J-Term Mexico Trip

Educational Studies Graduate J-Term Opportunity

This program is especially designed for teacher candidates who, when certified, will most likely have students of Mexican and/or Mexican American heritage in their classrooms. The experience will help them make personal connections with those students by having been immersed in, if only for a short time, many aspects of this rich culture. Participants spend two weeks of intensive Spanish language study in the hacienda-like environment of Kukulcan Language School (www.kukulcan.com.mx). Classes are small and tailored to individual levels, needs and interests. They also attend sessions in cooking, Latin dancing and culture on campus.

By living with carefully-chosen families, students have the opportunity to practice the language within the warm, welcoming ambience of the Mexican family home. This is where the experience truly becomes authentic!

As future teachers, participants actively engage in private and public school classrooms, for which they receive credit for ten (10) of the required 100 field experience hours their programs require.  Planning and debriefing sessions with a professor from the Education Department of Columbia College allow for an additional one (1) semester hour of graduate credit. 

Field trips to surrounding towns, ruins, art museums, historical sites and other venues further enrich the experience.  Bring your hiking shoes!

The cost for all of the above, minus airfare, is approximately $1,200, presuming double occupancy. Please contact Mary Pat Garr at 312-344-8146 or at mgarr@colum.edu for further information or visit the International Programs Page.