Mexico - Summer Cultural Exploration
Programs Offered
Program Summary
- Dates: July
- Accommodation: Homestay and group accommodations
- Location: Oaxaca, Mexico
- Academics: Spanish language and culture classes
- Language: No language requirement
- Age: 14–17 years old
- Cost: $4,850 (2009)
- Application Deadline: March 31, 2009
Program Details Full Brochure
Explore
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 is in close proximity to Mixtec ruins, providing an ideal location to immerse oneself in the Spanish language and Mexican history and culture. Oaxaca City has a lively cultural and artistic scene, and boasts impressive museums and colonial churches, convents and civic buildings. The Intrax Summer Cultural Exploration program in Oaxaca combines classroom learning with service learning experiences in Oaxacan social programs. This program is ideal for students who want to improve their Spanish and engage with the local culture through community service.
Learn
Students receive four hours of language instruction each morning, Monday-Friday, for a total of 20 hours of language instruction per week. To ensure quality instruction, courses are taught by fully qualified language instructors, and the average student to teacher ratio is 5:1. Intrax Study Abroad welcomes all levels of Spanish students on its programs, from beginner to advanced language skills. Students will be given a placement exam upon arrival and assigned to a class of the appropriate level.
Experience
During the final part of the program, your group will travel to a community outside of Oaxaca City to experience the daily life of people in the countryside. In discussions with your guides and local leaders you may find yourself addressing the current challenges facing indigenous community institutions in Oaxaca or the role of women in the movement for social justice in Oaxaca. Most important of all will be bringing these discussion to life. During this week, your group will participate in meaningful service projects, partnering with local institutions that help Oaxacan campesinos. Whether you volunteer at a daycare teaching English or help build an addition to the local school, your experience will give you a unique perspective and insight into the day to day realities of local life.
Travel
During your weekends in Oaxaca, you will travel to explore some of the most impressive tourist destinations. One day you may find yourself snorkeling the blue waters off the stunning white sand beaches, and the next climbing the many Zapotec and Mixtec ruins in the region, such as Mitla or Monte Alban. Waterfalls, turtle sanctuaries, white water rafting and more make up this rich and diverse destination.
Housing
Home-stays allow for a deeper immersion into Mexican culture and give students the opportunity to practice their Spanish with native Spanish speakers. While performing community service and traveling, the group will stay together in comfortable group housing.
Requirements
- 14–17 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
| Length | Dates | Cost | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks | July | $4,850 (2009) | March 31, 2009 |
