Download the 2006 Travel Guide (includes syllabus & much, much more). The 2007 program will be very similar.
This travel study program is intended to provide participants with unique, experiential insights into Mexican cultures and social service systems. Given the increasing integration of cultures and societies through globalization and, given the fact that our local and regional communities are becoming increasingly diverse--with sizable concentrations of Mexican origin individuals in some areas--this program can help broaden participants' intellectual, personal, and cultural horizons and help make the participants better members of their local, regional and global communities. Participants can tailor their learning experiences to meet specific personal and professional interests. Participants may choose to earn 6 upper-division credit hours in Social Work.
One does not need to speak Spanish in order to enroll in this Mexico Travel Study, but everyone will leave the Travel Study with improved Spanish language abilities. During the first week in Mexico, participants will take five mornings of Spanish language classes at Cemanahuac, a well-known Spanish language institute. Cemanahuac’s classes are small (typically 2-4 students per class) and geared to the student’s level of proficiency (from none to advanced). Also during this week, participants will have a Spanish language immersion experience by residing and dining with a Mexican family. These families will encourage you to practice your Spanish, but they are accustomed to non-Spanish-speaking guests. Participants will have ample opportunities and encouragement to further develop their Spanish language skills throughout the remainder of the trip. Participants will also have opportunities to experiment with indigenous languages.