture & Civilization, which is a 4 credit language course. The course will involve more application and excursions rather and fewer classroom sessions. Students who require 6 credits during summer for financial aid may opt for 2 extra credits of independent study.

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Eligibility
Participants MUST have a passport, valid for at least 6 months after their return to the U.S. Students also should have two years of college Spanish and be in good academic standing with a GPA of at least 2.5.

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Costs
The program package is approximately $2,630. A non-refundable deposit will be due upon acceptance to the program. The remainder of the program fee will be billed through Student Accounts Receivable.

The program package includes:

• Tuition for 4-credit course
• Roundtrip airfare from Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN to Guanajuato, Mexico
• Family stay including meals
• Some excursions
• Cultural Insurance Services International health insurance

Items not included are the cost of obtaining a passport and personal spending money. It is recommended that all participants bring additional money for personal and miscellaneous expenses.

Fluctuating currency exchange rates may increase or decrease the cost of your international experience. Financial aid may be applied toward the cost of the program if you are enrolled as a full-time student (6 credits is full-time for May/Summer). There are several study abroad scholarships for University of Minnesota students. Additional scholarships may be offered through the UMD Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures. Please inquire with the program instructor about such scholarship opportunities.

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Deadlines & Dates
The registration deadline is Friday, February 22, 2008. Early registration is strongly encouraged, as space is limited and the class will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Program dates are May 19 to June 6, 2008.

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Orientation
At least one pre-departure orientation will be held. Pre-departure orientation will include information about financial aid information, international insurance, classwork, travel tips and a general study abroad handbook.

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Housing
Housing is arranged by the program. It includes family stay with meals.

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What's Next?
Before applying, it is a good idea to follow the steps under steps to studying abroad. The IEO website also provides information on financing, health & safety and other important information to consider when choosing to study abroad. When ready to apply, the UMD study abroad application may be downloaded from the IEO website. Please complete the application with required accompanying materials and return it to IEO.

Contact Andrew Snustad for program questions. For application/registration and location questions, contact Leigh Neys at (218) 726-7053 or email: lneys@d.umn.edu

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Photos
[UNDER DEVELOPMENT]

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Helpful Links for Mexico and Guanajuato

• Visit Mexico
• Guanajuato

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