Mexico: Guadalajara Semester

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

Semester Programs
Semester programs offer something for everyone from beginning to advanced levels. During the on-site orientation all students take a language placement exam, administered by UAG, and are enrolled in the appropriate course level. Students at the beginning and intermediate levels enroll in four consecutive month-long language courses focused on Spanish grammar, composition, and conversation. Two program tracks are available for advanced students. Option one allows students to enroll in a series of four consecutive month-long advanced language courses. Option two combines semester-long language courses with either culture courses taught in Spanish with other international students, or regular university classes alongside Mexican students.

During the four- to five-month program students earn 21 semester (32 quarter) credits.

Note: Advanced students enrolling in culture or regular university courses will be required to extend their housing by an additional month for final examinations. ($375 per month for shared room, $425 per month for single room)

Quarter Programs
Quarter programs allow students to progress through two consecutive month-long intensive language sessions that focus on grammar, composition, and conversation. Courses are available for students at the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels. During the on-site orientation all students take a language placement exam, administered by UAG, and are enrolled in the appropriate course level.

During the two consecutive month-long sessions students earn 10 semester (16 quarter) credits.

 

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.

Please keep in mind that if you direct enroll for a semester you many need to stay in your homestay for 5 months instead of 4.

 

Duration

Semester Programs

Fall 2010 Semester

• Intensive Language Program: August 16 - December 3, 2010 
• Advanced Language and Culture Program: August 16 - December 18, 2010

Spring 2011 Semester

• Intensive Language Program: Early January - Mid May, 2011 
• Advanced Language and Culture Program: Early January - Mid June, 2011

Quarter Programs

• Fall 2010 Quarter: October 11 - December 3, 2010
• Winter 2011 Quarter: Early January Early March
• Spring 2011 Quarter: Mid April - Mid June

Application Deadline(s)

Semester Programs

• Fall 2010 Semester: May 14, 2010
• Spring 2011 semester: Early November, 2010

Quarter Programs

• Fall 2010 quarter: May 14, 2010
• Winter 2011 quarter: Early November, 2010
• Spring 2011 quarter: Mid February, 2011

Financial Aid

• Financial aid may be used to study abroad if the program has been approved for credit by the students' home institution. Students should contact their Financial Aid Office to learn more. 
• CCIS offers scholarships to students from CCIS Member Institutions. Students should contact their Study Abroad Advisor to learn more about the application procedures and deadlines.
• Additional scholarship opportunities may be found on the IIE Passport - Study Abroad Funding website.

Eligibility Requirements

• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Sophomore (2nd year) class standing
• Good academic standing
• No current disciplinary record
• An interview may be required

Other Info: No previous knowledge of Spanish is required for the Intensive Spanish Language Program, but some prior study is recommended

Language

All levels of Spanish speakers are welcome

Academic Levels

Undergraduate

Costs

• Fall 2010 Semester Programs: $3,455
• Spring 2011 Semester Programs: TBA
• Quarter 2010 Programs: $2,274

Note: Upon acceptance, participants will be required to pay a $300.00 deposit to Central Washington University in order to secure their placement in the program. This amount is then deducted from the final program fee.
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.

Costs Included

Fees paid directly to Central Washington University

• Tuition and fees at UAG
• Study Abroad health insurance
• Official transcript from UAG

Costs Not Included

Fees paid directly to UAG 

• Additional excursions
• Airport pickup fee ($20)
• Homestay placement fee ($20)

Other estimated costs:

• CWU Application fee ($50)
• Airfare ($600-$850) 
• Room and board ($375 USD per month for shared room, $425 USD per month for single room) 
• Personal expenses ($400-$1,000) 
• Passport (estimated $100) 
• Books ($100)
• Local transportation ($150-375)

Note: All UAG fees are subject to change and the CCIS website will be updated as fee increases are made available to Central Washington University.

Entry Requirements

Student applying to the Advanced Language and Culture program must place in to level 5 or higher on their placement exam. Students who do not place in to the Advanced Language and Culture Program (level 5 or above) will be placed in to the Intensive Language Program.

 

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

 

1. Complete the CCIS Application

To apply for the CCIS Guadalajara Semester Program, be sure to complete all of the following application requirements:

• CCIS Study Abroad Application
• Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara Application
• CWU Disciplinary Clearance Form
• $50 Non-Refundable CWU Study Abroad Application Fee (check, money order, or cashier's check made payable to Central Washington University)

2. Mail your application materials to Central Washington University

Once you have completed the CCIS Application, mail all of your application materials to:

Ray Bates
Program Coordinator

Study Abroad & Exchange Programs
Central Washington University
400 East University Way
Ellensburg, WA 98926-7407

E-mail: batesr@cwu.edu
Tel: (509) 963-3621
Fax: (509) 963-1558

CWU Facebook Group for Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara

3. Secure your placement by paying the CWU Program Deposit

Upon acceptance, participants will be required to pay a $300 deposit within two weeks to secure their placement in the CCIS Guadalajara Semester Program. This deposit will then be deducted from the final program fee. Additional information about this requirement will be included in your acceptance packet from Central Washington University.

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.