http://www.umn.edu/
612-625-5000
Study Abroad in Mexico —
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Program Details
Improve your Spanish in small classes with dynamic and attentive teachers. Live with a host family. Immerse yourself in the culture of Mexico. Visit ancient Aztec ruins. Explore the Palacio de Cortes and the murals of Diego Rivera.
Location Cuernavaca, Mexico Term May Session, Summer Session, Winter Break Housing Homestay Credit Type Resident Credit Sponsor Learning Abroad Center Program Eligibility
GPA 2.5 Student Type UofM Students, Non UofM Students Student Year Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors Language No Language Prerequisite -
Study Abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico
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About Study Abroad in Mexico
Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," Cuernavaca's temperate climate, natural beauty, and rich history make it the perfect location to discover the language, culture, and warmth of Mexico. Originally a retreat for Aztec royalty, and later the site where Cortés built his palace, the Cuernavaca of today is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city with a population of approximately 500,000 people. Cuernavaca, located roughly 55 miles south of Mexico City, is the capital of the state of Morelos.
Take courses at Cemanahuac Educational Community, a local language institute housed in a villa in the elegant Las Palmas neighborhood. Cemanahuac offers a personalized learning environment and instruction by native Spanish speakers. Live with a Mexican host family for a unique window into modern Mexican life and opportunities to improve your language skills. Take two day trips, included in the program fee: the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan and the cultural sites of Mexico City.
For help deciding between Spanish language options, consult the Spanish Language Programs Comparison Chart (PDF).
Housing & Meals
May & Summer 2020-2021: Due to COVID 19, we have eliminated homestay housing for the May & Summer programs. You will instead live in shared hotel rooms with other program participants at a local Bed & Breakfast. Whereas homestay families provided all meals, the Bed & Breakfast will provide breakfast and dinner each day. You will be responsible for providing your own lunch.
Homestay
Cemanahuac arranges for students to live with Mexican host families for the duration of the program. After acceptance into the program, you will have the opportunity to express basic preferences that are taken into consideration when being matched with a family. Many families have years of experience hosting students and sincerely enjoy getting to know you.
The majority of families live within walking distance or a short bus ride of Cemanahuac, making it easy for you to get to and from classes. Most students will share a room with another program participant unless they have requested a single room, which is available at an additional cost.
Host families provide 3 meals per day. Laundry service is not provided by the host family, so students must make other arrangements.
Living with a host family means more than just having accommodations and meals. It provides you with a unique opportunity to experience Mexican culture and daily life firsthand. It also gives you additional opportunities to practice your Spanish and learn about current events, politics, and the city of Cuernavaca. Living with a host family can be challenging at times, but students often cite their host family experience as the highlight of their time abroad.
Excursions
Two excursions are included in the cost of the program. The first is a one-day excursions to the pyramids of Teotihuacan. The second excursion is optional, and may change depending on the term. Previous excusion destinations have included:
- The art galleries of Mexico City
- Downtown Mexico City
- The ancient city of Tepozltan
- Xochicalco archeological site
Flight
The Learning Abroad Center works with Village Travel, a local travel agency, to arrange a coordinated flight for program participants. The flight is optional, and is arranged for those who want to fly with other program participants. Group flight information is typically available by the program application deadline, if not before.Ground transportation to and from the Mexico City International Airport (airport code: MEX) and Cuernavaca, Mexico is provided by our partner organization and the cost is included in the program fee. The transportation schedule aligns with the group flight arrival and departure times. Our partner organization comes to the airport once to collect and drop off everyone.
Therefore, you can either book a ticket on the coordinated group flight, or book a flight independently that arrives prior to the group flight's arrival. If you arrive late and miss the group, you may be responsible for arranging and paying for your own transportation to Cuernavaca.
For immigration purposes, you should purchase a round-trip ticket, since you must be able to show your entry and exit dates from Mexico.
Learning Outcomes
- Improve Spanish speaking, writing, listening, and reading skills
- Develop strong sense of independence from being outside of comfort zone
- Learn to appreciate relativity, accept complexity, and embrace ambiguity
- Challenge previous assumptions about Mexico and Mexican culture
- Learn to function effectively as a team member in a diverse workplace
Faculty & Staff
Charlie Goff is one of the cofounders of Cemanahuac Educational Community and enjoys playing the role of historian and tour guide—taking students around Mexico City, Cuernavaca, and to the ancient pyramids of Teotihuacan.
