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Youth and Family Ministries Majors

Study in Cuernavaca, Mexico

Augsburg’s Center for Global Education offers unique opportunities for Religion (REL) and Youth and Family Ministry (YFM) majors to study in Mexico by participating in a tailored version of their existing fall semester programs.

YFM majors can mix and match some of the best features of both programs, including a week-long seminar at the U.S.-Mexico border, an internship in a Mexican congregation or faith-based organization, homestays with Mexican families, and 1-3 intensive Spanish language classes.

8 Reasons Why You Should Consider Studying in Mexico for a Semester:

1. Mexicans are currently the largest immigrant group in the United States, and therefore it is important for people in youth and family ministries to develop skills to be able to reach out to Mexican immigrants.
2. You can complete your YFM internship in Mexico with a Mexican congregation or faith-based agency, thereby gaining valuable cross-cultural work experience and developing the intercultural and language skills needed to work with Spanish-speaking ministries in the U.S.
3. You can develop Spanish language skills by spending at least 5-6 weeks living with a Mexican host family, taking one or two intensive Spanish classes in groups of no more than 6 students, and participating in a Mexican congregation.
4. You can get credit for at least 2.5 Religion courses: YFM 205, the YFM 399 Internship, and REL 366 “Latin American Liberation Theologies,” which also meets the Liberal Arts Foundation requirement at Augsburg AND meets a requirement for the YFM major since it can substitute for REL 481 (Contemporary Theology) or serve as one of the approved electives.
5. You can complete an independent research project on youth and family ministries in Mexico (YFM 499).
6. You don’t need to be fluent in Spanish because some of the courses are taught in English. Minimum is 1 semester college-level Spanish.
7. You get to participate in the following regional travel opportunities:
   • Spend your orientation week in the U.S.-Mexico border region where you will learn about the current immigration debate and ministries that assist immigrants.
   • Engage in many excursions to pyramids, historic sites, churches, and museums.
   • Engage in day trips and potential overnight trips to rural, indigenous communities.
   • on your own to the beach, mountains, or colonial cities during your week-long fall break.
8. The Augsburg program is located in Cuernavaca, which is known as “the City of Eternal Spring."

Sample Semester Schedule

Course Offerings for YFM Majors

This ½-credit course provides students with a basic understanding of current social, economic, political and cultural realities in Mexico through an exploration of Mexican history, culture, and cosmovision. The purpose is to frame students’ knowledge of the fields of ministry, health care, and human services in Mexico. It will also provide important background for working with Mexican migrants and immigrants in the United States.

+ 3 or 4 of the following course options:

• YFM 399: Internship: Working with Mexicans
• REL 366: Latin American Liberation Theologies (meets LAF general ed requirement at Augsburg College)
• YFM 499: Independent Study/Research (conduct research on Mexican youth and/or family ministries)
• 1 or 2 Spanish Courses (17 courses available, from beginning to advanced options, including Spanish for Ministry)

Fall Semester

Spring Semester