o learn more.If you have an interest in public policy, human rights, globalization, cultural studies, gender or family studies then you should consider participating in this program.
This program is a unique opportunity for two reasons. First, funding is
available for you -- up to $3,000 for a semester and $2,000 for the summer
institute. Second, because it is an exchange program, you may
receive UA credit for the classes you take while attending one of the
partner institutions. Read on to learn more.
There are two ways that you may participate in this student exchange program.
1. First there is a semester abroad program, in which you would study for a semester at one of four participating institutions in Canada or Mexico. You may also earn UA credit for the classes you take. All classes taken and passed abroad will transfer back to UA. These credits will then be applied to your UA degree requirements.
2. There is also a summer institute, which is a three-week intensive summer session with other students and faculty from Mexico, the U.S., and Canada. The next (and last) summer institute in 2007 will be held at Universidad de las Americas in Puebla, Mexico. To see pictures from the 2006 summer institute, click here.
To learn more about the semester abroad and summer institute options, click here.
Unlike most other student exchange programs, this program offers funding to study abroad. In addition, since it is a student exchange, you can earn UA credit while attending another university in Mexico or Canada.
Additionally, by participating in this program you will receive tremendous academic and professional rewards. This program allows you to take courses not offered at the University of Arizona, to network with activists and researchers in Canada and Mexico, and to further develop your understanding of human rights, globalization, cultural studies, gender and family studies through international experience.
Upper division undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in Women’s
or Gender Studies with a minimum 3.0 GPA (2.8 GPA considered) are encouraged to apply. For students
wishing to attend a Mexican university, an intermediate level Spanish (the
equivalent of 2-3 years of Spanish) is required.
What do I pay?
Because you would remain enrolled in the UA while becoming an exchange student, you would pay regular UA tuition and fees. If you have federal funding (e.g. a Stafford Student Loan) you may apply that aid. If you have other outside funding (e.g. a private scholarship) you may also apply that to your UA tuition and fees, upon approval from the private sponsor. Unfortunately, if you have any UA financial assistance (e.g. an in-state tuition waiver or teaching assistantship), you must defer your UA assistance until you return (but you don't have to forfeit it altogether). One of the benefits of this program is that you do not have to pay any additional tuition or fees to the host institution.
Students are responsible for their
travel and living costs, although funding is available to help cover these costs
(see below). Please contact the
program coordinator for more information on living expenses at the
specific host
institutions.
What funding is available to help me?
Two types of stipends are available to help you. The fist is a mobility stipend which applies to travel and living expenses — up to $3,000 for a semester abroad and $2,000 for the summer institutes. This stipend should cover the majority of your travel and living expenses. The second is a language training stipend, which helps covers up to $500 of tuition for intensive Spanish language training before your study in Mexico would begin. The language training stipend can be applied to any intensive Spanish language program. So, if you wanted to spend two weeks in Mexico at a private language school living with a family before your semester of study began, you could apply for the language training stipend. To learn more about language schools in Puebla, click here. We do not recommend any particular school.
Also, if you participate in this
exchange during the Fall or Spring semesters, you can apply for the
Travel Grant
(up to $1,000) through the Office of Study Abroad and Student exchange. For
further funding resources, check out the
Scholarship Database through the
Office of Study Abroad and Student Exchange.
You may pick up an application at the Women’s Studies office
at 1443 E. First Street (the Northwest corner of First and Vine) or by
downloading it here. The application
includes an short essay, two letters of recommendation, and your official
transcripts. You may apply at any time. Spring 2007 applications are
due September 15, 2006. Applications to the 2007 summer institute and for
the Fall semester of 2006 are due January 15, 2007.
Please email the program coordinator at:
lydiab@u.arizona.edu.