About the Learning Abroad Center
Learning Abroad Center programs are:
- Affordable: our programs are cost effective.
- Academically strong: many programs have strong University of Minnesota departmental support and offer pre-approved courses for many majors.
- Culturally rich: regardless of the program you choose, you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture.
- Expertly managed: our staff in Minnesota and abroad are trained professionals and are always available to answer your questions from extensive pre-departure advising and online orientations to reentry programming. Your safety and well-being are paramount, and we work hard to ensure you have a rewarding and safe experience abroad.
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Program Structure
Program Type Study Abroad Center Program Level 1000–3000 level courses Courseload 1 course per term for a total of 4–5 credits
Coursework
Winter break and May session participants enroll in 4 or 5 credits per 3-week term and choose from beginning or intermediate level Spanish courses (1001–1004) or Spanish Grammar and Composition (equivalent to SPAN 3011W) Spanish Composition and Communication (equivalent to SPAN 3015W. The May/Summer program has four 3-week terms offered back to back.
Note: Classes in Mexico must be taken with an A–F grade base. Pass/fail grading is not an option.
Course Options
Select the term and, where applicable, the number of semesters (or equivalent) of language instruction you will have completed by the time you start the program.
Term Take the Following Winter Break
Semesters of Spanish Completed Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
May/Summer
How many 3-week sessions? One
Semesters of Spanish Completed
Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Two
Semesters of Spanish Completed
Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
Three
Semesters of Spanish Completed
Zero
One
Two
Three
Four
Semesters of Spanish Completed
Zero
One
Two
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Course Enrollment Instructions
All Programs
- Choose one course from the list below per 3-week session.
Spanish Language Courses
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Beginning Spanish ISPAN 1001Winter Break, May & Summer5 Credits
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First-semester Spanish. Develop basic listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Some cultural readings are included. Students will develop the ability to communicate on topics related to daily life. Intended for participants with no prior Spanish language instruction.
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Beginning Spanish IISPAN 1002Winter Break, May & Summer5 Credits
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Second-semester Spanish. Continue to develop basic listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. Some cultural readings are included. Students will continue to acquire the skills to communicate more effectively in real life situations. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 1001, or equivalent, with a C- or better.
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Intermediate Spanish ISPAN 1003Winter Break, May & Summer5 Credits
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Third-semester Spanish. Further improve conversation and comprehension proficiency, as well as reading and writing skills. Students will develop the ability to express themselves in a greater variety of situations in Spanish. Grammar review. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 1002, or equivalent, with a C- or better.
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Intermediate Spanish IISPAN 1004Winter Break, May & Summer5 Credits
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Fourth-semester Spanish. Develop proficiency in conversation and comprehension, grammar knowledge, as well as the reading and writing skills necessary for advanced Spanish courses. Students will develop the ability to speak confidently in any situation requiring use of Spanish. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 1003, or equivalent, with a C- or better.
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Spanish Grammar & Composition (equivalent to SPAN 3011W)FOST 3214Winter Break, May & Summer4 Credits
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This course is designed to expand and enhance students’ knowledge of the Spanish language and the ability to write, speak , read and understand modern Spanish. It provides opportunities to continue the development of language skills. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 1004, or equivalent, with a C- or better.
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Spanish Composition & Communication (equivalent to SPAN 3015W)FOST 3215Winter Break, May & Summer4 Credits
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Expand comprehension of both written and spoken texts. Improve ability to speak, read, and write in Spanish beyond the intermediate level. Prerequisite: Completion of SPAN 1004, or equivalent, with a C- or better.
Optional Online Course
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Global IdentityOLPD 3332Online1 credit
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Global Identity: Connecting Your International Experience with Your Future is an optional 1-credit online course that helps you process your international experience and apply what you've learned upon your return. Global Identity gives you the opportunity to work individually with a trained cultural mentor, helping you articulate your newly acquired skills and differentiating you from your peers.
This course is offered at no additional cost on programs six weeks or longer. The Learning Abroad Center will email out registration instructions, or you may contact a program team member.
