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Semester Programs Abroad

Short-term Travel Seminars

Customized Travel Seminars

“...from Guatemala to El Salvador to Nicaragua, from capital to city to campo to tourist locations, from expert speakers to the most loving families. As far as experiential learning goes, the Center covers it all!.”

 

- Davidson College student


Sustainable Development and
Social Change in Central America

 

Fall or Spring Semester

Explore the life and culture of the peoples of Guatemala , El Salvador and Nicaragua. Improve your Spanish language skills while living with families in the Guatemalan highlands (5 weeks). Study the role of the church within the situation of political oppression and social injustice in El Salvador (4 weeks). In Nicaragua, learn about the historical context of conflict and change through the eyes of Central American women and men, and examine citizen participation in policy formulation in a globalized economy (6 weeks). Earn credit in Spanish, History, Women's Studies, Political Science, Economics, Religion and Interdisciplinary Studies. (See course descriptions

Regional Travel: 
The program includes field trips within each country, for example: 

  • A four-day visit to Chichicastenango to experience crossroad Mayan spirituality and Christianity and a week-long stay in the indigenous community of Cantel in Guatemala. 

  • In El Salvador, you will visit  with the people of Nueva Esperanza (New Hope) in Usulután, a community of returnees with faith-based organizations working for social change. 

  • In Nicaragua you will travel to the protected are of Miraflor in the coffee and tobacco region of Esteli to learn about local development initiatives and conservation in rural areas.

There are also opportunities for personal travel on weekends and during breaks. 

Sample Schedule

Week 1 

Orientation in Guatemala City and Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Weeks 2-4 

Language study and home stay in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala

Week 5 

Language practicum in rural Guatemala

Weeks 6-9  

REL 366 in San Salvador, El Salvador.  Includes weekend home stay in Usulután

Week 10 

Fall/Spring break

Weeks 11-16

POL 459 and HIS/WST 355 History courses in Managua, Nicaragua.  Includes short trip to rural area in Esteli.


Credit: 

The equivalent of four courses or 16 semester hours. 

Requirements: 

Open to sophomores, juniors and seniors at any college or university. Enrollment is limited; one previous course in Spanish (or its equivalent) is required.

Application Deadline: 

Applications are accepted on a rolling admissions basis. Deadlines are October 15 (spring term) and April 1 (fall term). Enrollment is limited; early application is encouraged to ensure a place in the program. Application packet.

Cost: 

The comprehensive fee for the program is $16,375 (2008-09 academic year). This includes tuition, room and board, medical/emergency insurance, travel within Central America, and in-country costs. Students are responsible for their travel to Guatemala and home from Nicaragua at the end of the term, books and personal expenses. Contact the Center for Global Education with questions or for information about our scholarships for students from historically disadvantaged groups (e-mail: globaled@augsburg.edu or 800-299-8889). 

  

2008-2009


Course descriptions


Course Syllabi


Download PDF brochure:

 

for 2008-09 Programs

 

for 2009-10 Programs


View photos from the semester


Learn more about the locale

Student Blog
 


Housing and
Home Stays: 

You will spend four weeks living with a local household in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala.

 

While in El Salvador you will live with your peers in a guest house, but will also spend a weekend in a rural household.

 

In Nicaragua, you will have the option of a second four-week home stay, or stay in our study center. Rural home stays in all three countries provide you with the opportunity to practice and consolidate your Spanish as well as integrate your academic learning with firsthand knowledge of people's everyday life.