Mexico: Spanish Immersion in Cuernavaca

The University of Washington, Tacoma's Spanish immersion program in Cuernavaca, Mexico, offers Spanish language classes at all levels: beginning to advanced. The goal of the program is to expose students to the richness of Mexican culture and to encourage students to develop conversational skills in the Spanish language.

Classes are held at the Kukulcán Institute, located in a quiet residential area near downtown Cuernavaca. Kukulcán is housed in a converted mansion with extensive grounds, beautiful gardens, terraces, and a swimming pool. There is a volleyball field, locker rooms and showers, a reading room, and a cafeteria on the premises. The school is within 10 minutes walking distance of downtown Cuernavaca. Cuernavaca is situated in a pleasant valley about an hour southwest of Mexico City. It is known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its beautiful weather year round and its lush vegetation. Cuernavaca is a midsize city with many cultural attractions, and it is a popular destination for people escaping the hectic pace of life in Mexico City on the weekends. Frequent field trips to museums, historical sites, and monuments take students out of the classroom and allow them to learn about Mexico by observing and interacting with the Mexican people. Weekend excursions are available through the school at an additional modest cost.

Academic content

Credit is available for Foreign Study in Spanish, TSPAN 199, 299 or 393, depending on the student's previous study of Spanish and level of proficiency. Students take a placement exam to determine the level of classwork they will do in Mexico. All grammar, conversation and culture classes are taught by experienced native speakers. In addition, students take part in a 2-credit course (Directed Readings) concurrently with the language classes. Directed Readings will be supervised by the UW instructor accompanying the group.

Students have two program options:

1. Students can study in Mexico for 3 weeks and receive 7 credits. This is a good option for people who can't be away from home for a longer amount of time, and is roughly the equivalent of one regular Spanish class taken on campus and 2 credits of Directed Readings.
2. Students who stay in the program for 5 weeks will receive 12 credits. This is roughly the equivalent of two regular Spanish classes taken on campus and 2 credits of Directed Readings.

Students will take conversational Spanish classes each morning, in groups of no more than five students per class, at a level that is appropriate for them. In addition, students will have formal instruction in grammar and practice reading and writing every day. In the early afternoon, students take part in hands-on learning experiences, such as cooking, dancing, and singing. As part of the immersion experience, students will explore the city with their instructor and practice their speaking skills in "real life" situations such as the market, a restaurant, the post office, or a travel agency. Some cultural lectures will be in a classroom environment and others will be on site, as students tour the city and surrounding areas. Students are in class approximately 25 hours per week.

Credit will be granted upon satisfactory completion of the field experience and all written work. Students will have quizzes and exams on Spanish grammar and vocabulary, and will be graded on their homework and in-class work. The program offers a great deal of flexibility and can accommodate students with different levels of competency in Spanish, from true beginners to advanced students or native speakers. TSPAN 393 can be used for the Hispanic Studies minor at UWT, and TSPAN 299 course prepares students to take more 300-level Spanish classes when they return to campus. The TSPAN 199 is an excellent starting point for beginners or near-beginners.

Faculty

Perla Gamboa, instructor for Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences, will lead the group in Mexico. The role of the instructor is to facilitate interaction between the students, their Mexican instructors and the Mexican host families. The instructor will be on school grounds every day and will be available to meet with students. The instructor will also coordinate the instruction in Mexico, oversee the grading process, and work with students on Directed Readings.

Student eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students from any UW campus may apply. Participants are selected on the basis of high scholarship, academic preparation, motivation, emotional maturity, and financial responsibility. A maximum of 15 students will be accepted.

Application deadline

Complete application packets received by April 24, 2012 will be given priority consideration. Applications will continue to be accepted thereafter and applicants notified of acceptance decisions as admitted.

Insurance

Study abroad insurance coverage is required. We recommend UW students take advantage of the UW Study Abroad Insurance, as an easy and affordable option. Students with personal insurance may petition for a UW Study Abroad Insurance waiver. For details, please contact us.