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Dates & Deadlines
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:Program Term App Open Date Deadline* Winter Break 2020-2021 *cancelled* May 1 Oct 15 US Departure Dec 26 Orientation Dec 27 Classes Begin Dec 28 Mexico Depature Jan 16 May Session 2021 Aug 1 Mar 15 US Departure May 15 Mexico Departure Jun 5 Summer Session I 2021 Aug 8 Mar 15 US Departure Jun 5 Mexico Departure Jun 26 Oct 2 Summer Session II 2021 Aug 1 Mar 15 US Departure Jun 26 Mexico Depature Jul 17 Summer Session III 2021 Aug 1 Mar 15 US Departure Jul 17 Mexico Departure Aug 7 Late applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. If the deadline has passed, contact Molly Micheels to inquire about applying late.
*Program dates are subject to change. Contact the LAC for verification of dates before purchasing your airfare.
**If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.Orientation Dates & Locations
Orientation will be conducted in 2 parts: an online orientation, which is mandatory for all students, and an in-person, program-specific session. You will receive more information about the online orientation via email. Failure to complete the online orientation will impact your ability to go abroad.See below for tentative dates and times for your in-person session. You will be notified of the official date and time via email. Participants will receive applicable orientation materials via email approximately 1 week prior to the in-person session.
Term Abroad Date/Time Location May & Summer 2021 TBD Virtual session -
Fees for Study Abroad in Mexico
University of Minnesota participants pay the program fee instead of on-campus tuition and fees for the term they are abroad.Winter Break 2021
May & Summer 2021
*The Cost of Participation includes housing in a shared hotel room. A single room is available upon request for an additional cost. The cost will be at the market rate. Contact the program team for details.
Fees or tuition from home institutions may be added to or differ from the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center fees listed on this page.Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.Bridging Loan
Bridging Loan, a no-interest/no-fees loan that funds the upfront deposit and flights costs, is available for this program for eligible students.Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling. -
Prepare
Complete pre-application advising.Be aware: All programs require a $50 application fee. This fee will be charged to your student account upon submission of an online application.
To complete the online application for this program, you will need to select or provide the following information on the online application:
Center Name TC Learning Abroad Ctr Education Abroad Term See Program Dates for term options Program Name Study Abroad in Mexico Track Name See Program Dates for track options Country Mexico Submit
May & Summer Programs – University of Minnesota Students
Use your University of Minnesota internet ID and password to log into the Education Abroad application system. Your student account will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
May & Summer Programs – Non-University of Minnesota Students
Once you submit your application, Learning Abroad Center staff will create a University of Minnesota student internet account for you. You will use this account to access the Education Abroad Application System, and other University of Minnesota services. You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Our staff will contact you within 2–3 business days with your internet account information, and additional application instructions.
Fall 2021 & Beyond Programs – All students
All students, both UofM and Non-UofM should use this apply button if applying for a program Fall 2021 or beyond (academic year, winter break etc.). You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
- Course Enrollment Form
- Transcript (Non-UofM students only)
- Home Institution Nomination (Non-UofM students only)
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit two additional application items—the Low GPA Essay and Special Circumstances Recommendation. Both items will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when they have been added.
Application Review Process
After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.
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Visa
US citizens may obtain a tourist visa (valid for up to 180 days) upon completion of a short form upon arrival at the Mexico City airport. Any students who are US citizens do not need to apply for a visa in advance of the program.
Non US Citizens
If you will be traveling on a passport other than a US passport, contact the Visa Assistant in the Learning Abroad Center at lacvisa@umn.edu or 612.625.9805 for assistance in determining the correct visa procedure.
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Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, send an email to
Molly Micheels or call at 612.624.3949. -
Contact Program Alum
Below is a list of additional students who participated in past program sessions. They are ready and willing to answer your questions about this program. Feel free to contact them during your decision-making process or anytime during your pre-departure preparation to get a student perspective.Winter Break 2019 - 2020
- Valerie C. — Marketing major, Spanish Studies minor
- Jensen E. — Management Information Systems major
- Maya H. — Journalism major, Outdoor Recreation and Education minors
May/Summer 2019
- Marina L. SPAN 1004
- Emma M. SPAN 3011W & 3015W
- Lauren S. SPAN 1001
- Lindsey F.* SPAN 3015W
Winter Break 2018-19
- Ingrid H. SPAN 1004
- Katie P. SPAN 3015W
- Jasmin C. SPAN 1004
- Maple C.* SPAN 3011W
- Aleesha S.* SPAN 3011W
* These students are serving as Mexico Promotion Assistants for the 2019-20 Academic Year
