The Program

Did you know that Latinos are the largest and fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S.? And that 67% of Latinos in the U.S. are of Mexican origin? As preparation to live and work in today's global society, studying Spanish in our neighbor to the south makes a lot of sense.

The UW-Eau Claire program in Cuernavaca is offered in cooperation with the Cuernavaca campus of ITESM, Latin America's leading university system. ITESM-Cuernavaca has a student population of 1,600.

Location

Cuernavaca, a city of 1.5 million, is the capital of the state of Morelos, and is known worldwide as the "City of Eternal Spring". Founded in the 12th Century by a Chichimecan tribe, it was the residence of the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and later of the Spanish Conqueror, Hernán Cortéz.  It is a city with a strong pre-Colombian tradition. Cuernavaca's location, just south of México City allows you to reach the cultural richness of México's capital within 45 minutes. It is within easy reach of other cities like Acapulco, Puebla, and Taxco. A weekend trip to Mexico City/Teotihuacan and day trips to places such as Tepoztlán and Xochicalco are included in the program cost. Other optional trips may be offered at additional cost.

Courses

You may choose from two different program tracks; both tracks are 6 credits, and either track fulfills 2/3 of the UW-Eau Claire Foreign Culture requirement.

Track 1:
You may choose 6 credits from the many Spanish language & Latin American civilization classes offered by ITESM. Courses range from Spanish 101 to upper division.

Track 2:
Requires at least 5 semesters of university-level Spanish. You will take Spanish 352 (3 credits) taught by a UW-Eau Claire faculty member and choose a 2nd 3 credit class from the ITESM offerings.

 
The courses offered by ITESM faculty members change from year to year, but in the past have included: Academic Spanish (SPAN 302), Mexican Art & Architecture (ARTH UDGE4), Communicative Skills III (SPAN 405), and Spanish for Business (SPAN 340), among many others. See additional course descriptions on-line at http://www.cva.itesm.mx/cicom/academic/courses.html

*UD=upper division; LD=lower division; GE4=general elective, category 4

Accommodations

You can choose to live with a Mexican host family or in a residence hall near campus. If you are with a host family, you will eat breakfast & dinner with them. If you live in the residence halls, you will eat in campus cafeterias.,

Academic Calendar

The Cuernavaca program is offered each summer for six weeks. The program typically runs from late May to early July.  A four-day mid-term break allows for longer travel. Exact program dates are determined the semester prior to departure.

Expenses

The estimated Wisconsin resident fee for summer 2009 is $2,370. This includes 6 credits of UW-Eau Claire tuition, CISI insurance, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents may apply for reciprocity; residents of other states add non-resident fees.

Additional costs include: a passport, personal expenses, housing and meals, books, local transportation, and airfare. Estimate another $2,400 for these expenses. 

Total Wisconsin resident cost estimate: $4,770. Costs estimates may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs. Your financial aid package will be based on actual costs in México including the cost of round-trip airfare. You can learn about additional options, including the James Berry grant for Cuernavaca summer, a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships athttp://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility


To apply, you must be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student. You must be in good academic standing, and have a minimum 2.3 cumulative resident GPA.  No previous Spanish is required for Track 1.  Five semesters of university-level Spanish (through Spanish 301) is required for Track 2.  Up to 20 students may enroll in Track 2; there is no enrollment limit for the Track 1.


Application Deadline

Applications  for Summer 2009 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008.  The priority application deadline for Summer 2009 is November 17, 2008. 

Complete applications will be reviewed after this date. Late applications will be considered if space on the program is still available. Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application. No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Comments

My experience in Mexico was full of unique adventures. The people were very friendly and I learned a lot about the Mexican culture. I can't wait to travel here again in the future! -Angela, past participant

The people here in Cuernavaca and Mexico are so welcoming and inviting. There was always the opportunity to talk to people and make friends. The climate is amazing, as is the food. My Spanish improved ten-fold, and now I'm so much more comfortable speaking and even thinking in Spanish! This was an amazing program that I would recommend to everyone, even if you don't know ANY Spanish!!! -Maggie, past participant

Cuernavaca was one of the best experiences of my life. Things that I learned here, I will use for the rest of my life. -Allison, past participant

My experience in Mexico was awesome! Cuernavaca is a great city to learn Spanish and about the Mexican Culture. Staying with a family is such a great way to learn, and the food is amazing! I can't wait to come back here again! -Steph, past participant

My summer in Mexico is one I will take with me for forever! Although I was not far from the United States, I was able to experience a completely different culture through people who were just as excited about my interest in their country as I was excited to experience it. -Elizabeth, past participant

It was truly one of the best learning experiences I have ever had. I learned more about the culture and language in six weeks than I had in the last 10 years of studying in school. It was hard not to enjoy everything Mexico had to offer, and completely impossible to not learn something! -Jennifer, past participant

Not only have I learned a different culture and a different language, I have learned about myself and how to be independent. My host family was great, and the class I took was awesome. The professors adapted to what we didn't understand and taught us things that are for the real world. The time flew; I wish I could have stayed there for the whole summer. -Ross, past participant

My experience here in Cuernavaca was amazing. I learned a lot about myself and about the Mexican culture. My Spanish improved a lot too! I am definitely coming back here again. -Susan, past participant

Cuernavaca was a great experience where I got to visit and learn about many things related to the Mexican lifestyle and culture. The more I put into the experience the more I got out. -Nicole, past participant

"I would not give up my time here for anything. I learned a lot about Mexican history and culture, improved my Spanish, and met people that I will miss so much when I return home. I only wish I could stay here longer!
-Greta, past participant

Additional Information

For more information and an application, contact:


Center for International Education
Schofield 111
UW-Eau Claire
Eau Claire, WI 54702-4004

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu