mexico city
This program is a unique opportunity for students to examine educational issues in Mexico and to study Spanish for three weeks in Mexico City. During this time, you’ll take your Education courses and a Spanish language class at La Universidad LaSalle, which has a student population of about 10,000.
You’ll engage in directed readings and discussions about such topics as culture and identity; education in the context of local communities, national policy, and global sociopolitical dynamics; poverty, public spaces, and everyday life; migration and trans-nationalism; and grassroots and national movements affecting education.
The urban campus is located in Colonia Condesa, a popular residential and commercial area just ten minutes by metro from the city’s famous Chapultepec Park and Pink Zone and approximately 20 minutes from its central square. The south of the city ― famous for its Spanish colonial architecture, volcanic gardens, and cultural activities ― is also easily accessible via the subway.
For more information and application materials see the Study Abroad website.
When you will go: The first summer session of each year for three weeks
Why should you go:
- Broaden your experiences of education outside of the U.S.
- Experience education in a new cultural environment
- Gain a sense of what immigrant students experience
- Understand the educational systems from which students come to Chicago
- Increase your awareness of socio-cultural, economic, and political issues and educational dynamics of Mexico
- Gain insight into your assumptions, beliefs, and expectations of yourself and others
- Increase your ability to work more effectively with diverse populations
- Develop the skills needed for collaboration in a multicultural milieu
What you will do:
- Take intensive Spanish courses, tours of the area, and course work before, during, and after the immersion.
- Visit a local day care center, primary school, bilingual secondary school, and street children educational center in Mexico City, and a primary and secondary school in a rural community north of Toluca, Mexico.
- Listen to guest speakers talk about policy of and current issues in Mexico's educational system, the history of Mexico, intercultural communication, and grassroots projects relating to gender and education.
- Complete course readings that focus on the Mexican school system, educational issues in and out of schools in Mexico, the relationship of socio-cultural contexts with education, and Mexicans in Chicago.
- Complete writing assignments and reflections; in-class discussion will link readings with your experiences.
Application
This program is not scheduled to run in 2011. Modifications will be made to this webpage when the next program dates are scheduled/avialable.
*Note: Do not take SCG 408 if you are planning on participating in this study abroad program. SCG 408 will substitute for the course taken in Mexico.