¡Vamos a México!
Spanish language & Mexican culture Study Tour 2007
The Program | Dates | Unit of Study | The Three Program Options | About Monterrey, Mexico | Travel Arrangements | Approximate Costs | Pre-departure Orientation Sessions | Application Procedure
 The Program
 Swinburne has an exciting opportunity for students of all disciplines during 2007. Vamos a México is a 4-week overseas program giving you the opportunity to study a subject to go towards your degree as credit. This is a chance to fast-track your degree by one unit, as well as experience the amazing destination of Mexico.
Students will participate in the International Summer Program run by Swinburne's partner institution, Universidad de Monterrey. The Program focuses on Spanish Language and Mexican Culture studies.
 Learn Spanish or improve your language skills (basic, intermediate and advanced levels of Spanish offered as a foreign language, of 48 contact hours).
Learn about Mexican culture with three different cultural program options: 24 contact hours and 24 hours of practical learning.
Have a first contact with Mexicans, their culture, traditions, and ways of doing business.
Dates
 The Vamos a México program is held June 23 to July 20, during the break between semesters at Swinburne. Students will begin with an Orientation program at Universidad de Monterrey, then will undertake classes on weekdays in the morning, and will enjoy extra-curricular activities in the afternoons and weekends.
Unit of Study
Students will study the equivalent of one regular Swinburne units, or 12.5 SUT credit points.
Studies undertaken are:
1. Intensive Spanish (multiple levels)
2. Mexican Culture - choice of options
Students can receive credit towards their degree by taking the unit as electives, or have the unit credited as a specific exemption. All students require approval from their Faculty that these units fit into their degree, and will be granted credit, by submitting a signed ' Proposed Study Plan ' form with their application.
The Three Program Options:
1. 'Spanish language' unit, and culture: 'Volunteering' - including field trips within Monterrey (Museums, brewing company, horse tail waterfalls), and two long weekends in a community in need, outside Monterrey. Students will know first hand how people in less advantaged communities live, and will lend a hand to make these people's lives a little better.
2. 'Spanish language' unit, and culture: 'Extreme Sports' - including field trips within Monterrey as above, and two long weekends in places where students will undertake extreme sport: rappelling, climbing, skiing, canoeing, and so forth.
3. 'Spanish language' unit, and culture: 'Exploring Mexico' - including field trips within Monterrey, and two long weekend in tourist destinations in Mexico, such as Catemaco, Veracruz, and Real de 14 (colonial and historic city) where students will be able to discover more about aspects of Mexican culture.
About Monterrey, Mexico
 The Universidad de Monterrey is located in the community of San Pedro Garza Garcia, in the metropolitan area of the city of Monterrey (population 3.5 million), capital of the state of Nuevo León. The city is situated in a valley, surrounded by four main mountains: the Cerro de la Silla (Saddle Mountain, the symbol of the city), the Cerro de las Mitras, the Sierra Madre Oriental, and the Cerro del Topo Chico. The city of Monterrey is an important industrial zone of Mexico, and English is widely spoken along-side the 1st language of Spanish, because of the proximity to USA. Monterrey is also considered as a safe city, and is a great springboard to enjoy sightseeing and travel opportunities throughout Mexico and Latin America.
Travel Arrangements
Travel arrangements are being coordinated by the Education Abroad Office through Kistend Travel and our partner university Universidad de Monterrey.
All students participating in the program, must stay in the organised group accommodation for the duration of the program.
Approximate Costs
 1. 'Spanish language' and culture: 'Volunteering' $4000
2. 'Spanish language' and culture: 'Extreme Sports' $4700
3. 'Spanish language' and culture: 'Exploring Mexico' $4700
Includes:
Return economy airfare, arranged as a group traveling on same dates: Melb/Monterrey/Melb
Airport taxes
Accommodation in Monterrey
Program Fee and inclusions
Tours in and around Monterrey
Travel Insurance (Proof of travel insurance is required prior to departure)
This does not include the following costs:
HECS fees for unit taken as credit
Majority of meals
Personal spending money
Transfers, public transport
Books and study material
Pre-departure Orientation Session
A pre-departure Orientation Session will be held for students in late May and will include an overview of:
Destination - Mexico
What to expect
What is expected of you
Itinerary details
Parents are encouraged to attend this session.
Application Procedures
Contact the Education Abroad Office.
To get approval for the units taken to be credited towards your degree as electives, you need to discuss your degree plan with your Faculty advisor to ensure this fits into your program.
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