Downloads:
Jump to:
Abstract - Students' profile - Program contents - Program week by week - Accommodation - IBERO University profile - Mexico City - General requirements for participation - Application documents - Deadlines - Curricular value and credits - Cost - Payment policy - Cancellation policy - Contact
Abstract:
The 6-week course "Social Realities in Mexico" is an academic program meant to sharpen the students' awareness of the main development concerns and social challenges in Latin America. At the same time, the participants acquire factual, technical and theoretical knowledge to undertake those challenges, and strengthen their foundation skills through first-hand experience.
The key factors of the program are an appealing balance of academic and social activities, full immersion into the Mexican culture and society, and direct contact with experts, NGOs and the local population. All program components have the quality standards of Universidad Iberoamericana (“IBERO”), one of Latin America’s highest ranked universities.
Dates: January 7th - February 20th, 2021
Mainstays of the program:
- Spanish language course
- Thematic lectures (taught in English)
- Social service workshop (taught in English)
- Weekly visits to NGOs and integration activities with the community
- Thematic field trips
- Cultural and touristic excursions
- One-week study tour to southern Mexico
Students participating in the program "Social Realities in Mexico" show passion for social and development issues, paired with a strong interest in regional studies about Mexico and Latin America. Your personal profile combines with the program if you...:
... are motivated to participate actively in an intensive program with ambitious academic content.
... wish to strengthen your analytical skills and broaden your general and specialized knowledge.
... feel prepared to live far from home for 6 weeks, in a different cultural environment and in one of the world's biggest cities.
... are enthusiastic to apply the knowledge and skills obtained in the program after returning home, to support the collective good.
... want to enrich your CV/résumé with a specialized program and/or wish to transfer academic credits to your home university.
... want to live an exciting personal experience that will definitely change your perspective of the world.
- Spanish language course
The intensive Spanish course (2 hours per day) consolidates the students' pre-existing knowledge or introduce them to a new language. Students are placed in different groups according to their level.
- Service learning workshop
Basic methodology of social projects: Analysis of macro- and micro-environment, planning, implementation and evaluation. Reflection and evaluation sessions. Meetings and discussions with experts.
- Thematic lectures
Relevant theoretical and conceptual backkground for the program (1 topic per week). Learning outcome: the social, cultural and economic framework of contemporary Mexico. Topics for 2021:
- Human Rights
- Poverty and Social Inequality
- Migration
- Environment and Sustainability
- Indigenous Studies
- Cultural/touristic excursions
Weekend trips to touristic must-see sites in central Mexico and cultural activities complement the program.
- Study tour
The program will conclude with a one-week study tour to one of the most beautiful and interesting states in southern Mexico: Chiapas. On this fascinating trip, the group will visit some of Mexico’s most important cultural and natural highlights, get in contact with the local indigenous population, and visit local organizations that deal with some of the topics that were discussed throughout the program.
Program content week by week: LINK
During the program (week 1 - 5), the participating students live with a Mexican family or host parent who are part of IBERO's supervised homestay program. At the homes, breakfast and dinner is provided (included in the program fee). Laundry will be done once a week. Students will be placed in shared rooms, unless otherwise requested by the student. Upon request, the homestay option can be replaced by a hotel reservation (rate differences will apply). During the study tour to Chiapas, the group will stay in hotels in double occupation.
University profile - Universidad Iberoamericana Mexico City:
Universidad Iberoamericana ("IBERO") is considered one of Mexico's most prestigious universities, distinguished by high academic standards and a strong social commitment. The Mexico City campus, located within the Santa Fe business district (western part of town), hosts approximately 13,500 students. IBERO ranks amongst the best 30 universities in Latin America. The short term program "Social Realities in Mexico" has been developed based on our long-standing experience with social projects and close collaboration with over 300 partner NGOs around the country.
Mexico City:
Mexico City, the oldest metropolis on the American continent, is situated in the central region of Mexico at about 2,240 meters (7,392 feet) above sea level, flanked by the volcanoes Popocatépetl and Iztaccíhuatl. Previously known as the “City of Palaces”, the former capital of the Aztec empire today is a vibrant global city with international flair, where new and old traditions coexist. Mexico City is one of the largest urban agglomerations in the world and the country’s economic and cultural center.
As a melting pot of different cultures, and being a site of extreme contrasts between high tech and poverty, development and recess, the city provides a perfect setting for this kind of study programs.
General requirements for participation:
- Legal age at the moment the application is submitted.
- Formally enrolled at an accredited university, with good
academic standing. - Having completed 1 full year or more of university studies
at the beginning of the program. - Fluent English language skills. Basic Spanish language skills will be helpful.
Application documents:
- Copy of valid passport
- Filled out application form
- Transcript of grades from the home university
- Motivation letter (1 page)
- Payment of the $ 48 USD application fee
- Health certificate (may be submitted at a later stage of the application process)
- Application deadline: October 4th, 2020.
- Deadline for advance payment (50% of the program fee): October 29th, 2020.
The academic contents of the program are configured at a university undergraduate level. The overall workload comprises a minimum of 165 hours of academic activity on campus or in the field (lectures, workshops, supervised field visits, etc.). In addition, individual preparation time has to be considered. The credit value of the program is 7.5 semester credit hours (U.S. system) or 15 ECTS (European system).
The cost of the program is $3,290 USD*.
Including:
- Tuition and program fees
- Domestic air fares (Mexico City to Chiapas and back)
- Housing (homestay with a Mexican family or hotel), 40 nights
- Laundry once a week
- Hotel costs during the Chiapas study tour, 5 nights
- Transport to and from airport
- Breakfasts
- Dinners (weeks 1 - 5)
- Free access to campus facilities (gymnasium, infirmary, computer labs, etc.)
- Local group transportation
- Entrance fees & guides
- Cultural/social activities and weekend trips
- Health insurance
The program fee does not include:
- International air fare to Mexico
- Personal expenses
- Lunch
- Transportation from the individual accommodation to the university and back
*A 10% discount is granted for students from IBERO's partner universities. If three or more students from the same home university participate in the program (partner university or not), an additional 10% discount applies. A non-refundable application fee of $48 USD is due at the time the application documents are submitted.
The non-refundable application fee ($48 USD) has to be paid online prior to the submission of the program application (the payment details will be sent by email upon request). An advance payment of 50% of the overall program cost is required by October 29th. The outstanding amount will be charged upon arrival of the students.
A minimum of 8 registered students is required to run the program. The maximum of students admitted to the program is 20.
If an admitted student cancels his/her participation before the official arrival date (January 7th), a 50% refund of all payments done (excluding the application fee) shall be granted. After the official arriving date, no refund can be done.
Universidad Iberoamericana
Student Mobility Office
Prolongación Paseo de la Reforma 880, Lomas de Santa Fe
01219 Ciudad de México, Mexico
Tel.: (+52) 55 5950 4000, ext. 4688
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.