Summer Education Abroad
Guatemala Spanish Language
Guatemala
4 to 6 credits in Spanish
May 30–June 27, 2009
Rosita Cruz
$2,125 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 16, 2009
Status: Program full
The VCU School of World Studies and the Office of International Education at VCU, in conjunction with the Fundación Proyecto Linguístico Francisco Marroquín in Antigua, are pleased to present a four-week immersion opportunity for participants interested in Spanish language and Guatemalan culture. Taught in a one to two student to teacher ratio, this program is ideal for students at the beginning and intermediate levels of Spanish.
Course and credit options: 6 to 7 VCU credits
Students may choose two of the following courses: SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish (4 credits), SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish, SPAN 202 Intermediate Spanish Reading, SPAN 205 Intermediate Spanish Conversation, SPAN 305 Advanced Spanish Conversation, SPAN 492 Independent Study, FRLG 490 Internship or INTL 391 Guatemala-Introduction to Mayan Culture. Please note that SPAN 102 can only be taken in conjunction with INTL 391.
Course description
In addition to language instruction, students will participate in weekly field trips to learn about local history, culture and language. The surrounding countryside is perennially green and filled with flowers, volcanoes, lakes and Mayan villages. Guatemala is an ethnic kaleidoscope. The dominant culture speaks Spanish, proudly tracing its roots to the colonial period. Over half the inhabitants are Mayan Indians who preserve the ancient traditions of their languages, weaving and arts.
The program is directed by native Spanish speaker and Spanish language professor Rosita Cruz of the VCU School of World Studies. Cruz assists in leading an additional VCU program to her native Puerto Rico in addition to her directorship of the Guatemala program. This is her fifth year as the program director in Guatemala.
Registration deadline: March 16, 2009
Applications will be accepted until the deadline or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$2,125 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program is $2,125 and includes the following:
- Accommodations
- Most meals
- Study visits and tours
- Excursions
- On-site program director support
- Application fee and deposit
- Pre-departure orientation
- VCU administrative fees
- International Student Identification Card
The following are not included in the program fee. Students are responsible for:
- Airfare
- VCU tuition and fees
- Some meals
- Passport application fee
- Personal expenses during the program
- Anything not specifically mentioned above
Please budget for these additional expenses.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to Guatemala. Cruz will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket prior to March 16.
Eligibility
Student must have a minimum 2.0 GPA to participate in this program.
While in Guatemala
Students spend mornings with native-speaking Spanish instructors. Afternoon activities include a weekly meeting to discuss the cross-cultural experience. This information is brought to life during several outings each week to local villages, museums and guest lectures. Participants will visit macadamia and coffee plantations, attend a guest lecture by renowned poet Gaspar Pedro, tour the ruins of Tikál, spend a day at the beach, enjoy museums and the Antigua market, view a demonstration of a Mayan ceremony, visit the Mayan weavers in Aguas Calientes, spend a weekend at lake Atitlán and visit the colorful market of Chichicastenango, Volcano Pacaya hike and weekend at Livingston.
While in Antigua, participants will be placed with families. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included every day except Sunday. Some meals are included while students are on excursions. You will have a private room and will share a bathroom. Private bathes are available for an additional $20 per week.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition is charged separately and additionally at standard VCU rates for in-state students and at a 40 percent discount for out-of-state students. Estimated costs, based on current tuition per credit, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $208.55 (per 3 credit class: $619.05); undergraduate out-of-state, $421.20 (per 3 credit class: $1,257); graduate in-state, $428.68 (per 3 credit class: $1,279.44); graduate out-of-state, $543.90 ($1,625.10 per 3 credit class).
Eligible VCU students may apply for need-based financial aid to participate in this program. Contact VCU Financial Aid, Ginter House, Room 110B at (804) 828-6669 or e-mail faidmail@vcu.edu. VCU offers its students a limited number of scholarships for study abroad participation. Contact VCU Education Abroad or see our Web site for further details.
If you have a passport, make sure it is valid for at least six months after your return date. If you do not have a passport, apply early because the processing time can take up to eight weeks. For more information on how to apply for a passport, visit http://travel.state.gov.
The non-refundable registration fee of $250 is due upon registration. The balance of the program fee and the tuition costs (based on the number of credits taken) will be billed separately through VCU Student Accounting after May 2009 (both amounts may be billed at the same time).
All withdrawals must be made in writing and submitted to the Director of Education Abroad.
The refund schedule is as follows:
- Prior to Jan. 8: I am eligible for a refund of the portionof the program fee that has not already been expended in payment of costs outlined on the individual program sheet in support of my participation. I understand that, as the spring progresses, the charges may reflect an increasing amount, depending on what payments have been made on my behalf. After Jan. 8, I understand that the entire program fee may be due. I understand that the refund amount cannot be determined until I formally submit written withdrawal from the program.
- After Jan. 8: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after Jan. 8, I understand that I must provide a physician’s certification that my condition prohibits participation. In this case, refunds will be limited to recoverable expenses.
Every effort is made to provide updated and accurate information at the time of publication. The sponsors reserve the right to make necessary changes to the programs and costs. The university reserves the right to revise or alter all fees, regulations pertaining to student fees, and fee collection procedures at any time.
