Academic Internship and Independent Research

Why Mexico?

Session I: May 24-June 28, 2009

Session II: June 29-August 2, 2009

Ideal for Spanish majors or minors, bilingual, and Spanish proficient students who have prior experience in Latin America. This program offers you the opportunity to gain valuable experience working with local communities, conduct independent research, and earn undergraduate credit in the following disciplines: Environmental Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Spanish, Religion, Women’s Studies, and Youth and Family Ministries. 

What Makes this program unique?

• Orientation in Mexico City*:  Spend 3-5 days in Mexico City visiting museums, pyramids, and meeting with a wide range of guest lecturers. *Session I only

• Experiential Education:  Integrate solid academic work with real-life experiences.

• Diverse Speakers/Educational Excursions:  Learn directly from local people involved in some of the most important issues of our time.

• Homestay:  Spend 3-5 weeks living with a local family, participating in their daily life and activities. LGBT-friendly homestays are available.

• Optional Travel:  Participate in optional weekend excursions and/or travel on your own to nearby Acapulco, Mexico City, Puebla, Taxco, and/or Toluca.

Course Offerings

Internship Seminar

(Business, Environmental Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Spanish, Religion, Women's Studies, and Youth and Family Ministries 399)

• Gain  80-100 hours of work experience and/or participant observation in a Mexican organization.

• Participate in an ongoing seminar that explores cultural issues, organizational analysis, and personal and professional development.

• Note:  A limited number of internships are available to students who have adequate Spanish-language proficiency and whose skills match the needs of local organizations seeking interns. 

Independent Study Seminar

(Business, Environmental Studies, History, Interdisciplinary Studies, Political Science, Spanish, Religion, Women's Studies, and Youth and Family Ministries 499)

• Conduct independent, field-based, or book-based research on a topic related to your major, career goals, or personal interest.

• Collaborate with an instructor who will provide guidance in making use of local resources and participate in an ongoing seminar that explores fieldwork methods and cultural and ethical issues.

• Get a head start on your senior thesis, capstone project, or other significant project.

Course Syllabi

Academic Information
Credit is granted and the transcript is issued by Augsburg College for the equivalent of two courses or eight semester hours.

Prerequisites

• Prior experience in Latin America and strong Spanish (the equivalent of SPA 212 – Intermediate Spanish II or at least two years of college Spanish). 

• Completion of special internship application form with Spanish reference form.

Program Location
The program is located in Cuernavaca, a picturesque city in central Mexico. It is well known as the "City of Eternal Spring" and as a center for innovative grassroots organizing. It is located 1½ hours drive south of Mexico City and 3½ hours north of Acapulco.  More location information. ...

Accommodations
Room and board will be provided by Mexican host families of modest means in Cuernavaca. Any meals students choose to eat on their own are at their own expense. 

Cost
The cost of the program is $4,270. The program fees include tuition for two courses, course related field trips, room and board with host families, pre-trip preparation materials, airport or bus transfers, medical/emergency insurance, and general program oversight. Airfare is not included. The program price does not include passport and visa application fees or entry and exit taxes.  Your entry and exit taxes may be included in the cost of airfare.

Registration and Payment
Please contact us for a hardcopy application, or see: Summer Programs Application. A $250 deposit is required with your application. This deposit will be refunded only if the Center cancels the program. This deposit can be made by credit card or check.

An Internship Application Form is required for all students taking an internship, and a Proposal Form for all students taking an independent study.

Your application and deposit must be received no later than March 10, 2009. In some cases, space may be available after this date – please contact the Center for more information. Final payment for the program will be due May 1, 2009.  

Documentation

If you do not already have a passport, you should apply for one as soon as possible. Don’t put this off! It is very important that you have your passport well in advance of the program.  If you have one, make sure it is valid for six months past the end date of the program.  If it isn't, please apply for a new one.  You can apply for one either at a passport office, county government building, or a major post office. You will need two passport photos, a certified copy of your birth certificate (with a raised seal), and a check or money order for the processing fee.  Birth certificates are available from the clerk of court in the county in which you were born, in case you need to get one. In fact, get two copies so you can bring one with you (just in case you lose your passport and need to apply for a replacement).  For more information see the U.S. State Department webpage at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html