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Is this program right for you?

This program is designed to provide students with an intellectually rigorous experience that offers both direct enrollment options alongside Mexican students and specially-designed CIEE courses, which lend themselves to a better understanding of the complexities of contemporary Mexican life.

Program Snapshot

  • Prepare for a challenging academic experience through a two-week pre-session dedicated to intensive Spanish language study and reflection on Mexican culture
  • Enroll in courses alongside Mexican students at the local university
  • Take specially designed, socially oriented CIEE courses in revolution, migration, literature, and language
  • Explore the charming and vibrant colonial city of Guanajuato, with its many galleries, alleyways, and cafés—and come to know local life through a homestay

Subject Areas

  • Art History
  • Art Theory
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Mexican Studies
  • Spanish Language
  • Studio Art

About Guanajuato

The CIEE Study Center at the Universidad de Guanajuato is located in the colonial city of Guanajuato, about four hours north of Mexico City. Nestled in a wrinkled valley, Guanajuato boasts a spectacularly colorful and gravity-defying architecture. With a population of 75,000, Guanajuato remains a conservative and provincial city; however, it is intellectually richer and more diverse than one might expect, thanks in large part to the vibrant presence of the Universidad de Guanajuato.

Where You'll Study

Universidad de Guanajuato

Founded in 1732, the Universidad de Guanajuato (UG) ranks among the top institutions of higher education in Mexico. Currently there are 21,000 students; 8,000 of whom are pursuing undergraduate degrees in 46 disciplines. With the University’s facilities scattered around Guanajuato, its intellectual and cultural energy is felt throughout the community.

Thoughts From Abroad

Guanajuato is intensely beautiful, academic, and professional. This is middle-class Mexico—important to recognize, especially considering that the American media only shows Mexico’s excessive riches and devastating poverty. Yes, just over the hills of this idyllic city lie impoverished communities of the elderly, women, and children left behind as young people migrate to the U.S. Yes, Central American refugees dangle off the backs of trains cutting across the highway between León and Guanajuato, speeding to the U.S. border. Yes, even in the city, not all children have access to the resources they need. Yes, quaint and tranquilo, Guanajuato is not immune from the many social problems faced by the rest of the country. So how does one embrace both of these entangled realities? How do we acknowledge this beautiful, prosperous, little city that makes up the unknown part of the Mexico never represented in the media, while still remaining concerned for what lies just beyond our view? How do we read this situation and how do we write about it? How do we work our way through these contradictions? How can we best act?

This program helps students answer these questions by offering a unique curriculum of courses in literature, history, and the arts through direct enrollment at the Universidad de Guanajuato, and in migration, revolution, and community-based Spanish through specialized CIEE courses.

— Karen Rodríguez, Resident Director

Staff Bios

Dr. Karen Rodríguez, Resident Director, has directed study abroad programs in Latin America since 1997. She has taught undergraduate courses for study abroad students in Mexico and Venezuela and has been a faculty member at Bard College’s Language and Thinking Institute and Upward Bound’s summer institute at Georgetown University. Dr. Rodriguez received her Ph.D. in Cultural Studies from the University of Kent. Her research interests include critical theory, psychoanalysis, and the intersections between writing, culture, and subjectivity. Her graduate studies are in Cultural Studies, Applied Anthropology, and Latin American Studies.

Eduardo Rodríguez has worked for more than a decade in the field of international education. He handles finance and logistics, plans and leads study trips, and provides daily assistance. He is heavily involved in community service and directs the Center’s Jornadas de servicio.

Recommended Credit

semester: 15-20 semester/22.5-30 quarter hours
academic year: 30-40 semester/45-60 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

Program Dates

Fall 20097/10/2009 - 12/10/2009
Academic Year 2009-107/10/2009 - 6/19/2010
Spring 20101/2/2010 - 6/19/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201011/1/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200918 weeks
mid-July–early December
Academic Year 2009-1046 weeks
early August–mid-June
Spring 201017 weeks
early January - late May

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $10,750
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$7,626
    Housing and Meals$3,050
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$10,750

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$100
    Local Visa Fee$150
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$850
    Personal Expenses$750
    Total$1,950


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $19,350
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$13,176
    Housing and Meals$6,100
    Medical Insurance$74
    Total$19,350

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on US East Coast departure)$850
    Personal Expenses$1,500
    Books and Supplies$200
    Local Transportation$200
    Local Visa Fee$150
    Total$2,900


  • Spring 2010 $10,900
    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$6,626
    Medical Insurance$74
    Housing and Meals$4,200
    Total$10,900

    The CIEE fee includes tuition, optional on-site airport meet and greet, housing, all meals, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, access to the university’s unique self-access language learning center, comprehensive student handbook, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$850
    Personal Expenses$900
    Books and Supplies$100
    Local Transportation$100
    Local Entrance Fee$50
    Total$2,000


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.