VU Study Centers Abroad

Puebla, Mexico

Who?

You must have completed Spanish 203 (3rd-semester Spanish).

You must be a sophomore, junior or senior with an overall 3.0 GPA.

You do NOT have to be a Spanish major or minor to study in Puebla. Almost all Valpo students can study abroad in Puebla without delaying graduation IF they plan carefully with their academic advisor and/or a Spanish professor.

What?

Valparaiso University students may study fall semester, spring semester, or the entire year at the Universidad de las Américas (UDLA) in Puebla, Mexico. Students enroll in Spanish language, literature, business, and civilization courses for international students, offered at the beginning, intermediate, advanced, or superior level. Students with solid language skills may also choose one or more courses from the regular curriculum for Mexican students, including business, international relations, math, economics, literature, art, and other areas. These courses may count as electives toward the Spanish major or minor, or toward certain general education, major, or minor requirements, with the approval of the department chair.

Where?

Valparaiso University’s Puebla Study-Abroad Program cooperates with the Cholula campus of the Universidad de las Américas to give our students an authentic learning experience in a Spanish-speaking culture. Cholula, a small town rich in pre-Hispanic history, is a short bus ride from Puebla, a colonial city of two million people located about 100 miles southeast of Mexico City. Surrounded by breathtaking snow-capped mountains, the region offers a wide variety of cultural experiences through which students come to understand this country, which is both ancient and modern, third-world and industrialized, relaxed and bustling.

Students are housed in modern dormitories on the UDLA’s campus. They live in a suite with seven other students, most of whom are Mexican. Such a living situation provides an excellent opportunity to practice communication skills, make friends, and become immersed in the Mexican culture. Classes are held on the campus within easy walking distance of dormitories and the cafeteria.

Patricia Ann McCoy, Director of the International Affairs Office at the UDLA, will meet with Valparaiso University students on a weekly basis to answer questions, to help interpret the Mexican culture, to offer suggestions on travel, to serve as an advisor on academic and immigration matters, and to be available in case of an emergency.

How?

You should consult with your academic advisor and with one of the Spanish professors as early as possible. If your academic advisor is unsure about what courses you should or shouldn’t take before going to Puebla, please consult with one of the Spanish professors. With careful planning, you can be sure that your Puebla courses are ones you will need at Valpo for your major, minor, or general education requirements, and that you will complete your degree program in four years.

You should apply for the Puebla program through the International Studies Office, Meier Hall 137.

How Much?

Air fare: Students can expect to spend in the neighborhood of $500-$700 to travel to and from Puebla. Many of the discount prices described in newspapers are not applicable to a semester-long stay abroad, since they are aimed toward short stays.

Tuition and General Fees: Students pay the same tuition and general fee they would pay at Valparaiso. All financial aid is valid during the Puebla semester, except work-study and some “on-campus” aid.

Room and Board: Students pay only the “room” portion of Valpo’s room and board charge. Meal costs are handled by students on an individual basis in Puebla. Those costs will typically be lower than at Valpo since the rate of exchange is in favor of US currency.

Spending Money: Count on spending at least as much as you do in Valpo for educational and miscellaneous expenses, and then add on for any travel you might plan. Past participants have estimated $2000-3000 to be sufficient for their spending needs, though expenses for travel are very difficult to estimate since they are discretionary and will vary according to your interest and financial circumstance. If you decide to stay within a 100-mile radius of Puebla, you will still have plenty to do!

Contacts:

Prof. Debra Ames Associate Professor of Spanish Meier 117 x5102
Prof. Stacy Hoult-Saros Associate Professor of Spanish Meier 107 x5120
Dr. Hugh McGuigan Director, International Studies Meier 137 x5333
Prof. Carlos Miguel-Pueyo Assistant Prof. of Spanish Meier 109 x5398
Prof. Sally Ochoa Assistant Professor of Spanish Meier 114 x5404
Rachel Rivers Parroquin Lecturer in Spanish Meier 114 x5404
Holly Singh Associate Director, Int’l Studies Meier 137 x5333
Prof. Nelly Zamora-Breckenridge Associate Professor of Spanish Meier 123 x5283
Patricia Ann McCoy patricia.mccoy@udlap.mx

VU International Studies Office: studyabroad@valpo.edu

UDLA website:

http://www.udlap.mx/ - Universidad de las Américas homepage

Apply now!

Download an application in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format. Fill out and return to the International Studies Office. It's that simple!