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| Location: Guanajuato, Mexico |
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Program Highlights México's rich history, culture diversity, friendly people, diverse geography, and low cost of living make it a popular destination for U.S. students to study abroad. Guanajuato is just one of its beautiful cities, and a wonderful place to learn Spanish. The picturesque city is nestled in the mountains of the Sierra de Guanajuato. You cannot beat its Spring-like climate, with some rain in the afternoons between July and September, and cooler temperatures between December and February. Guanajuato is incredibly charming. The town is truly a maze of cobblestone alleys and streets that wind around steep hillsides, lovely churches, and plazas. Since most of automobiles are directed through and under the city through tunnels, you have to navigate the city by foot if you want to really experience it. Guanajuato has a distinctive European flavor unlike that of perhaps any other Mexican city. During centuries, it operated as a major mining center, pouring out silver for the Spanish crown. Guanajuato is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, criss-crossed by hundreds of callejones (alleyways), the most famous of which is Callejón del Beso (Alley of the Kiss). This street follows the original course of the Guanajuato River, which runs beneath the city for almost 3 kilometers. It is peaceful, but lively, and there's plenty to see. Don't miss the world-famous Mummy Museum and many other attractions in the city. Guanajuato hosts the annual International Cervantino Festival, in honor of Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote." Artists come from around the world to celebrate.
"Guanajuato is a safe city with so much life and culture and warm people who want to get to know you. Overall, it's cheaper than EIU but with the same course quality and intensity." -- Gerald Cotiangco, Fall 2009 participant. Academic Programs Spanish for Foreigners (two options) 1. SUMMER PROGRAM Courses include: SPANISH LANGUAGE - Intensive practice in spoken and written Spanish, highlighting vocabulary, morphology forms, and complex syntactic structures. Beginning classes are 58 hours while Intermediate/Advanced classes are 40 hours. MEXICAN ART - An examination of the important periods of Mexican Art: Precolombian, Colonial and Modern, only for Intermediate and Advanced students. 8 hrs. INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE OF MEXICO - Seminars of political, economic, cultural and social affairs of contemporary México, all levels. 4 hrs. FOLK DANCE - A practical approach to learning traditional Mexican dances (salsa, rumba, cha-cha-cha, etc.). 8 hrs. This course is optional. 2. SEMESTER PROGRAM During the year there are two semester courses, with 6 levels in Spanish. Foreign students who would like to enter the semester program must take a placement test. This exam indicates the level at which you must register. The cost of this exam is $40.00 pesos which is paid on the third floor of the University´s main building in "Caja". Courses include: Grammar Class - 1 hour, 5 days a week Conversation Class - 1 hour, 5 days a week History Workshop - 1 hour, 4 days a week Literature Workshop - 1 hour, 4 days a week Reading Workshop - 1 hour, 4 days a week Folk Dance Classes - 2 hrs. Mon. & Tue. evenings Please note that the literature/history workshops are only for levels 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Student Life It's truly a college town and the best kept secret in Mexico. People are very friendly, there is an active student culture, and the streets of the Centro are always crowded, even on a weeknight. Music, mixed with laughter and dancing, seems to eminate from every corner of the city. Read a great article about Guanajuato from the LA Times: Guanajuato's mix of mines, mummies, and music.
Housing The University of Guanajuato does not have dormitories; however, they do provide assistance regarding housing arrangements. They encourage students to take advantage of homestays with selected Mexican families. Homestays have proved to be an excellent way to give students more exposure to the language. You will be provided with double-occupancy lodging and three meals per day in a warm family atmosphere. Single rooms have an extra cost and are available upon request. The daily cost is $16.00 U.S. dollars per person in double occupancy. Students will have to make the house payment directly to their host families.
Foreign Entry Requirements Passport YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER DATE OF DEPARTURE You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on your host countries. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip. Travel Document Systems (TDS) can also provide you with helpful information on every country, including entry requirements, cultural information, travel conditions, economy, and more. You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip. **Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as visa regulations and procedures are constantly changing. Please consult the Consulate for more information. ** Please note that EIU does not own, operate, or sponsor this program. |
