Mexico: Guadalajara Semester

Program Overview

Guadalajara, capital of the state of Jalisco, is Mexico's second-largest city. Founded in 1542 by Spanish conquistadors, it maintains ties to its rich cultural past, priding itself on being Mexico's most traditional large city. Sombreros, mariachis, and tequila all have their origins here. At the same time, Guadalajara is a modern city and home to Mexico's high-tech sector. This blend of traditional and modern makes Guadalajara a perfect place to study Spanish language while gaining an appreciation of the complexities of today's Mexico.

Students participating in the CCIS Guadalajara, Mexico Program will study at Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) one of the country's top five institutions for higher education. Semester and quarter long program options for beginning and advanced Spanish speakers.

Academic Profile

The Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara

Established in 1935, the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) is the oldest private university in Mexico and is often ranked as one of the country's top five institutions of higher education. Its nearly 20,000 students represent all states of Mexico and 35 countries, many attracted by UAG's well-known medical school. Surrounded by parks and residential neighborhoods, UAG is only minutes away from downtown Guadalajara, easily accessible by public transportation.

Course Offerings

» Intensive Language Program
Ideal for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills. During each month-long session, students complete two Spanish language courses. Students in Levels 1-5 enroll in a grammar course in the morning and a conversation course in the afternoon. Students in Levels 6-9 enroll in a culture course in the afternoon course. Students may also substitute the afternoon course with selection of course electives. This program offers the following sessions: Semester Programs: Students enroll in four consecutive language levels and earn a total of 16 semester (24 quarter) credits. Each level also includes excursions to various cultural sites in and around Guadalajara. An optional three-day study tour of Mexico City is also available during each semester. Students interested in courses with Mexican students should refer to the Advanced Program with Mexican Students listed below.
Intensive Language Courses (Each level includes two courses)	Language of Instruction	Contact Hours	Semester Credits	Quarter Credits
Level 1 - Beginning Spanish Grammar & Conversation	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 2 - Beginning Spanish Grammar & Conversation	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 3 - Intermediate Spanish Grammar & Conversation	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 4 - Intermediate Spanish Grammar & Conversation	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 5 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Conversation	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 6 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Introduction to Latin American Literature	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 7 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Latin American Literature Genres	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 8 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Mexican Culture	Spanish	40/40	2/2	3/3
Level 9 - Advanced Spanish (students also enroll in an elective course)	Spanish	40	2	3
Elective Courses (Courses offered with sufficient demand)	Language of Instruction	Contact Hours	Semester Credits	Quarter Credits
Business Spanish I & II (Levels 5-9)	Spanish	40	2	3
Medical Spanish - Beginning, Intermediate & Advanced (Levels 1-9)	Spanish	40	2	3
Mexican Anthropology (Levels 8-9)	Spanish	40	2	3

» Advanced Program with Mexican Students
This program is designed for students with an advanced level of Spanish proficiency. Students in this program choose one of the following program tracks: Track 1: Students enroll in the semester-long Advanced Spanish course and two or three courses with Mexican Students from any of the departments listed below. Track 2: Students enroll in four to six courses with Mexican Students from any of the departments listed below. All language courses include excursions to various cultural sites in and around Guadalajara. An optional three-day study tour of Mexico City is also available each semester. *Eligibility:* Students must be fluent Spanish speakers or have completed 5 semesters or 7 quarters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent) prior to departure.
Advanced Spanish Courses (Track 1) (Students complete 1 or 2 courses during each block)	Language of Instruction	Contact Hours	Semester Credits	Quarter Credits
Block 1 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Introduction to Latin American Literature (Weeks 1-6)	Spanish	30/30	2/2	3/3
Block 2 - Advanced Spanish Grammar & Latin American Literary Genres (Weeks 7-12)	Spanish	30/30	2/2	3/3
Block 3 - Mexican Anthropology (Weeks 13-16)	Spanish	40	2	3
Departmental Courses (Track 1 & 2) (Courses taught with Mexican Students)	Language of Instruction	Contact Hours	Semester Credits	Quarter Credits
Actuary	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Agricultural Business Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Architecture	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Biology	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Biomedical Electronics Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Biotechnology Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Business Administration	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Business Information Technology Engineering & Management	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Chemical Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Civil Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Communications	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Computer Systems Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Economics & Business Management	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Education	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Electronics Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Financial Management	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Food Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Food Services Management	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Graphic Design	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Industrial & Systems Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Industrial Design	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Interior & Landscape Design	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
International Trade	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
International Relations	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Law	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Marketing & Trade Relations	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Mechanical & Electrical Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Mechatronic Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Nutrition	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Pharmaceutical Chemical Biology	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Physical Therapy	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Political Science & Public Administration	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Psychology	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Public Accounting	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Software Engineering	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies
Tourism Management	Spanish	Varies	Varies	Varies

