SUMMER LANGUAGE AND CULTURE PROGRAM and community spirit. is noted for its outstanding campus facilities, personalized attention The Campus is centrally located in the trendy Colonia Condesa, which can be easily reached by subway, metrobus, bus or taxi. It is within walking distance of many restaurants, cafes, bookstores, museums, shopping centers and movie theatres, and a 20-minute taxi ride to the historic downtown center of Mexico City. The University has computer centers, public areas with wireless Internet access, library, cultural activities center, medical dispensary, cafeterias, Starbucks, Subway, and fully equipped athletic facilities. Center of International Education La Salle (CIEL) is located in a beautiful historic house called the Casa Rosa, next to the main campus. It is the coordinating center for La Salle international activities. It is the home of Special Programs, Spanish for Foreigners, Academic Exchanges and Scholar Services is a meeting place for visiting international students. Mexico City is a modern metropolis of over 23 million people with a fascinating blend of Colonial and Aztec roots. It is the capital of a country of over 120 million inhabitants, and the center of business, finance, government and arts. As a cosmopolitan city, it has a variety of cultural activities and entertainment. SUMMER Language and Culture Program Each summer, we offer participants a full immersion experience, featuring a Core Program of Spanish language acquisition and an overview of History and Culture of Mexico. This is complemented by additional programs focusing on Latin American Literature, Human Rights, Integrated Mexican Studies or Service Learning. Students from all over the world come to experience Mexico, learn Spanish and take additional lectures according to their academic interest while enjoying the rich cultural heritage of Mexico through guided cultural visits.
CORE PROGRAM SPANISH LANGUAGE CLASSES The program consists of a three-week language module, covering 45 hours of classes for beginners, intermediate and advanced levels of Spanish. An oral and written placement exam is administered to all new students to indicate their level of proficiency. Classes are small and offer more personalized attention. Courses provide a balance of oral and written expression and listening and reading comprehension with an emphasis on communication skills. A weekly conversation class gives students an opportunity to practice verbal skills with LaSalle university students and other peers. Textbook and educational materials are provided. HISTORY AND CULTURE OF MEXICO are taught in English and topics cover Mexican history, pre-hispanic Mexico, and intercultural communication. A total of 6 hours are given in three 2-hour lectures. Students are expected to participate in class and during the many curriculum-related field trips that complement the core academic program. Classes are small, taught by experienced and dedicated faculty. Mexican cultural awareness Overview of Mexican History Pre-Hispanic civilizations CULTURAL VISITS During the program, students will have an opportunity to experience Mexican history, culture and society first hand with visits, tours and activities. A total of 45 hours of academic trips and activities are planned. Participants will visit the many attractions in the historical center of Mexico City- Plaza de la Constitución also known as the Zócalo, the main central square, the National Palace, home of the murals of Diego Rivera, the Cathedral, Templo Mayor, the ancient Aztec temple of the city of Tenochtitlan. The visit to colonial Coyoacán, south of central Mexico City offers students the opportunity to explore colonial area streets, tour the home of Frida Kahlo, and enjoy a typical colonial plaza with cafes and shops, and walk through the stalls in the neighborhood market.
