Faculty-led programs
Study Spanish in Cuernavaca
Mexico
4 to 7 credits in Spanish
June 18-July 17, 2010
Eugenia Muñoz, Ph.D.
$1,690 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Status: Program open
The School of World Studies and the Office of International Education at VCU are pleased to sponsor an intensive four-week Spanish language, culture, literature, topics and business program in Mexico in conjunction with the native Spanish instructors and associate professors at Universidad Internacional in the spectacular city of Cuernavaca. The city’s main square (zocalo) is surrounded by sidewalk cafes, restaurants, mariachis and bookstores.
Course and credit options
4 to 7 credits
SPAN 101 and 102 are 4-credit courses, all other courses are 3 credits. SPAN 101 Elementary Spanish (may not be taken with another course), SPAN 102 Elementary Spanish (may be taken with SPAN 201), SPAN 201 Intermediate Spanish, SPAN 205 Intermediate Conversation, SPAN 202 Intermediate Readings, SPAN 300 Advanced Grammar and Writing, SPAN 301 Advanced Grammar and Writing, SPAN 305 Advanced Spanish Conversation, SPAN 321 Latin American Civilization I, SPAN 331 Survey of Latin American Literature, SPAN 414 Commercial Spanish, SPAN 421 Civilization of Latin America II, SPAN 430 Poetry and Translation (SPAN 414 and 430 can be taken for the Certificate in Translation and Interpreting) SPAN 491 Topics in Spanish Literature and Culture (Students can take two SPAN 491 courses in Mexico. SPAN 491, for the major or minor, may be repeated with different topics for a maximum of 9 credits).
Course description
The Universidad Internacional (UNINTER) has obtained Official Recognition for Higher Education Studies from the Mexican educational authorities. This recognition adds to the approval of more than 100 universities, colleges and governments throughout the world. At UNINTER, students will find parties, social and cultural activities, recreation, dance, football and cooking classes. Students also have the advantage of the following services free of additional charges: Spanish tutoring, basic medical service with doctors, internet access, e-mail and daily round-trip transportation from the family home to the school.
UNINTER, the host institution in Mexico, will grant a $600-$700 scholarship after 11 participants are registered. The scholarship will be equally distributed among the participants.
The program is directed by Eugenia Muñoz, Ph.D., associate professor in the VCU School of World Studies. Muñoz is a native Spanish speaker and has had experience in leading programs to Spain, Guatemala and Mexico. This is her ninth consecutive year leading the program to Cuernavaca. Please e-mail her at emunoz@vcu.edu with any questions.
Registration deadline: March 26, 2010
Registrations will be accepted until the deadline, or until participant space is full.
Program cost
$1,690 plus airfare and applicable VCU tuition
The program fee covers accommodations and three meals a day while in Cuernavaca, study visits and tours, VCU administrative fees, the International Student Identification Card, and program director’s expenses. Students are responsible for the cost of airfare, tuition, books for the grammar classes, taxis, some meals while on excursions and personal expenses. Please budget for these additional expenses. The estimated cost for personal expenses, not including tuition and airfare, is $550.
Airfare
Airfare is not included. Participants are responsible for their own round-trip travel arrangements from the U.S. to the Mexico City airport, where the group will meet on June 18 to travel to Cuernavaca. Munoz will assist participants in identifying a low-cost option for the group. For best fares you should purchase your ticket prior to April 15.
Eligibility
Students must have at least a 2.0 GPA to register. Registrations will be accepted on a rolling basis.
While in Mexico
Participants will have the opportunity to visit many cultural and tourist locations such as Taxco, the Teotihuacán pyramids, the art museums of Diego Rivera and Frida Khalo, the Palacio de Cortes, the grutas de Cacahuamilpa, and Acapulco should participant numbers and costs permit.
Home stay with local families and three meals a day are arranged. These costs are included in the program fee.
Important facts
- Tuition
- Financial aid
- Passports
- Payment of fees
- Refund policy
Tuition and fees 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 and fees, are as follows: undergraduate in-state, $221 (per 3 credit class: $655); undergraduate out-of-state, $439 (per 3 credit class: $1,309); graduate in-state, $455 (per 3 credit class: $1,357); graduate out-of-state, $567 ($1,693 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 2010 (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 April 15: 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 April 15, 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 April 15: I will be responsible to pay the entire program fee. In the event of an unexpected emergency that occurs after April 15, 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.
