The Vassar College Summer Program in Mexico is located in Oaxaca, the provincial capital of the State of Oaxaca. Located 250 miles southeast of Mexico City, Oaxaca is nestled in a highland valley at an altitude of 5000 feet above sea level. The summer weather is cool and pleasant, and the city has an informal, friendly ambiance.
Here students have a remarkable opportunity to learn about and experience both modern and ancient Mexican cultures. The Valley of Oaxaca has a large indigenous population and their communities have had—and continue to have—an important influence on the language, lifestyles and arts of Mexico. Important archaeological sites, including Monte Albán, Mitla, and Yagul, are located in the Valley of Oaxaca.
The city of Oaxaca is itself a lively mix of traditional and contemporary Mexico. Classes are held at the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca located in the heart of the colonial city center. The sidewalk cafes of the zócalo, or central plaza, are just a short walk from the institute. In this setting, students enjoy the constantly changing scenery of this charming city. Many community and cultural events take place in the zócalo and in nearby museums, art galleries, and cultural centers.
The Vassar College Summer Program in Mexico offers a mix of classroom and experiential learning opportunities. Students have three hours of intensive language/literature/culture classes at the appropriate level (9am-12pm), and a one hour conversation class (12-1pm), Monday through Friday. Depending on preparation, every student will be placed in one of the following courses: HISP 205–Intermediate Language Studies, HISP 220– Advanced Language Studies and HISP 275 - Mexican Literature. Students will also be enrolled in HISP 204– Mexican Culture, which entails required attendance in the afternoon workshops, group excursions, and keeping a journal in Spanish. All courses count towards both the Hispanic Studies Major and Correlate Sequence, and fulfill the Vassar College language requirement.
All courses are taught by qualified instructors at the Instituto Cultural Oaxaca, using Vassar College textbooks if there are enough students to form a separate class.
In the afternoons, students participate in workshops on topics such as Mexican history, cooking, back strap loom weaving, ceramics, music and dance. These two-hour sessions are taught by indigenous instructors in these arts.*
Students may also participate in the intercambio or language exchange program. Students meet daily for one hour of conversation with local university students and professionals who are eager to speak Spanish with institute students in exchange for a chance to practice their English. This provides a great opportunity for casual conversation with native speakers.
During the program students receive room and board in carefully screened, private homes, where they experience Mexican family life and practice their Spanish.
* – Students will also have the option to volunteer in local NGOs.
On the weekends, The Vassar College Summer Program in Mexico organizes tours and trips that build on the students' course work. Program fees include two extended weekend trips to destinations such as Mexico City, San Cristóbal de Las Casas or the Yucatan. On other weekends, students have the opportunity to tour nearby archaeological sites, indigenous markets and artisan villages around the central valley of Oaxaca. Specific destinations include:
All of these tours are led by experienced tour guides and transportation is provided. Though these tours are optional, there is no reimbursement for students who opt not to participate.
Program Eligibility: Vassar College HISP 105-106, HISP 109 or equivalent (two or three years of high school Spanish). Open only to matriculated Vassar students. Students from other universities and colleges may apply.
Program fees correspond to the equivalent of Vassar tuition for two academic credits or $7840 for the 2006 Summer Program. This fee covers round-trip airfare from New York, instruction, room and board, cultural excursions and admissions to cultural sites and programs organized by the Vassar College Summer Program in Spanish. The following are not included: personal expenses, text books, medical insurance, travel within the United States.
Applications for the 2006 Summer Program are due by February 15, 2006. Upon acceptance into the program, a non-refundable deposit of $300 is payable. The remaining fees will be charged directly to the student’s college account.
Students depart from New York on June 18th and return on July 29th.
If a student withdraws from the program prior to departure, only the monies that have not been committed for the student's participation can be refunded. After the student's arrival in Mexico, a partial refund can be made only in case of serious illness or an emergency that requires the student to return to the United States.
Katherine Hite
Department of Political Science
Rockefeller Hall 410
Email: kahite@vassar.edu
Fax: (845) 437-7599
Phone: (845) 437-7661