Study Spanish in Cuernavaca – the city of eternal spring!
Mexico
Spanish Language and Culture in Cuernavaca
4 to 7 credits in Spanish
June 22 – July 21, 2007
Dr. Eugenia Munoz
emunoz@vcu.edu
$1,470 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: May 4, 2007
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The School of World Studies and the Office of International Education at Virginia Commonwealth University are pleased to sponsor an intensive four-week Spanish language, culture, literature, topics and business program in Mexico in conjunction with the native Spanish instructors and associate professors at Universidad Internacional in the spectacular city of Cuernavaca, where the main square (zocalo) is surrounded by sidewalk cafes, restaurants, mariachis and bookstores.
Course and credit options: Students may enroll for 4 to 7 credits through the following (SPAN 101 and 102 are 4-credit courses; all other courses are 3 credits): SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish (may not be taken with another course), SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish (may be taken with SPAN 201), SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish, SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish Conversation, SPAN 300 Advanced Grammar and Writing, SPAN 301 Advanced Grammar and Writing, SPAN 305 Advanced Spanish Conversation, SPAN 320 Civilization of Spain, SPAN 321 Latin American Civilization I, SPAN 331 Survey of Latin American Literature, SPAN 414 Commercial Spanish, SPAN 421 Civilization of Latin America II and SPAN 491 Topics in Spanish Literature and Culture. (Students can take two SPAN 491 courses in Mexico. SPAN 491, for the major or minor, may be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credits.)
Course description: The Universidad Internacional (UNINTER) has obtained Official Recognition for Higher Education Studies from the Mexican educational authorities. This recognition adds to the approval of more than 100 universities, colleges and governments throughout the world. At UNINTER students will find parties, social and cultural activities, recreation, dance, football and cooking classes. Students also have the advantage of the following services free of additional charges: Spanish tutoring, basic medical service with doctors, Internet access, e-mail and daily round-trip transportation from the family home to the school.
UNINTER, the host institution in Mexico, will grant a $600 – $700 scholarship for every 11 participants registered. The scholarship will be equally distributed among the participants.
Program cost: $1,470 + airfare + applicable VCU tuition
The program fee covers accommodations and three meals a day while in Cuernavaca, study visits and tours, VCU administrative fees, the International Student Identification Card and program director’s expenses. Students are responsible for the cost of airfare, tuition, books for the grammar classes, some meals while on excursions and other miscellaneous personal expenses. Please budget for these additional expenses. The estimated cost for personal expenses, not including tuition and airfare, is $400.
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: Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own roundtrip travel arrangements from the U.S. to the Mexico City airport, where the group will meet on June 22, 2007, to travel to Cuernavaca. Dr. Munoz will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For the best fares, purchase your ticket prior to April 15.
Payment of fees: The nonrefundable application fee of $50 is due upon registration. A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due two weeks after receipt of the 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 will be billed through VCU Student Accounting after May 2007.
Application deadline: May 4, 2007. Applications will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.
Activities and excursions: Participants will have the opportunity to visit many cultural and tourist locations such as Taxco, the Teotihucán pyramids, the art museums of Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo, the Palacio de Cortes, the grutas de Cacahuamilpa and Acapulco should participant numbers and costs permit.
Accommodations and meals: Home stay with local families and three meals per day are arranged. These costs are included in the program fee.
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: The program is directed by Dr. Eugenia Muñoz, associate professor in the VCU School of World Studies. Dr. Muñoz is a native Spanish speaker and has had experience in leading programs to Spain, Guatemala and Mexico. This is her sixth consecutive year leading the program to Cuernavaca.
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.
