Language, Art & Culture: Mexico Mayterm
Do you crave an immersive, life-changing experience in another culture but can’t get away for an entire semester? Would you like to become more proficient in Spanish and complete a Spanish minor, but can’t seem to make it work on campus? Does a Mayterm abroad seem appealing to you, but you can’t afford the high cost of so many programs? If so, Mayterm in Mexico may be perfect for you!
The program begins online (May 11-14) giving you time to return home and pack and get ready for Mexico. From Tuesday through Friday you will learn the basics of culture and intercultural communication so that you will be better prepared for your time abroad.
Starting on May 16, you will spend 6 weeks in the beautiful, colonial city of Querétaro—one of Mexico’s cleanest, safest, and most picturesque cities. It is blessed with rich resources in art, music, literature, drama, and colonial architecture. In recognition of its historical importance and cultural treasures, the United Nations has designated Querétaro as a world heritage site.
During the Mayterm you will live with a carefully chosen Mexican family. You will be informed of your placement in the spring, and will even have an opportunity to correspond and get to know your family before the program begins. Care is taken to group students in neighborhoods close to each other. All participants will have their own bedroom, meals with the family, and laundry service. The families are eager to incorporate you into their daily lives - to treat you like their hija o hijo - and students consistently report that the homestay was one of the most rewarding aspects of their experience abroad.
In week 1 we will visit the picturesque town of Bernal and climb partially up the Peña de Bernal, one of the world’s largest monoliths.
In week 3 we will travel to the Sierra Gorda biosphere where we will enjoy the beauty of nature and engage in several hikes.
Here you will experience the grandeur of Mexico’s indigenous past
Near the end of the semester we will travel to the spectacular metropolis of Mexico City where you will climb the Latin American tower, visit the Museum of Anthropology (the largest such museum in the world), and visit the Frida Kahlo house, among other sites.
The program will end with a final despedida, or farewell meal and fiesta with all the host families and professors.
Mayterm in Mexico (MiM) is an intensive 7-week program based in Querétaro, Mexico, that gives you the opportunity to experience the language, art, and culture of Mexico. Open to all majors and class levels, the program offers a true immersive experience for you to gain greater proficiency in Spanish as you live with host families and take courses with Mexican professors. Excursions to the Peña de Bernal, the Sierra Gorda biosphere reserve, the pyramids of Teotihuacan, and Mexico City will expose you to the rich diversity of our southern neighbor. Optional activities may include attending a professional soccer game, concerts, and cultural events; workshops on Mexico art, photography, ceramics and Latin dance; and special talks on Mexican art, history, politics, and healthcare. Additionally, as you are rooted in one city—a UNESCO World Heritage Site—you will have time to explore your community, engage with locals, attend church and cultural events, and volunteer with local organizations. Finally, a bonus of the program is that you can fulfill 6 GEs and return with 8 units toward a Spanish major or minor, giving you a lot of bang for your buck!
- Open to all class levels and majors
- Minimum GPA of 2.3 and no student life sanctions
- Application essays, faculty & personal recommendations, team interviews
In addition to the general qualifications above, the following requirements must be met in order to successfully participate in this program. All participants must:
- Have some basic knowledge of Spanish, ideally two 2 semesters of college Spanish or the equivalent (e.g., 3 years of high school Spanish), though exceptions can be made.
- Be physically able to walk 3-5 miles daily, and up to 10 miles daily on excursions.
- Be emotionally ready to live with a host family and to only speak in Spanish
All students are required to take the core 3-unit course, Engaging Cultures, and the 1-unit PEA course. You may then choose one of the Spanish classes at your level (SP 3 or SP 123). All courses have been approved for the Spanish major and minor.
- IS 193-M: Engaging Cultures (3 units). GEs: Thinking Globally & JRD (Justice, Reconciliation, and Diversity on Biblical and Theological Grounds); Graduation Requirement: Compassionate Action. The overarching goal of this course is to help you get the most out of your abroad experience by preparing you for it intellectually, culturally, emotionally, and spiritually. Readings, reflections, excursions, and experiential activities will be a regular part of this course. This course is taught in English by Dr. Docter and all readings and essays are in English.
- PEA: “Moving Through Mexico” (1 unit). GE: Physical Education Activity. Students receive 1 PEA unit through their regular walking activities in Querétaro and Mexico City, as well as participation in a half-day hike up the Peña de Bernal and several hikes in the Sierra Gorda biosphere reserve, including a half-day river walking trek along the Río Escanela, a trail hike to Chuveje Waterfall, and a nature walk in Pinal de Amoles.
- SP 003: Intermediate Spanish (4 units). GEs: Modern/Foreign Language & Oral Communication. Taught entirely in Spanish by acclaimed Mexican professor Bertha Macías, this course is a continuation of SP 2 (introductory Spanish) and will refine your listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. Many experiential activities (e.g., interviews with your host family, visits to the Mercado, etc.) are a regular part of this course.
- SP 123: Seminar in Spanish (4 units). GEs: Modern/Foreign Language & Oral Communication. Taught entirely in Spanish, this course will delve more deeply into Spanish grammar and vocabulary and will include regular essays, readings, and oral presentations.
- SP 190: Spanish Internship (1 unit). SP 190 is available only to advanced students and with instructor approval. Your internship may involve working in a hospital or clinic, social service agency, school, or business. Students must complete 36 hours on-site (per unit), and complete a vocabulary journal and regular written reflections.
Approximately $6,500, which includes tuition, room, full board, in-country travel, entrance fees, and tours.
Meet the Team
Dr. Mary Docter received her PhD in Hispanic Languages and Literature from UCLA and has been teaching at Westmont for over 30 years. She has traveled extensively throughout Spain and Latin America and is co-founder of the semester-long Westmont in Mexico program. She has extensive experience leading off campus programs in Mexico, through which she has developed strong relationships with faculty and staff in Querétaro. She is very excited to introduce you to a country she loves!