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EVENT: SPANISH in Mexico
TITLE: "Information/Application Meeting "
DATE: 2008
TIME:
LOCATION:
Oaxaca de Juárez, a beautiful colonial-era city located in a high valley 330 miles south of Mexico City, is the site of the UR summer Spanish immersion program. Founded by the Spaniards in 1522, present-day Oaxaca remains surrounded by small villages, home to Mixtec and Zapotec peoples who farm and create fine quality weavings, ceramics and wood carvings. The Sierra Madre mountains that encircle the broad valley are visible in the distance from every vantage point in the city, which in addition to its spectacular geography enjoys a pleasant climate of hot, sunny days and cool nights. Oaxaqueños are justifiably proud of their city, and they welcome visitors with great warmth and generosity. Wonderful food, an active night life, gorgeous museums and churches, and unique shopping are just a few of the pleasures that Oaxaca offers for your exploration.
Accommodations
Students live with Mexican host families in carefully chosen private residences. You will have your own room and you will eat breakfast and the large midday meal with your family, providing ample opportunity for conversation and cultural exchange. The host families are experienced in introducing students from around the world to Mexican society. Vegetarian diets and other special needs are easily accommodated. The homestay is one of the most rewarding and memorable features of the month in Oaxaca, and students often stay in touch with their host families long after they return to the U.S. As one student put it, "My family was the best because they made me feel at home and they really cared about me. We talked, ate, laughed and had fun together."
Classes
The UR program offers courses in Spanish language and culture at all levels through the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, located in a traditional-style estate with comfortable classrooms and beautifully maintained gardens and patios. Classes, which are small in size, are held from 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Monday through Friday. There is a long lunch break until 3:00 or 4:00, followed on Monday through Thursday by a late afternoon workshop (choice of ceramics, weaving, music, cooking, salsa and merengue dancing); and finally an hour of conversation with an "intercambio." The "intercambio" is a Mexican university student whom you meet every day for an informal exchange of Spanish and English conversation. "The amount and type of work required for the program was more than sufficient. I learned a lot of new things and my Spanish has improved greatly."
The evenings are free for dancing, eating out, films, visiting with friends, and exploring the city.The Institute offers lectures and concerts on Friday afternoon.
The Pacific coast of the state of Oaxaca has several outstanding beach resorts, and many students take a few days after the end of the program to travel to Puerto Escondido.
Excursions
"The best thing about the program was the weekly excursion. 'Hierve el Agua' [mineral springs and natural pool] was the single most amazing thing I've ever done in my life."
Weekly excursions, usually planned for Sunday, provide the students with the opportunity to get to know the surrounding area of the valley of Oaxaca. We visit the pre-Hispanic archaeological sites of Monte Albán, Mitla and Yagul; the craft villages of Teotitlán del Valle (weavings) and Atzompa (ceramics); spectacular churches in Tlacochuhuaya; and the warm mineral springs of Hierve el Agua. Expert guides accompany the group on our field trips, and we travel in our own bus.
Clusters and Credits
Students receive 6 credits for either SP 157 or SP 207, "Spanish in Mexico," depending on prior coursework and placement at the Institute. Both courses count toward the Spanish major or minor, and they are part of the Humanities Cluster: "Introduction to Spanish Studies."
Prerequisites
One year of college Spanish or the equivalent
Fellowship Aid
The Modern Languages and Cultures Mildred R. Burton Fund helps defray costs for UR undergraduates studying language abroad in the summer. Applications are due February 1st and may be obtained from the Department (see information given below under "Applications").
Program Costs and Applications
The program fee of $TBA includes round trip airfare from Mexico City to Oaxaca, tuition, homestay (with breakfast and midday dinner), 6 UR credits, books used in Institute classes, excursions, and several dinner parties for our group at restaurants in Oaxaca. Students must make their own round trip arrangements from the U.S. to Mexico City. This expense is not included in the program fee.
The application deadline for the Burton Fund Scholarships is February 1, 2008, and for the program it is March 3, 2008. Both applications may be obtained from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures, Box 270082, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY 14627-0082. They may also be obtained from the Program Director, Berthe Kouroublakis.
PDF Application
Program Director
The 2008 program will be directed by the Program Director Berthe Kouroublakis
Please contact her for additional information at:
403 Lattimore Hall.
Tel. (585) 275-4251
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