Spanish Language in Puebla

  Mexico

• Central Highlands: 
Puebla

Term: Summer 
Dates: May 16 - June 27, 2008

Description: The University of Kansas Summer Language Institute in Puebla, Mexico, offers students the opportunity to obtain university credit in Spanish courses, improve language skills, and experience Mexican culture firsthand by living with families in Puebla. This program offers an intensive academic experience for continuing Spanish language students. Courses are taught by native instructors and KU faculty members and staff, and are held on the campus of the Universidad de las AmericasPuebla (UDLA).

Cultural Activities

Afternoon workshops such as Latin Dancing (salsa, cumbia, merengue), Mexican Mexican Music and Songs, Photography, and Community Service give participants first-hand experience of different aspects of Mexican culture and allow students to practice Spanish in an informal environment. Students have the opportunity to participate in two workshops, each lasting for three weeks.

Various cultural and sporting activities will be offered at no charge during the program.

Afternoon workshops such as Latin Dancing, Mexican Music and Songs, Photography, and Community Service give participants first-hand experience of different aspects of Mexican culture and allow students to practice Spanish in an informal environment. Students have the opportunity to participate in two workshops, each lasting for three weeks.

Various cultural field trips will also be offered at no charge during the program.

Examples of local field trips include:

    * Downtown Puebla, Capilla del Rosario and "El Parian" crafts market
    * Cholula's Pyramid
    * Amparo Museum (the best Prehispanic art collection in Latin America)
    * Talavera Factory (the world famous talavera ceramics)
    * Tonanzintla Chapel (Mexican expressions of baroque art)

Students can also take part in sporting activities. These include soccer games, volleyball, basketball, bowling, ice skating, etc.

Courses Offered:

All students enroll in a total of eight semester credit hours consisting of two credit hours of conversation appropriate to skill level, one 3-credit hour class taught by KU faculty, and one 3-credit hour class taught by UDLA faculty. Classes are conducted entirely in Spanish. Classes meet from Monday to Thursday.

Highlights: Students on the KU program will take weekend excursions to Mexico City and Xalapa during the program. These excursions are included in the program fee and may include visits to Chapultepec Park and Castle, the Anthropology Museum, the Zocalo, the Cathedral and Templo Mayor.

UDLA also offers optional weekend trips to places such as:

- Oaxaca (Monte Albán and Mitla)
- Cuetzalan (in the northern Sierra of Puebla State)
- Teotihuacan pyramids and Coyoacán
- El Tajín and Catemaco
- Cuernavaca and Xochicalco
- Tepoztlán and Taxco
- Acapulco

The optional excursions range in price from $50 to $215 USD (cost does not include food). Excursions can be reserved and paid for during the program in Puebla.

Cost in US$: Approximately $3,540

Tuition and Fees: Estimated tuition and fees for 5 credit hours (based on standard tuition rate): $974. *

*Actual expenses for KU students will vary by the students individual tuition compact. Non-KU students will pay the standard tuition rate listed above.

Additional costs:Airfare, books and supplies, passport fees, optional group weekend trips, incidental personal expenses and entertainment.

Note
All dates, costs, and program information are subject to change as necessary due to fluctuations in the exchange rate or other reasons.

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Transcript
• Written Application