Spanish language in Merida, Mexico

Various levels of Spanish language instruction will be offered in Merida, a town in the Yucatan state of Mexico. Students will be fully immersed in the language in homestays with local families. The exposure they gain to the language will be complemented with Spanish instruction presented by USF Saint Petersburg professor Dr. Hidalgo, and by instructors at the local university, Universidad Marista.

Dates
The program will run from May 11 to June 7, 2008.

Program highlights
This 6 credit course will take place in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.  You will spend four weeks in immersed in Spanish language and local culture. You will study at the Universidad Marista and live with local families.

Local attractions include the colonial part of the city of Merida, the city's cathedral which is the oldest in the Americas, extraordinary Mayan ruins, colonial haciendas, and beautiful beaches.

This is an excellent opportunity for you to improve your language skills and to learn about another culture, while discovering a new country and its people. The price, which includes 6 undergraduate credits, makes this opportunity as accessible as possible.

Cost $2,225

Cost includes

• Accommodation in Merida.
• Most meals.
• Instruction, including USF instructional fee for up to 5 undergraduate credits. Students will register for Spanish courses that are appropriate to their competence level.

Cost does not include

• Some meals. Estimated cost is $200.
• Personal Spending. Estimated cost is $300.
• Airfare to Merida. Estimated cost is $500. Students will be expected to arrive in Merida at a specific time to meet their host families.

Payment Schedule
$300 nonrefundable deposit due one week after your application is approved.
$1,925 balance, due no later than April 15, 2008.

How to Apply
There is limited space on this program, and those who apply before December 13, 2007 will be given priority. We will consider all applications received before February 29, 2008.

Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to pay your deposit. Deposits are nonrefundable and are due one week after your application is approved.

The final payment is due by April 15. If you do not pay on time, we may choose to remove you from the course.

•   Study Abroad Application
•   Student Contract
•   Liability Waiver
•   Medical Questionnaire

Financial Aid and Scholarships
Students may apply for Federal or State Financial Aid for this USFSP course. A number of $500 scholarships are available from the Office of International Affairs. Contact International Affairs for details.

Academic Credit
Students must register for courses with USFSP International Affairs Office. Students may register for up to six credits of Spanish language instruction. Course placement is at the discretion of Dr. Hidalgo.

Eligibility
Students need not be USF students to attend the course. Students must be at least 18 years old, and must have taken the equivalent of two semesters.

Program Schedule
A pre-departure orientation and several classes will be held at USFSP before departure. Organized visits are planned that are a compulsory part of the course.

Travel
Students making their own travel arrangements must arrive at the starting point at the designated time on the designated date. All students must provide their flight itinerary to International Affairs before departure. One specific outbound flight is strongly recommended.
Each participant must have a valid passport. It is the student's responsibility to obtain any necessary visas. Students who are not U.S. citizens are welcome to sign up; however, they must have a valid passport, and are responsible for researching whether their visa requirements are different from those for U.S. citizens. In addition, they are responsible for making sure that are eligible to reenter the U.S. after the trip.

Insurance
The State of Florida requires that all students studying abroad maintain adequate medical insurance for illness and injury. Students must show proof of health insurance coverage that is also valid outside the United States. USFSP provides all students with emergency medical evacuation coverage.

All participants are responsible for obtaining and carefully reviewing the USFSP Study Abroad General Information Sheet.