Mexico: Guadalajara Semester

The Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara in Guadalajara

The Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara (UAG) was founded as Mexico's first private institution. UAG has six campuses in and around Guadalajara and currently enrolls 17,000 students. CCIS students take their classes on the main campus. The campus is located on the outskirts of the city in a park-like setting. Wireless access is available on the UAG campus.

Course Offerings

During the academic year, students can take intensive language classes, direct enrollment classes taught in Spanish, or a combination of both:

Intensive language program: Take four intensive language cycles during the regular semester for the semester price (available for students of all levels).  During the academic year, students can also take one or multiple 4-week language cycles back to back to create a customized program.  Language classes focus on grammar and conversation, and eight levels of study are available.  Each cycle is worth 4 semester/6 quarter credits.

Language study + direct enrollment:Intermediate and advanced students can take levels V—VII during the semester.  Classes meet for two hours per day, allowing students also to enroll in courses directly at the university.  Direct enrollment courses are taught in Spanish.

Direct enrollment only:  Students with a high level of language proficiency may elect to enroll directly at the University.  Courses are available in the sciences, social sciences and humanities.

Direct enrollment requires the permission of the CII.  For options two or three above, you must place into level V or higher.

Course descriptions available at:
http://www.cwu.edu/~studyabroad/north_america/mexico_uagprg.html

Academic Highlights

Eight levels of language instruction make this program suitable for beginners through advanced speakers, and flexible, too.

Medical Spanish - Both students and health professionals at all levels of Spanish can take the four-week language cycle as described above, but with the conversation component focusing on medical vocabulary and situations.  Open to all students, regardless of experience.  Offered with a minimum enrollment of five and a maximum of thirty. 

 

Student Life

Students generally live with a host family during the program, which provides three meals per day. Two to four international students are placed in each home. Single occupancy homestays may be arranged for an additional charge, or students may also arrange their own housing. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Spanish speaking environment through extracurricular activities and interaction with Mexican students and residents of Guadalajara. International students, as well as domestic students, can join the North American Students Association, which promotes intercultural understanding through its activities. Student activities at UAG are also open to international students.

Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Spanish speaking environment through extracurricular activities and personal contact with Mexicans.  During the academic year, students can participate in clubs, and the international office on site posts information on additional activities.  Students can also participate in an excursion to a location of historical or cultural significance during each 4-week course.

Housing

Students may stay with a host family or arrange their own housing.  The homestays offered by UAG are much like a boarding arrangement: students experience the culture of a Mexican home, but often live fairly independently of the family. Homestays cost USD $375 per month and include all meals.  Single occupancy homestays are available for USD $425 per month.  Homestays are arranged by UAG.

Alumni Feedback

"Studying abroad is the best decision I have ever made, I am so grateful I took advantage of this opportunity. This experience will stay with me for the rest of my life, I have learned so many new things I could never learn at home and made lifelong friends. Mexico is so incredible I extended my stay!"
- Margi Garrison, Central Washington University

"The program has been a life changing experience for me. I was only going to study for 8 weeks at the University but after the first 2 weeks I knew I wanted to stay and study longer because of the atmosphere and people. I have met life long friends, I have learned life long experiences, and I have recieved a good education. The culture is very diverse and I have enjoyed many aspects of the Mexican culture. The people are very friendly and welcoming, the food is wonderful, and the weather is awesome. The classes have been great because they are very small . I am very glad I made the decision to study in Guadalajara and look forward to coming back to visit or even study here again."
- Scott Alexander, Central Washington University

"I really like Guadalajara because the big-city life does not drown out the typical Mexican traditions. An added bonus is that there are several small municipalities and towns on the outskirts of the city where a large number of artisans make and sell their products. My favorite cultural experiences so far have been seeing mariachis perform in a variety of places and going to the Ballet Folcl—rico (Folkloric Ballet) that takes place every Sunday morning. By bus, the city is about 5 hours away from Puerto Vallarta, 3 1/2 hours away from Guanajuato, and 8 hours away from Mexico City, so there are many good opportunities for weekend trips that explore other parts of Mexico."
-Katie Giancola, Youngstown State University

 

Duration

Application Deadline(s)

See Above

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA: 2.5
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
Other Info: No previous knowledge of Spanish is required, but some prior study is recommended.
Good academic standing
No current disciplinary record
An interview may be required

Costs

Costs Included

UAG tuition and fees, international health insurance and CWU and CCIS administrative fees.

Costs Not Included

$50 CWU application fee, airfare, airport pickup fee ($20), room & board, homestay placement fee ($20), some excursions.

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.

Related Links

• Wikipedia Guadalajara, Jalisco

 

Submit Application Materials To:

Kate McCarthy

Interim Director, Study Abroad & Exchange Programs
Central Washington University
400 E. University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7408
(509) 963-3612
(509) 963-1558 (fax)
goabroad@cwu.edu
CWU Study Abroad Site

How do I apply?

 

Start the CCIS Study Abroad application process by downloading and printing the following forms. These PDF documents are viewed using Adobe's Acrobat Reader plug-in, which is available free. If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, click here.

CCIS APPLICATION PACKAGE AND INSTRUCTIONS

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.