Duke in Mexico
May 21 to July 2, 2010*
* Please see the Program Schedule webpage for a more detailed itinerary, including information regarding travel to and from the program site.
Duke in Mexico offers two intensive Spanish courses at the Universidad de las Américas (UDLA) under the direction of Professor Joan Munne of the Spanish Language Program at Duke. This is an opportunity for students to become immersed in Mexican culture for six weeks while studying elementary or intermediate Spanish. After successful completion of the program, students will receive two course credits for this summer program in Mexico.
The UDLA campus is located in Cholula, which is one of the oldest continuously-occupied cities in this hemisphere. In this town stands the great Pyramid of Cholula, considered to be one of the largest in volume in the world. The neighboring city and state capital, Puebla de los Ángeles, is only 70 miles away from Mexico City. This colonial city was founded in 1531 and is known for its architecture and regional cuisine, especially the mole poblano (a spicy chocolate sauce). This region enjoys year-round spring-like weather.
The Intensive Spanish Institute began in summer 2002 on the Duke campus, and has now been established on a permanent basis in Mexico. This program’s format assists a wide variety of students by offering elementary Spanish language courses previously not available for study abroad. Material covered in Spanish 1 and 2 is combined in the first course, Spanish 13. The second course, Spanish 16, offers intensive intermediate material covered on campus in Spanish 63 and 76. Mastery of the coursework will be facilitated by increased exposure to Hispanic culture and language through local mass media, native speakers, and immersion into Mexican society.
In order to experience first-hand the diversity of Mexican culture, geography, art, and indigenous peoples, the Intensive Spanish Institutes will go on various excursions. In Mexico City you will go on guided tours of the National Anthropology Museum, the Zócalo, and the Palacio Nacional. You will also visit Teotihuacán, the pre-Columbian ruins of the City of the Gods. Enjoy the mountains in Oaxaca, and in Taxco, roam the famous silver markets.
STUDENT VOICES
-- Jerald Prince, Duke University - Summer 2008
