Itinerary

English Language & Culture

English Literature & Culture awards 3 credits for English 1302 or ENGL 2342. Attend lectures in English on Mexican Folklore, Poetry, and History presented by Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG) professors, one of México's finest private universities in the historic city of Guadalajara. This is a thematic course on Mexican literature and culture. Writing assignments will focus on readings from Mexican authors, Carlos Fuentes, Octavio Paz, and Juan Rulfo.

All participants will enjoy excursions in Guadalajara and nearby historic towns, Tonalá, and Tlaquepaque and a sightseeing trip to México City led by professors from Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara. Lectures and writing lab activities are scheduled from Monday to Friday; afternoon group activities include tours to historic sites and monuments. Weekends include required group activities. A friendly Mexican host family will provide single or double occupancy accommodations and meals, all within a short bus ride or walking distance from the university. Note: Required attendance at state-side orientation on May 7th. Expect to walk reasonable distances and climb stairs.

Location
Guadalajara and México City - you will be studying at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara (UAG), Centro Internacional de Idiomas for 14 days. On June 24th, we travel by to México City for a 3 day tour of historical sites before returning to Houston.

Travel Dates
Depart on Thursday, June 11 and return on Sunday, June 28, 2009.

Passport
A valid passport is required.

Program Costs

Program Cost of $1,695 includes the following:

Roundtrip airfare via Continental Airlines Group Travel: Houston Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Guadalajara/Mexico City to IAH
Bus transportation to/from airports in Mexico & tours
Placement exam; Spanish classes (Levels 1-7) taught by UAG Centro de Idiomas professors (Spanish Immersion) or Cultural lectures (English Literature)
Home-stay (14 nights) with Mexican family and at least 2 meals daily, shared bedroom/bath
Guided tours, entrance fees: Centro Histórico (2), Zapópan, Tequila, Tlaquepaque, & Tonalá
Latin dance lessons (2) with UAG dance instructor
Chartered bus from Guadalajara to México City, 3 nights hotel (double room), breakfast, one dinner, guided tours with entrance fees: National Palace, Templo Mayor, Metropolitan Cathedral, Chapultepec Castle, Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, Aztec city of Tenochtitlán

Note: itinerary and prices subject to change without notice in the event that we are subjected to cost increases.

Refund Policies

March 13 - All payments less $100 deposit for Continental Group Works
May 7 - All payments less cost of airline ticket
June 11 - All Program Cost payments less airline ticket and $100
No refunds after June 11

Key Dates

November 17 - LSC Study Abroad Scholarship application deadline
Jan 16 - $200 deposit to reserve place in program
March 1 -payment of $747.50
April 1 - payment of $747.50 with completed forms, copy of passport
April 15 - UAG receives admission and housing preference forms
May 7 - Passenger names confirmed with Continental Airlines
May 7 - mandatory orientation
June 2 - UAG assigns home-stay family contact, address, phone number
June 2 - start date for ENGL 1302 41105 and ENGL 2342 41101
June 8 - start date for SPAN 1411 and SPAN 1412 41401

Other Costs
Other expenses not covered above: LSC-Montgomery tuition (Study Abroad only), Spanish workbook ($15), Mexican cooking class (optional), laundry, restaurant meals, snacks, city bus fare ($.30), personal items, museum camera usage fee ($3), Tapatio double-decker city bus tour ($5).

Note: Participants will have photo ID taken for access to campus facilities: computer labs, library, swimming pool, gym; ID permits entrance to museums and sites at no charge.

Financial Aid
Lone Star College has needs-based scholarships for Study Abroad that may cover up to 75% of the cost. If you have not already applied for financial aid, go to http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Contacts

Payments/General Information
Matthew Olmstead
BELS Division Operations Manager
936-271-6180
E Building, E205M

Study Abroad Faculty Sponsors
David Zimmermann, Ph.D, Professor, English
Professor, Chair, ESOL/Languages, Speech,
Human Development
936-273-7267
E Bldg. E205

Norseman Hernandez, Spanish Professor
936-273-7298
F Bldg. F160C

Leisure Travel
Stephen Koszewski
Program Manager, Continuing Education
936.273.7435
A Bldg. A200N