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Mexico - Summer Cultural Exploration

Program Details
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Explore

The Summer Cultural Exploration program in Oaxaca City, Mexico is ideal for students who want to improve their Spanish and explore the many cultural wonders that Mexico has to offer. The program includes four weeks of Spanish language courses and homestay accommodation, along with afternoon and weekend cultural and leisure activities. Students interested in community service will have the opportunity to volunteer with a local organization. As a grand finale, the program includes a 3-day trip to Puerto Escondido and the surrounding areas, giving students the opportunity to explore some of the most stunning Pacific beaches that Mexico has to offer!

Separated by mountains from central Mexico, Oaxaca can feel worlds apart with its sunnier, slower existence. Oaxaca City is home to a significant indigenous population and in close proximity to Mixtec ruins, providing an ideal location to immerse oneself in the Spanish language and Mexican history and culture.

The city follows the Spanish colonial model of narrow streets and European-influenced architecture, but is awash with the bright colors favored by the local population. Oaxaca City has a lively cultural and artistic scene, and boasts impressive museums and colonial churches, convents and civic buildings. It also has thriving village markets and outstanding hand crafts, modern compliments of the descendants of the Zapotec Indians who constructed the notable nearby ruins of Monte Albán and Mitla.

Learn

Intensive Spanish classes take place each morning, Monday-Friday, for a total of 20 hours of language instruction per week. To ensure quality instruction, the average student-to-teacher ratio is a 5:1. Intrax Study Abroad welcomes all levels of Spanish students on its programs, from beginners to advanced. Students are placed in the appropriate level based on a placement exam.  The school is located in a beautiful two-hundred-year old building in the center of Oaxaca. The school has 16 classrooms, which surround a patio where students can study or hang out before class. There is also a restaurant and café located inside the building. The school is conveniently located just a few blocks from Oaxaca's main square (Zócalo).

Experience

Weekday afternoons students have the opportunity to participate in an array of cultural, leisure and community service activities that add rich depth to the overall understanding of Mexican culture. Not only will students visit notable museums and churches in Oaxaca, they'll also have the opportunity to explore local markets and get to know the various plazas and narrow streets of Oaxaca through walking tours.

Explore

Fun and learning continues into the weekend. Students will have the chance to explore Mexico on the following organized weekend excursions:

• Day trip with a local guide to the Mixtec ruins of Monte Albán
• Day trip with a local guide to the Mixtec/Zapotec city of Mitla, as well as a visit to El Tule.
• Visit traditional Oaxacan towns, enjoy a traditional lunch, and explore local handicraft markets
• 3 day trip to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Escondido and surrounding areas

Community Service Opportunities in Oaxaca

Students who are interested in community service will have the opportunity to participate in two meaningful volunteer programs devoted to the children of Oaxaca. Both of these organizations offer Intrax students the chance to volunteer from one to four times per week based on the amount of time students are interested in dedicating to community service

Centro de Esperanza Infantil (Center of Hope for Children)
www.oaxacastreetchildren.org

This organization is devoted to lessening poverty by removing the physical barriers that may prevent children from receiving an education. Some of Oaxaca's poorest families are unable to afford education, basic health care, or nutritious meals for their children. Centro de Esperanza Infantil provides support to the community by offering a school sponsorship program, a food and medical program and a community center. Intrax students have the opportunity to volunteer in the kitchen and help prepare meals for the children.

Centro de Rehabilitación Infantil Teletón (CRIT) (Center Teletón for the Rehabilitation of Children)
www.teleton.org.mx/amigos.php

CRIT is an organization devoted to handicapped children. Their beautiful Oaxaca center was built thanks to a large, nationwide fundraising effort. Intrax students can support the staff in administering physical therapy to the children or help in the nursery school. Students can also provide assistance by accompanying the "Amigos de Teletón" Club on field trips with the children to local museums, parks and other fun activities.

Travel

Fun and learning continues into the weekend. Students will have the chance to explore Mexico on the following organized weekend excursions:

• Day trip with a local guide to the Mixtec ruins of Monte Albán
• Day trip with a local guide to the Mixtec/Zapotec city of Mitla, as well as a visit to El Tule
• Visit traditional Oaxacan towns, enjoy a traditional lunch and explore local handicraft markets
• 3 day trip to the beautiful beaches of Puerto Escondido and surrounding areas

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Housing

Intrax students will stay with carefully selected host families in Oaxaca. Homestays allow for a deeper immersion into Mexican culture and give students the opportunity to practice their Spanish with native Spanish speakers. Adjustment to host family life and Mexican culture will be assisted by an On-Site Coordinator.  There is an 11pm curfew for this program.

Requirements

• 14 - 18 years old at the time of program departure
• 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
• Flexible and mature personality, desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences

Program Information

Program includes:

• Round-trip airfare from a major international airport near your home (in the continental U.S.) including domestic and international flights
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure
• Homestay with a local family, including breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
• Intensive Spanish language instruction four hours per day, Monday through Friday
• Excursions to Monte Albán, Mitla, El Tule and traditional Oaxacan villages
• Program finale excursion: Round trip flight and accommodation for a 3-day stay in the Puerto Escondido area
• Afternoon activities
• Student health and accident insurance
• 24-hour emergency assistance
• Pre-departure and in-country orientations
• Supervision, guidance, and support during the application process and throughout the program including an Intrax On-Site Coordinator
• Intrax T-Shirt ( girls | boys )
• Intrax Student Handbook

Program does not include:

• Passport and any applicable visa fees
• Meals not specified above
• Personal expenses (e.g., toiletries, clothing, internet, calling card, optional activities)
• Any other item not specified

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