Guanajuato, Mexico
Rock Creek Bldg. 5, Rm. 203 | 503-614-7152 | FAX: 503-614-7170 | studyabroad@pcc.edu
Program Highlights
- Summer Term Program-July 10- July 25, 2010
- Application Deadline-March 11, 2010
- Open to students over 18 who have earned at least 12 college units with a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Low cost flights, living accommodations
- Earn 4 credits which are transferable for Bachelor’s Degree credit
- Financial aid available to eligible students who apply early
Why study in Mexico?
One of the most beautiful colonial cities of Mexico, Guanajuato was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988 for its cultural and historical significance. It is a very walkable city with winding cobblestone streets, charming plazas and pastel-colored houses. Nestled in the mountains at 6583 feet, the city has a temperate climate in the summer, though clouds build up during the day and a rain shower is likely late in the afternoon. With a population of 120,000 residents, Guanajuato boasts a variety of cultural activities: the Cervantes Museum, the Teatro Juarez, the University of Guanajuato Symphony Orchestra, the state historical museum, and the Diego Rivera House, containing early drawings and paintings. The Jardin de la Union is a peaceful site for strolling musicians and vendors in the central plaza, surrounded by attractive cafes.
Spanish classes are held in the Escuela Don Quijote, whose Guanajuato site was started five years ago by the home office in Madrid. All instructors are university-trained language teachers, and the curriculum is a student-centered, interactive methodology grounded in cognitive learning processes. It also follows the Oregon standards for Spanish coursework in a full language immersion program—only Spanish is spoken during class, and activities include a variety of communicative, grammatical and cultural tasks. Better yet, no class is larger than 8 students. The school is located in the residential area of Pastitas, about 25 minutes from downtown, and provides an office for meetings with your faculty advisor.
On the first day of classes, you will be tested and placed according to your listening, speaking and writing skills in Spanish, regardless of which Spanish course you have registered for. This ensures that you derive maximum benefit from your classes.
*Guanajuato Fun Facts
*Site Visit Photographs
Program Dates
Summer 2010 (July 10- July 25, 2010)
Round trip air is included in the total program fee. The flight will be on a regularly scheduled major airline. The exact schedule will be distributed to all participants at the final orientation. Tickets will be distributed and seat assignments made upon check-in at Portland airport.
Itinerary
Depart from Portland (PDX) on Saturday morning, July 10, 10:50 a.m. and arrive at 8:18 p.m. in Leon-Guanajuato airport (BJX), which is 24 miles from downtown. Host families will greet you and take you home to rest and visit. The Spanish placement tests and classes begin Monday and classes continue through Friday with optional field trips on the weekend of July 17 and 18. The last Saturday, July 24, is also a free day for touring or relaxing. Homestay check-out is at 9 a.m. on July 25, and the families will drop you at the airport for a 12:15 p.m. departure to arrive in Portland at 6:20 p.m.
What Next?
- Review the Study Abroad Handbook and the Steps to Study Abroad.
- Attend an Informational Meeting.
- Complete and submit the Guanajuato Abroad application (submit electronically by email) .
- Complete and submit the Release Form.
- Review Program Fees and follow Payment Schedule.
- Email program coordinator Greg Lyons if you have any questions.