The Spirit of Fashion

Guatemala – Chicavioc 

3 credits in Fashion Design and Merchandising
Richmond May 21–25 and June 11–12; Guatemala May 26 – June 9, 2007
Professor Linda Lee
ltlee@vcu.edu
$2,200 + tuition
Registration deadline: April 14, 2007
Download printer-friendly program description [PDF]

The Office of International Education and Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising, in conjunction with the Highland Support Project, are proud to present a 15-day program in Chicavioc, Guatemala, for a unique service-learning opportunity. HSP is a locally based nonprofit organization that, for more than a decade, has taken teams to Guatemala through its Partners in Service Program. Guatemala’s labor and resources are exploited in the international market due to the economic interest of North America. HSP works to empower Maya artisans for just working conditions and product ingenuity.

Course and credit options: Students may enroll for 3 VCU credits through FASH 450 Line Development (Prerequisite: Junior status in Fashion Design and Merchandising).

Course description: VCU Fashion Design and Merchandising students will work together with HSP and Mayan artisans to create viable apparel and accessories for North American consumers using their design and merchandising skills. The aim is to produce an alternative, or fair trade, product that will be successful in boutiques throughout the U.S. and Canadian markets. Fashion students also will learn about and see traditional processes and products of Mayan aesthetics. The participant’s time in Guatemala will be preceded by a five-day workshop and followed with a two-day wrap-up session at VCU.

Program cost: $2,200  + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee is $2,200 and includes the following:

• Roundtrip airfare from Washington, D.C., to Guatemala
• Accommodations
• Meals
• Service project materials
• In-country transportation
• On-site program director support
• Application fee and deposit
• Pre-departure orientation
• VCU administrative fees
• International Student Identification Card

The following are NOT included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:

• VCU tuition and fees
• Passport application fee
• Personal expenses during the program (estimated at $300)
• Anything not specifically mentioned above

Please budget for these additional expenses.

Tuition: Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $179 (per 3-credit class: $537); undergraduate out-of-state, $401 (per 3-credit class: $1,203); graduate in-state, $379 (per 3-credit class: $1,137); graduate out-of-state, $533 ($1,599 per 3-credit class).

Airfare: Roundtrip airfare from Washington, D.C., is included. Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to Washington.

Payment of fees: The nonrefundable registration fee of $50 is due upon registration. A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due two weeks after receipt of acceptance packet. Students who register after April 1 must pay the deposit and registration fee together upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2007. (Both amounts may be billed at the same time.)

Application deadline: April 14, 2007. Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full. Participant space will not exceed 15 placements. Early application is recommended.

Activities and excursions: Participants will arrive in Guatemala City and will travel together to Antigua. The group will work out of Quetzaltenango and will visit workshops in Santa Catarina Ixtehuacan and Chichicastenango and women’s groups in Chantola and Chiucavioc. The trip will include a weekend visit to Lake Panajchel, a visit to a glass blowing factory, a visit to Chichicastenango, a large Mayan market, Iximiche, a pre-Columbian Mayan city and a soccer game. The program will also include a trip to the wool-weaving cooperative of Momostenango.

Accommodations and meals: Participants will be housed in a European-owned youth hostel in Quetzaltenango. Meals are included.

Financial aid: Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B; call (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or click here for further details.

Passports: If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time is up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply, visit http://travel.state.gov.

Program director: Linda Lee has been an assistant professor in the Department of Fashion Design and Merchandising since 2004. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Fashion Design at Pratt Institute. Professor Lee has extensive experience as a fashion designer. Prior to joining VCU’s faculty, she worked in New York City’s garment industry for 30 years. She has taught design in New York at the Fashion Institute of Technology and Pratt Institute. This is Professor Lee’s second time leading the program to Guatemala.

Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs.