Study Abroad
Mexico
Puebla Internship Program
|
ATTENTION SPANISH MAJOR AND MINOR STUDENTS: The Department of Modern Languages requires SPA 303 and SPA 304 be taken at UW-L prior to studying abroad.
A student pursuing a major or a minor
in Spanish at |
PUEBLA INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Puebla Internship Program is a unique opportunity to
immerse oneself in the Spanish language and experience Mexican culture.
Designed as a capstone experience, this program was originally designed
for Spanish and Spanish Education majors intent on receiving a
significant work/teaching experience while improving their Spanish
language skills. It has been expanded to include students from other
areas of the university (Business and Marketing, Social Work and
Criminal Justice, Political Science, Archaeology and Anthropology, etc.)
who have studied Spanish through at least Intermediate Spanish (SPA
303/304) or who are native speakers of the language.
PUEBLA
Known as “the city of tiles,” Puebla is
Mexico’s sixth largest city with more than a million inhabitants. At an
altitude of 7050 feet, Puebla has a unique climate. From late April
until early November afternoon showers are common, but the days are
always warm and the nights cool. It is located near the snow-capped
mountain known as “Popocatepetl” which means “the Kneeling Warrior.” The
Puebla region is an important anthropological and historical repository.
Here, the battle of Cinco de Mayo was fought against the French. It is a
town of quaint charm, and hidden convents with Spanish-style patios,
flowery arches and “cantera” fountains. A short distance from Puebla is
the city of Cholula, famed for its pyramids and many churches.
| Memo
on Mexican Safety February 2013 Puebla Mexico Dr. David L. Brye Hola potential Mexico traveler, I am responding to a request for information on safety in Mexico. The U.S. State Department issued its most recent Mexico Travel Warning on November 20, 2012. This warning is strongly worded about travel in border areas and some states of Mexico—mainly in the north and west of the country—where narco (drug) activity is greatest. However, the warning also points to a number of Mexican states where they offer no negative travel advisory. These include Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Oaxaxa, Chiapas, Tlaxcala and Mexico City. Puebla is also one of those states with no negative advisory. An independent analysis by RRS y Asociados, (www.prominix.com) based on 2011 data, bears out this report. On almost every crime figure – homicide, kidnapping, extortion, assault, rape—Puebla is in the lowest group of Mexican states—sometimes below figures for the U.S. or Canada. As a 30 year resident of Mexico—the past 16 of those in the city of Puebla I heartily agree with these analyses. I read/scan five Mexican newspapers almost every day plus the Mexico City News in English. Four of these are from Mexico City, two from the city of Puebla. I also talk to other Americans as well as Mexican friends. My observations are as follows: Puebla city and state: I have seen no reports of tourists being attacked in a violent manner for the last several years. I'm sure there have been robberies affecting tourists—there always are in any big city. On rare occasions, local city buses are stopped and drivers/passengers robbed. This has never happened to any of my students nor to friends of mine nor to the young people who live in my apartment and frequently use public transportation. I just polled them all—neither they nor their classmates/work colleagues have ever had this experience. It very seldom happens on the express buses between Mexico City and Puebla and almost never on those between Puebla and Cuetzalan. Cuetzalan: This small city (more like a small town in the U.S.) is in a tranquil area of the state. Any violence is apt to be between two friends drinking too much in a local cantina. Again, I've had no reports of any tourist (the area is a popular weekend tourist destination) being physically attacked or even robbed over the 25+ years I've been going there. Mexico City: It is surprising to me that there is very little narco-related activity in one of the largest cities in the world. Obviously, any large city can be a dangerous place. I would not wander around Chicago—or even parts of Minneapolis-St. Paul or Milwaukee at night. The same applies to Mexico City. Resort areas: Acapulco has become increasingly dangerous in part because it is in Guerrero, one of the areas involved in the narcotics trade. Where there are many tourists, especially some careless ones, there will be people ready to prey on them. The recent incident of rape of seven Spanish tourists in an isolated beach near Acapulco is terrible but also extremely unusual. Drug traffic related deaths: The great majority (80%?) of the violent deaths are related to wars between rival drug gangs. Even many of the police killed are the result of their working for a rival gang. Again, these are mainly in the border area and in states in the north and west of Mexico. Almost none have been reported from the state of Puebla. And even in dangerous areas only a small percentage affect innocent passersby. Kidnapping ("secuestros") for ransom: These can happen especially in cities. They usually involve Mexican businessmen and other Mexicans with money. Tourists are very seldom affected as this would bring the intervention of a foreign government and more effort to catch the kidnapping gang. Child stealing—other than kidnapping for ransom: Blond haired and other U.S./European tourists are not a likely target because they would be much more difficult to hide—and, again, would attract much more government action. This is a prominent fear for families in poor communities—including those in the Cuetzalan area—though I've not heard of anyone actually losing their child. Violent actions, major robberies and rape, while not that common, are more likely to happen to students and others who go out late at night, drink heavily and go off by themselves. My recommendations:
I hope this has been of some assistance. Again, I think the State Department warning and scare stories have done a disservice to many areas of Mexico. I grew up in rural Wisconsin where fear of large cities like Chicago and New York were common. And when I left for the Boston area to go to graduate school, some family members were worried about my safe return. Travel anywhere always increases risks as you are on unfamiliar ground. However, the programs I work with and the areas I take students and others are not much more risky than travel in the U.S. I have attached statistics on homicides – especially narco-related—for different areas in Mexico. These are mainly for 2011 as figure for 2012 are still incomplete.
Data for the first eight months of 2012 reveal only slight changes with Mexico’s homicide rate per 100,000 at 12.5, Chihuahua at 45, Guerrero at 44, Puebla at 7.6, the DF at 5.8 and Tlaxcala at 2.7. Multiply by 1.5 to get the annual rate. By the way, this compares with homicide rates of 71 for El Salvador, 52 for Guatemala, 34 for Belize, 22 for Brazil – and 58 for New Orleans! |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The internship in Puebla will be for five
weeks—with a weekly seminar—offering the Mexican Civilization course as
well as the Current Events course. However, both courses will include an
assignment for the final four weeks in the Nahua village described
below.
The last four weeks of the program will be spent in Cuetzalan in the Sierra Norte of the state of Puebla. Located in the midst of beautiful mountain and surrounded by Nahua indigenous villages, Cuetzalan is a picturesque county seat of about 30,000 in habitants.
Participants in the program will be housed in a hotel run by a cooperative of indigenous women. They will be teaching ETL (English as a Third Language) to young people in San Miguel Tzinacapan. In San Miguel, Nahuatl is the language of the home, Spanish is learned as children enter primary school. In addition to teaching English four hours a day, students will be able to enter into the life of the village, getting to know the people, eating in their homes and sharing their lives. It is possible to receive ESL credit for this part of the program.
Advanced Spanish Language Courses (3-4 credits)
- Mexican Civilization (taught in Spanish) 3 credits
- Current Events 1 credit
Practical Work/Classroom Experience/Internship (2-3 credits)
- SPA 450 International Internship in Spanish 2-3 credits
- C-I 445 Refining Teaching Skills/Level III Clinical Experience 3 credits
- INS 450 International Internship 3 credits
- Department 450 Internship
Check out this summer's tentative schedule!
A Modern Languages Advisor for the Puebla program has been identified:
|
Program |
Advisor |
Office |
|
|
Puebla, Mexico |
Hindson |
311B GMH |
COURSE EQUIVALENCIES
The
course equivalencies
spreadsheets have been compiled from
past approved Academic Plan forms.
They show when the course was last approved and
how it transferred back to La Crosse. You may notice that
some classes satisfied several UWL options.
This list is not comprehensive nor does it take the place of meeting with your advisor for final approval!
They are meant to be a guide of what courses may be appropriate for your studies abroad.
DIRECTOR AND FACULTY
David Brye, Director of the Puebla
Teachers’ Internship Program, has lived and worked in Mexico since 1981.
He has taught at the University of the Americas-Puebla, the University
of Monterrey, and the Institituto Tecnologico de Monterrey (ITESM).
Before relocating to Mexico, he received his M.A. and Ph.D. in History
from Harvard University and taught at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa,
for 16 years. He has created and directed many programs in Mexico over
the last dozen years.
The faculty for the program will be chosen from Puebla universities and language schools. Most will have Ph.D.’s or Master’s in their fields. The language teachers will be native speakers of English.
HOUSING AND MEALS
Students in the program will be housed with
middle class families who are experienced in working with international
programs. Normally, only one student is placed with each family to allow
for maximum exposure to the language and culture.
PASSPORTS & VISAS
Before you travel abroad, you will need
to obtain a passport, which will serve as proof of your U.S.
citizenship. A passport may allow you to gain entry to (and exit from)
other countries. Depending on the country to which you're traveling, a
visa may be required as well.
Entry requirements vary from one country to another. The U.S. State
Department issues
travel warnings specific to certain countries, and offers
tips and publications relevant to travel abroad generally. Well in
advance of your departure, you should also familiarize yourself with
international travel health issues, and health recommendations
specific to your destination.
PROGRAM FEE
The program fee includes the following:
- Tuition (6-7 credits)
- University and Administrative Fees
- Homestay with meals, hotel, and meals on field trips
- Ground Transportation from Mexico City to Puebla upon arrival
- Visit to Cuetzalan and San Miguel Tzinacapan (an indigenous village)
- Study Abroad Health Insurance (mandated by UW System)
- International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
- Study Abroad Graduation Sash
All program fees subject to change. Valid for undergraduate Wisconsin residents only; out-of-state students pay Minnesota reciprocity or a non-resident surcharge.
Airfare is not included in the program fee.
Financial aid is applicable.
Refer to
Program Fees for the most current program fee.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
- 2.5 minimum GPA
- The desire to experience the world and receive academic credit for doing it!
ORIENTATION
All students will be required to attend a
pre-departure orientation. The orientation will help you prepare for
international travel in general, and for the experience of visiting
Mexico. Program alumni will be on hand to answer your questions.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Dr. Brye's Memo on Mexican
Safety
Tips and Advice from Program Alumni
● Back ● Apply! ● Fees ● Dates ● Alumni Comments
● Study Abroad Homepage ● OIE Homepage
Office of
International Education
1209 Centennial Hall
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse
1725 State Street
La Crosse, WI 54601 USA
| Telephone: 608-785-8016 | Fax: 608-785-8923 | E-Mail: studyabroad@uwlax.edu |