Puebla, Mexico
USAC Program
Program Focus - Spanish, Engineering, and Latin American Studies
Students will study the Spanish language and the complexities of Mexican and indigenous societies through a wide selection of academic courses, as well as through personal interaction with the host culture.
Email Address - usac@unr.edu
Program Dates
USAC Enrollment Limit - 60 students
GPA Requirement - 2.5 (USAC), 2.75 (Loyola)
University Affiliation - Universidad Iberoamericana (5,500 students)
The Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA), first established in 1943 in Mexico City, was one of the first private institutions of higher education to be founded in Mexico and is widely regarded as one of Mexico's finest private universities, with six different campuses in the country. The Puebla campus of UIA was founded in 1983, and is one of more than a dozen higher education institutions in the city. The lovely and accessible Puebla campus is located only 15 minutes away from downtown and is served by a convenient bus service run by the university. While enrolled, USAC students enjoy the privileges accorded to local students at UIA. You are encouraged to participate in local university activities, student clubs, and organizations along with local students. A local university student will be available to become your conversation partner.
Puebla and Mexico - Mexico's history boasts a long line of advanced Indian civilizations whose accomplishments rival those of the Egyptians and Early Europeans. The majority of today's population is a mix of Spanish, Mayan, and Aztec heritage. This rich history is still evident in Mexico's language today as there are over one hundred Amerindian languages still spoken throughout Mexico, in addition to the official language of Spanish.
Puebla is centrally located in the heart of Mexico, between Mexico City and the Caribbean coast. Situated on a high plateau at an altitude of 7,000 feet; Puebla benefits from a temperate climate where temperatures range throughout the year between 50 and 80 degrees. Established in 1531, Puebla is one of the oldest colonial cities in the American continent. Just outside of town, remnants of its indigenous past still stand at Tepanapa Pyramid, one of the largest pre-Columbian structures in the Americas. Puebla is also famous as the site of the Mexican victory over the occupying French army on "Cinco de Mayo" in 1862.
With a population approaching 2 million, it holds the largest historical center of any city in Mexico, and was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its rich, well preserved, and plentiful Colonial architecture found within a 100-square block surrounding the city center. While known for its historical preservation, textiles, pottery and wonderful Mexican culinary traditions, Puebla is also developing an important industrial economic base. It is easily accessible as a result of an extensive network of highways.
Puebla's fascinating mix of indigenous and Spanish cultures is apparent throughout its many museums, monuments, churches and surrounding villages that reflect this unique blend.
Courses
Intensive Language Study
The intensive approach allows students to fulfill two years of university foreign language coursework in only one semester. Qualified student may meet Spanish minor or major requirements. The courses are grouped into tracks. Yearlong students completing Track I in the fall enroll in Track III in the spring; students of Tracks II and III move into advanced level courses. Track language courses are taught sequentially within one semester.
Track I- Prerequisite: none
Track II- Prerequisite: two semester of college Spanish
Track III- Prerequisite: four semesters of college Spanish
Track IV - Prerequisite: six semesters of college Spanish
Fall semester:
Spring semester:
* Only required courses in Track IV
Please see the "Electives" sections for additional course options. You may take elective courses taught in English or Spanish.
* Recommended classes are not required, they are essentially electives. You are not required to take electives, the only course you are required to take is a language track. You can enroll in up to 18 credits per semester. Electives and Recommended classes are used to fill up credit hours.
Electives - Students may also select elective courses.
Fall Semester:
Spring Semester:
Summer Courses
All of the summer language courses are intensive, with 3 to 4 credits of Spanish taught in each four-week session. This intensive approach allows students to complete a semester of university foreign language coursework in 4 weeks, or a year in 8 weeks. Students may also select additional elective courses for up to a total of 5 credits.
June and July Sessions -
Elementary Spanish I (4 credits, 100 level, no prerequisite)
Elementary Spanish II (4 credits, 100 level, prerequisite = one semester of college Spanish)
For a well rounded Spanish Language Curriculum, Spanish Conversation is highly recommended for those enrolled in the courses below.
Latin American Studies Option
Students have the choice of enrolling in one 3-credit course plus a combination of electives up to a total of 5 credits.
June Session -
Mexican Archeology: Art and Culture (3 credits, 200 level, taught in English)
July Session -
Sociology, Gender and Indigenous Beliefs in Mexican Cultures (3 credits, 300 level, taught in English)
Engineering Studies Option
Studying engineering in Puebla offers the opportunity to gain cultural awareness, develop professional skills in an international setting, and become bi-lingual by learning Spanish.
June Session -
Introduction to Network Analysis (3 credits, 200 level, taught in English) Physics for Engineers I (3 credits + 1 credit lab, 100/200 level, taught in English)
July Session -
Elements of Material Science (3 credits, 200 level, taught in English) Physics for Engineers II (3 credits + 1 credit lab, 100/200 level, taught in English)
Electives -
June Session -
Dances of Latin America (1 credit, 100 level, taught in Spanish, appropriate for everyone)
Introduction to Spanish Language I (1 credit, 100 level, for students not taking an intensive Spanish language course)
Latin America and its Cultures (1 credit, 200 level, taught in Spanish)
July Session -
Dances of Latin America (1 credit, 100 level, taught in Spanish, appropriate for everyone)
Introduction to Spanish Language I or II (1 credit, 100 level, for students not taking and intensive Spanish language course)
Latin American Social Revolutions (1 credit, 200 level, taught in Spanish)
* Academic courses are only a part of the value of summer abroad. Participation in formal and informal activities, such as field trips in and around Puebla, and visits to folklore events and village festivals constitute an integral part of the experience. Two daylong trips will be taken during each of the sessions. These excursions take place on Saturdays. Dates and destinations may change at the discretion of the director, and will include visits to extraordinary cultural sites. Transportation and meals are included.
Types of Accommodations
USAC has a network of housing possibilities for students. You may stay in a student residence hall or, if you prefer, USAC provides home stay opportunities. In both cases, facilities for meals, laundry and house keeping are available. You also have the option of having the housing coordinator (at no charge) locate your housing, or you may opt to locate your own housing upon arrival. If you opt to have the housing coordinator pre-arrange your housing, you are committed to it for a semester. When you apply for admission, USAC will send you a housing packet discussing your options in greater detail.
Program Tuition
2008-2009 - $3,980 per semester, $7,460 per year
Summer 2008 - $2,480 per session, $4,860 per both sessions
*Does not include room and board (except for homestay, which is included in the cost), airfare, and textbooks.
Loyola Fees
$1,000 for semester and full year programs
$500 for summer programs
Financial Aid Transfer - Federal Stafford Loan, Federal PLUS Loan, Alternative Loans, Federal Pell Grant, IL Monetary Award Program Grant (MAP)
