CIEE Liberal Arts Program in Guanajuato, Mexico

  Mexico

• Central Highlands: 
Guanajuato

Term: Fall 
Dates: Fall 2009- 18 weeks early August early December

Description: This program is designed to provide students with an intellectually rigorous experience that offers both direct enrollment options alongside Mexican students and specially-designed CIEE courses, which lend themselves to a better understanding of the complexities of contemporary Mexican life.

Academic Program
The Liberal Arts program is designed for students who have at least four semesters of college-level Spanish and desire a serious academic experience alongside local university students in both traditional liberal arts themes (Mexican literature, history, art) and more social and language-oriented themes (migration, Spanish language, revolution). An interest in reading and writing is essential for delving into these academic themes.

Academic Culture
The program's academic culture is defined by its affiliation with the prestigious Universidad de Guanajuato and by the program's own commitment to providing an intellectually and personally stimulating experience abroad. While professors are open and approachable, they expect a high degree of personal engagement and responsibility from students.

Mexican students choose career paths upon entry and must pass difficult entrance exams into the major of their choice. These majors have a set number of spots, and many students end up in their second career choice or having to go elsewhere to study if they do not place high enough. Students tend to take most of their classes from a single faculty often within a single discipline. The curriculum is demanding and an undergraduate degree often takes more than four years to complete.

CIEE students are expected to be able to think critically about their own ideas and to share their ideas in discussions. Students study in three different sites within the Universidad de Guanajuato - the Escuela de Idiomas, the Facultad de Filosofía and the Escuela de Artes Plásticas - and must be independent by commuting to the various locales where classes are offered. They are also expected to photocopy and share readings for class; required readings are generally not available for purchase, but put on reserve at the library.

Highlights:
* Prepare for a challenging academic experience through a pre-session dedicated to intensive Spanish language study and reflection on Mexican culture.
* Enroll in courses alongside Mexican students at the local university in history, literature, and the arts.
* Take CIEE specially-designed, socially-oriented coursework in revolution, migration, literature, and language.
* Explore this charming colonial city, its galleries, alleyways, cafés, and its vibrant daily life and come to know local life through a homestay with a local middle-class family.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: Fall 2009: $10,750

Experience Required: yes