Activities and Opportunities

Student Life

Participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in the local culture through extracurricular activities at the university. International students also have the option of participating in a monthly excursion to a historically or culturally significant location in and around Guadalajara. (The costs associated with these optional excursions are not included in the program fee.)
Student activities and clubs at UAG are also open to international students. Participants are encouraged to take part in the North American Students Association, which promotes intercultural understanding between study abroad and Mexican students.

Housing

Living with a host family provides students with valuable insights into Mexican life and culture. Students are placed with local families in a private or shared room, and are provided three meals per day. Homes are typically located in residential areas convenient to campus; students generally walk or take a short bus ride to class.

Guadalajara Semester Program Details

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA - Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

Minimum Class Standing - Students must have completed at least one semester or quarter of college-level coursework at the time of application.

Foreign Language Proficiency - The Intensive Language Program is open to students at any level of Spanish proficiency. The Advanced Program with Mexican Students requires an advanced level of Spanish proficiency and is only open to students who will have completed at least 5 semesters or 7 quarters of college level Spanish (or the equivalent) prior to departure.

Judicial Standing - Students must be in good judicial standing at their current college or university with no major disciplinary violations in the past 12 months.

Program Dates and Costs

» Intensive Language Program
Semester Programs	Arrival Date	Departure Date	Program Cost *	Application Deadline
Spring 2013	Jan 11, 2013	May 17, 2013	$3,300	Nov. 1, 2012
Fall 2013	Aug 15, 2013	Dec 6, 2013	$3,300	April 1, 2013
* Note: A program deposit of $400 is due upon acceptance and is applied toward the total cost of the program.

» Advanced Program with Mexican Students
Semester Programs	Arrival Date	Departure Date	Program Cost *	Application Deadline
Spring 2013	Jan 11, 2013	May 31, 2013	$3,300	Nov. 1, 2012
Fall 2013	Aug 15, 2013	Dec 13, 2013	$3,300	April 1, 2013
* Note: A program deposit of $400 is due upon acceptance and is applied toward the total cost of the program.

Costs Included

Tuition and medical insurance.

Costs Not Included

Airfare, airport pickup fee ($20), homestay with three meals per day (shared: $375; single: $425/month), homestay placement fee ($20), books and supplies, local transportation, personal expenses, and optional study tour of Mexico City ($250).

All costs, fees, and dates are subject to change without notification. Please contact the appropriate individual to verify all costs, fees, and dates for this program.

Apply Online Now:

University of Guadalajara, Mexico - Online Application

Please feel free to contact us with questions.

Alyson Roberts, CCIS Study Abroad Advisor
Office of International Programs
400 Culbertson Hall
Montana State University
Bozeman, MT 59717

Phone: 994-7044
Fax (406) 994-1619
E-mail: CCIS Study Abroad Advisor

How do I apply?

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by clicking the link above to proceed to the online application through Montana State University.

In addition to the online application, you will need to submit the following items:

Official Transcript
Copy of Passport (Biographical Page)
2 Passport-Size Photos
Home University Approval Form
UAG Supplemental Application
2 Academic Recommendations

More information can be found on the online application regarding the required material.