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Based at the National Autonomous University of Mexico's Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros (CEPE), the UMBC in Mexico program offers students the opportunity to develop fluency in Spanish and study Mexican and Latin American culture in depth. The program offers an excellent and affordable introduction to Mexican society in the country's largest city. Costing less than a semester's tuition, room and board at UMBC, the program allows many students to complete a Spanish minor in one semester. Mexico City Mexico City has historically been one of the world's great cities in pre-Hispanic times, and is currently one of the largest with a population in excess of 20 million. With its museums, theaters, concerts and restaurants, it provides an incomparable opportunity to learn and experience Mexican life and culture. |
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The political, financial, and cultural hub of the nation, Mexico City shows the varieties and contradictions of contemporary Latin American societies, with its historical and modern districts, its well-to-do residential areas, and its sections of poverty. Mexico City is also an excellent base for exploring the rest of Mexico.
Academic Program
All program courses are taught in Spanish. Courses are divided into Spanish language courses and Latin American Studies courses. Classes are offered as either intensive six-week courses or semester-length courses. All Spanish language courses are taught as six-week intensive courses, making it possible to take two levels of intensive Spanish language during the semester. Click here to see how CEPE's courses transfer back to UMBC for Spanish majors and minors.
Spanish is offered at seven levels, with each level representing six credits of Spanish. Students will be given a placement test upon arrival to determine their appropriate level. Students who place into Basico III or higher are eligible to take CEPE's two-credit courses on Mexico's history and culture. Classes are taught in the departments of History, Art History, Literature and Anthropology. Learn more about this semester's courses from CEPE's web site.
Accommodation
Students have a choice of living either with families or in apartments. Most families who accept students do so to supplement their income. Therefore, it is often a boarding house arrangement. Housing with a family still provides an introduction to Mexican life and an opportunity to use your Spanish.
The program's Faculty Director, in conjunction with CEPE, will arrange housing for students before their arrival in Mexico. Most housing is a 20-30 minute commute from CEPE. In most cases students are able to prepare meals in their apartments or with their host families. Students should budget approximately $250 per month for food.
Resident Director
Our program's Resident Director, Andrea Richardson, is an alumna of the University of Saskatchewan, and a long-term resident of Mexico City. She also teaches at the International Baccalaurate program at the Tec de Monterrey.
Orientation and Excursions
The program starts with a four-day orientation in Mexico City. A weekend excursion to Puebla, as well as additional excursions in Mexico City, are included in the program fee.
Admissions
The program is open to students who have a serious interest in developing their Spanish competency and knowledge of Latin America. While the program provides considerable support services through the Faculty Director and the Resident Director, it is designed to encourage independent exploration. Applicants should share this goal of the program.
Applicants should demonstrate the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of college credit with an overall grade point average of 2.5. Students should have completed at least Spanish 201 or the equivalent with at least a B. The above requirements are minimum standards. Admission to the program is competitive and space is limited.
The program fee, which includes tuition, orientation, athletic facilities and academic and personal advising is $3,700. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due two weeks after acceptance into the program. Room and board in Mexico City cost approximately $500 to $600 per month. Students must also budget for additional expenses, including international transportation, transportation in Mexico City, laundry, entertainment and travel in Mexico.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Most UMBC financial aid can be applied toward the cost of the program. There are also additional sources of scholarships to help defray the costs of participation. Contact the Study Abroad Office for more details.
Application Deadline
Applications for the UMBC in Mexico program will be available in January 2010. All applications materials are due to the UMBC Study Abroad Office by April 1, 2010. You can also print out a copy of the UMBC in Mexico application on line as a PDF file.