Oregon International Education Consortium
Two-Week Spanish Study in Guanajuato, Mexico
July 10 - July 25, 2010
The Oregon International Mexico Education Consortium consists of Central Oregon Community College, Chemeketa CC, Clackamas CC, Mount Hood CC, Portland CC, Linn-Benton CC, and Rogue CC, offering programs in four countries ranging from 2 to 11 weeks.
The Program
In the summer Mexico program, you study Spanish for two weeks at the Escuela Don Quijote, in Guanajuato, and earn 4 credits at your level of proficiency! Program fee of $2100 (or $2200 for private room) includes airfare, housing and two meals daily with a homestay family, medical and trip cancellation insurance, and advising from an OIEC faculty member, who accompanies the group. Four credits tuition is extra, paid to your home college.
About Guanajuato, Mexico
One of the most beautiful colonial cities of Mexico, Guanajuato was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 for its cultural and historical significance. It is a very walkable city with winding cobblestone streets, charming plazas and pastel-colored houses. Nestled in the mountains at 6583 feet, the city has a temperate climate in the summer, though clouds build up during the day and a rain shower is likely late in the afternoon. With a population of 120,000 residents, Guanajuato boasts a variety of cultural activities: the Cervantes Museum, the Teatro Juarez, the University of Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra, the state historical museum, and the Diego Rivera House, containing early drawings and paintings. The Jardin de la Union is a peaceful site for strolling musicians and vendors in the central plaza, surrounded by attractive cafes.
About the Escuela Don Quijote
Spanish classes are held in the Escuela Don Quijote, whose Guanajuato site was started five years ago by the home office in Madrid. All instructors are university-trained language teachers, and the curriculum is a student-centered, interactive methodology grounded in cognitive learning processes. It also follows the Oregon standards for Spanish coursework in a full language immersion program—only Spanish is spoken during class, and activities include a variety of communicative, grammatical and cultural tasks. Better yet, no class is larger than 8 students. The school is located in the residential area of Pastitas, about 25 minutes from downtown, and provides an office for meetings with your faculty advisor.
On the first day of classes, you will be tested and placed according to your listening, speaking and writing skills in Spanish, regardless of which Spanish course your have registered for. This ensures that you derive maximum benefit from your classes.
You may earn 4 credits of college Spanish in either first or second year. You may choose from SPAN 101, 102, 103, 201, 202, or 203. Another option at 3 credits is to register for 211, 212, or 213 (conversation).
Other amenities at the school are free spanish tutoring, use of a computer room with internet access, and language exchange with native speakers.
Cultural Enrichment
A selection of cultural classes in Mexican traditional songs, folklore, politics, current events, economy, history and salsa dancing is offered by Escuela Don Quijote at no extra charge two evenings a week, and attendance is required for all students enrolled in our program. These classes offer valuable opportunities to practice the oral language skills studied in the morning classes. Twice weekly Latin-American films and documentaries are offered in the afternoons.
Optional weekend excursions may also be made via local transportation or tour guides, such as the Silver Mine or Dolores Hidalgo, the town that began the Mexican revolution against Spain, also well known for its popular Talavera ceramic pottery.
Homestay
A major advantage of this immersion program is the homestay, living with a Mexican family. There is no better way to practice Spanish skills and learn Mexican culture. Homestay families are experienced in hosting North American students and will care for you. They will also speak Spanish with you and maintain a friendly atmosphere that fosters serious study and cultural involvement. Though bedrooms vary in size, they are clean and comfortable, usually with a shared bathroom down the hall. You can also choose a shared or private room ($100 extra). Your family provides breakfast before classes and the main meal at about 3 p.m. Some homes may have wireless internet, but most do not.
Itinerary
Depart from Portland (PDX) on Saturday morning, July 10, 10:50 a.m. and arrive at 8:18 p.m. in Leon-Guanajuato airport (BJX), which is 24 miles from downtown. Host families will greet you and take you home to rest and visit. The Spanish placement tests and classes begin Monday and classes continue through Friday with optional field trips on the weekend of July 17 and 18. The last Saturday, July 24, is also a free day for touring or relaxing. Homestay check-out is at 9 a.m. on July 25, and the families will drop you at the airport for a 12:15 p.m. departure to arrive in Portland at 6:20 p.m.
For questions, contact your Oregon International Education Consortium Representative: Michael Holtzclaw, Social Science, Modoc 205, 383-7236, mholtzclaw@cocc.edu; or OIEC statewise Coordinator: Greg Lyons, Humanities, Library 215, 383-7526, glyons@cocc.edu.
To apply, please fill out the Mexico application.doc and the Mexico Release and Conduct form.doc (Word Documents). Use Back key to return to this web page.