Planned activities

Because this is an intensive program, students are expected to participate in all group activities, to attend all group events, and accompany the group on field tours. Students will be in class from approximately 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. every day. Late afternoons and evenings are "free time", but students should keep in mind that they will have homework assignments to complete. It is important that students understand the nature of the study tour; this is not a "vacation" or a sightseeing trip to Mexico. It is a university course and the purpose of the tour is academic.

Schedule

Whether students choose the 3 week or 5 week option, all work will be completed by the end of Term A of Summer Quarter 2012, allowing students the option of taking Term B courses after returning to campus. The schedules are as follows:

• 5 week program: June 11 - July 13, 2012
• 3 week program: June 25 - July 13, 2012

Lodging and food

While in Cuernavaca, students will be housed with carefully chosen Mexican families. From Monday to Sunday, the host family provides students with three meals a day. Students planning to eat out during the week or to be away from their host families on weekends are responsible for paying the additional expense of those meals. Students can find many inexpensive options in restaurants and cafeterias throughout Mexico. As a courtesy, it is recommended you notify your host family of your plans in advance; making plans on a weekly basis, allows students the flexibility to choose what suits them. Daily transportation to and from school will be provided by the host family Monday through Friday, unless the family lives within 10 minutes walking distance from the school. Home stays provide students with a safe, clean, comfortable environment, as well as with social contact and a rich cultural experience. Costs are based on double occupancy. Some single rooms may be available at an additional cost.

Program cost

3-week program = $2,480

5-week program = $3,130

Included:

• Course fee in lieu of tuition for UW credit (7 or 12 credits as described above)
• 25-30 hours of classroom instruction per week, plus additional cultural activities such as dances, films, cooking lessons, and artesan demonstrations
• Textbook and workbook for Spanish language classes
• Room and board (double-occupancy) with carefully chosen Mexican families
• Transportation to and from school Monday-Friday

Not included:

• Airfare to/from Mexico
• Weekend excursions
• Personal expenses (laundry, phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Optional bus or taxi fares

Schedule of Program Payments

Payments are due according to the schedule below.

Method of payment: Payments made in person or by mail will need to be paid by personal check, cashier's check, or money order made payable to University of Washington Tacoma. Please write "Mexico 2012" in the memo line of the check. The administrative fee of $250 must accompany your application for the program. To make the second payment, please stop by our office in GWP 312, or mail your payment to:

International Programs, Campus Box 358430
University of Washington Tacoma
1900 Commerce Street
Tacoma, WA 98402

For other methods of payment, please contact Tracey Norris, Study Abroad Coordinator, at 253-692-4426.

The last payment will be charged automatically to your student account upon registration and can be paid online through your MyUW account. Please note: Students do not register themselves for this program. The Office of International Programs will register the student once the second payment and all appropriate program documents have been received.

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid funds which they intend to apply toward the program cost should consult with a financial aid adviser as soon as possible. Please bring the Mexico student financial aid budget form with you to your meeting.

Be aware that you may not receive financial aid in time to cover initial payments. You should be prepared to pay fees out of pocket until your financial aid is dispersed. Deadlines for payments cannot be waived or postponed.

Refund Conditions

1. If you are *not* accepted to the program, the first payment of $250 will be returned to you.
2. If you withdraw prior to May 1, 2012, all payments, less the $250 non-refundable administrative fee, will be refunded to you.
3. If you withdraw on or after May 1st but prior to June 1st, 2012, you are obligated to pay 50% of the total cost of the program.
4. If you withdraw on or after June 1st, 2012, you are obligated to pay the full cost of the program. No refunds will be given for unused accommodations, meals or other fees and services.

Notice of Withdrawal from the program MUST be made in writing to:

International Programs, Campus Box 358430
University of Washington, Tacoma
1900 Commerce St
Tacoma WA 98402

No refunds will be given for unused accommodations, meals or other fees and services.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant changes in the cost of transportion, food or lodging, some adjustments to program fees may be necessary. In addition, scheduled activities may vary slightly depending on the availability of Mexican scholars and instructors. If such changes occur, students will be notified and options for the students will be given.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by May 1, 2012, the program will be cancelled and all monies paid in will be refunded.

Equal Opportunity and Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in accordance with University policy and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact the Disability Support Services Office at least ten days in advance.