Wheaton in Mexico

Wheaton in Mexico is a 17-week semester program that combines language study and practice, interdisciplinary courses, cultural immersion, and academic excursions. You will have a unique opportunity to live in and learn about the cultures, languages, and peoples of Mexico.

With a population of 129 million, Mexico accounts for 25% of the world’s Spanish speakers and is the country of origin for 64% of the 55 million Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States. Students will live with host families in the city of Querétaro and will have opportunities to travel to other regions of the country, including Mexico City, Oaxaca, Guanajuato, Puebla, and the ecologically diverse Sierra Gorda. In order to maximize learning opportunities, space will be limited.

Location: About Querétaro

Querétaro, with a population of over one million people, is a beautiful colonial city in central Mexico, three hours by bus from Mexico City. Founded in 1531, the city’s historic center was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1996. It is one of Mexico’s most prosperous cities and is a site for major international companies. Home to over twenty universities and seven research centers, Querétaro has a vibrant intellectual community, cultural scene and excellent medical services. Located at 5,970 feet above sea level, the city has a sunny, semi-arid climate with daily temperatures averaging 66° from January to May. A city with a rich religious heritage, Querétaro has a strong Catholic church and an active Protestant presence.

Living Arrangements

Students will live with Mexican families in Querétaro. Host families live within walking distance of the historic city center and the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro. Students can walk to classes or utilize the efficient public transportation system.

Courses 

Students will earn up to 18 credit hours toward the Spanish major or minor. Several courses may also fulfill elective or major requirements from other departments. Most courses will be taught in collaboration with local university professors, and language and literature courses will be offered at a local university. This program fulfills the study abroad requirement for the Spanish major at Wheaton College.

Students will complete 12 hours from the following required courses (availability of non-required courses dependent on enrollment):

• SPAN 338 Intensive Advanced Spanish (4 hrs)
• GPS   321 Engaging Mexican Cultures (4 hrs) (meets Social Inquiry CATC tag)
• GPS   302 Exploring Mexican History (4 hrs) (meets Historical Perspectives CATC tag)

Students will complete 4-6 hours from the following interdisciplinary courses:

• GPS 301 Survey of Mexican Art (2 hrs) (meets Visual Arts CATC tag)
• SPAN 332 Spanish Grammar and Composition (4 hrs) (meets Literary Expressions and Global Perspectives CATC tag)
• SPAN 337 Survey of Latin American Literature (4 hrs) (meets Literary Expressions and Global Perspectives CATC tag)
• SPAN 489 Topics in Mexican Literature (4 hrs) (meets Literary Expressions and Global Perspectives CATC tag)
• SPAN 489 Topics in Mexican-United States Relations (2 hrs) (meets Literary Expressions and Global Perspectives CATC tag)

Requirements

Students must complete Spanish 201 (or meet Spanish competency equivalent) to participate in the program. Students are encouraged to take Spanish 331 or Spanish 332 prior to the program. All program participants are required to enroll in GPS 231 (2hrs), “Orientation to Study Abroad - Wheaton in Mexico” offered Fall 2019 (B quad) as preparation for the program.

Apply for Wheaton in Mexico

For additional information, please contact the Faculty Program Director:

Tim Klingler
Associate Lecturer of Spanish
Director Wheaton in Mexico
Department of Modern and Classical Languages
timothy.klingler@wheaton.edu