The English speaking guided tours are to the Museum of Anthropology, one of the finest museums in the world and the Castillo de Chapultepec, which houses the National Museum of History. Participants will take a gondola ride at the famous floating gardens of Xochimilco, enjoy the gardens of the Dolores Olmedo Museum, visit the main campus of the largest university of Latin America- the National Autonomous University of Mexico. The day trip to the pyramids of Teotihuacán, students can climb the famous pyramid of the Sun, visit the Plaza de las Tres Culturas and have a glimpse of religious aspect of Mexican culture with a tour of the Basilica of Guadalupe. The day trip to Cuernavaca and Taxco takes students to a warmer region of Mexico. The city of Cuernavaca is described as the city of eternal spring and has been a retreat for many foreigners. The Palacio de Cortés exhibits a mural of Diego Rivera. Taxco is a picturesque silver mining town with a famous baroque Temple of Santa Prisca with many silver jewelry shops. Puebla is an overnight trip, with stops in Cholula and at the Fuerte de Loreto. The city of Puebla is a colonial town known for its colorful hand painted ceramics, many churches and is of historical importance. CULTURAL ACTIVITES Cultural activities include a walking tour of the Condesa neighborhood given by students of LaSalle University. Salsa lessons are offered at the Casa de la Cultura and students are taken on a shopping trip to the Cuidadela Arts and Craft market. HOMESTAY La Salle University provides convenient, safe and economic homestays with Mexican families. Carefully screened homes are located within walking distance of the campus. A meal plan of two meals a day is provided, with weekly change of linens. UNIVERSITY SERVICES Students have access to a computer center with Internet and a wide range of computers. The campus has a medical dispensary. Sports facilities include a gym and weight room, outdoor swimming pool and basketball courts. Students are issued a University ID card.
ACADEMIC FOCUS OPTIONS 1. HUMAN RIGHTS IN MEXICO This academic focus option would be of interest to students in Sociology, Law, International Affairs, and Political Sciences. are taught in English and topics will give students an overview of the complex human rights issues in Mexico. A total of 14 hours are given in seven 2-hour lectures. Students will be exposed to the legal, social and political perspectives of this issue are expected to actively participate in class. Classes are taught by experienced and dedicated faculty or by expert guest lecturers. Historical background and introduction to current issues Human Rights in Mexico : Civil and Political Rights; Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in Mexico Vulnerable Groups: LGBT rights, Indigenous groups, persons with disabilities Migration in Mexico: Human trafficking on a global perspective, Mexico and the Migrant population. Human Rights Advocacy; key players in government, national and international NGO s Human Rights protection in Mexico: Ombudsperson, Class Actions and International Courts. 2. LATIN AMERICAN LITERATURE This academic focus option requires students to have an intermediate/ advanced level of Spanish as the lectures are taught in Spanish. The classes would be of interest to students in Spanish, Latin American studies or professors of Spanish. Topics cover Mexican and Latin American literature, including short stories, novels, theatre and, essay. A total of 14 hours are given in 7 2-hour lectures. Students are expected to actively participate in class. Classes are taught by experienced and dedicated faculty of the Spanish for Foreigners. Cuentos de Julio Cortázar Cuentos de Gabriel Garcia Márquez Cuentos de Alejo Carpentier Novela de Carlos Fuentes Novela de Elena Poniatowska Teatro de Elena Garro Ensayo de Octavio Paz
3. INTEGRATED MEXICAN STUDIES are taught in English and topics cover Mexican history, culture, politics, intercultural communication, contemporary society, media and gastronomy. A total of 14 hours are given in seven 2-hour lectures. Students are expected to actively participate in class and during the many curriculum-related field trips that complement the academic program. Classes are small, taught by experienced and dedicated faculty. : The Mexican Revolution The Mexican political system Mexican muralists Contemporary Mexico Mexican customs and traditions Media and Communications in Mexico Mexican gastronomy *All lectures and activities subject to change SERVICE LEARNING PLACEMENT OPTION The Service Learning option provides an opportunity for students with an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish to connect academic studies with valuable international work experience, improve Spanish language skills, and experience an intensive cultural immersion. Our program focuses on offering a practical and culturally enriching experience to students while servicing the needs of our partners. CIEL works in collaboration with several organizations in order to provide placement options. Most organizations are nonprofit, NGO s located in Mexico City. Recent placements have been in the field of Education, Public Health, Nursing and Social Work. CIEL staff would accompany students to initial visits. The final decision regarding the service learning placement is on the partner organization. It is expected that students offer 40 hours of service. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: Marguerite Pajot Coordinator of Special Programs Universidad La Salle, Mexico City marguerite.pajot@ulsa.mx VISIT and download application: http://ciel.ulsa.edu.mx