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.

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

Eligibility Requirements

Minimum GPA of 2.5

Good judicial standing (no major disciplinary violations in the past 12 months)

Program Dates and Costs

Costs Included

Tuition, medical insurance, and a Lonely Planet travel guide

Costs Not Included

Application fee ($50), passport ($130), airfare ($500), airport pickup fee ($20), homestay with three meals per day (shared: $375; single: $425/month), homestay placement fee ($20), books and supplies ($25/class), local transportation ($75/month), personal expenses ($200/month), and optional study tour of Mexico City ($250)

Related Links

• Wikipedia Guadalajara, Jalisco

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.

CCIS Mexico Application Checklist

1. CCIS Application - Be sure to print legibily in dark ink. All students must obtain their advisor's signature on the application to be considered complete. 

2. Statement of Purpose - In a 300 to 500 word essay, introduce yourself and explain your objectives for studying abroad. Also, describe the personal benefits you expect to receive from the program, and how you plan to incorporate this experience abroad into your current and future academic and career goals.

3. Two (2) Confidential Reference Forms - Reference forms must be completed by two professors that you have had in the past or have currently.

4. Spanish Language Proficiency Report - This form must be completed by a Spanish language professor at your current college or university.

5. Universidad Autonoma de Guadalajara Application - Type your responses on this application before printing the form.

6. Homestay Application - Type your responses on this application before printing the form.

7. Official Transcript(s) - Request an official transcript from each college or university you have attended and submit them, in signed and sealed envelopes, together with your other application materials. Be sure to request transcripts as early as possible.

8. Passport-sized photo - Guidelines for an acceptable photo can be found at: travel.state.gov.

9. Disciplinary Clearance Form - This form should be completed by the Judicial Affairs Officer, Study Abroad Advisor, or other university official that can verify your judicial standing at your current college or university.

10. $50 Application Fee - This fee can be paid by check, money order, or cashier's check and is made payable to Central Washington University. Please note, once submitted the $50 application fee is non-refundable.

Submit Application Materials To:

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

batesr@cwu.edu
(509) 963-3621
(509) 963-1558 (Fax)
CCIS Mexico Facebook Group

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.

CCIS Guadalajara, Mexico Study Program Sponsor:
Central Washington University
Larry Laffrey,
Director, Study Abroad & Exchange Programs

© 2008 College Consortium for International Studies

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Phone 800-453-6956 or 202-223-0330
Fax 202-223-0999
info@ccisabroad.org