International Student Teaching in Mexico
Overview
A program agreement between the University of Guanajuato and UW-Whitewater’s College of Education and Professional Studies is set up to offer student teaching in the elementary grades in Guanajuato, a former colonial city in central Mexico. An additional agreement with Ollin Tlahtoalli: Centro de Lenguas y Cultura Mexicana in Oaxaca has been established for student teaching at the secondary level. The Oaxaca program also offers a 2-week cultural orientation to Oaxaca, including Spanish lessons. Both programs are open to Education students with at least intermediate proficiency in Spanish and are ideal for Education students in ESL, Bilingual Education and Spanish.
Accommodation
Housing arrangements in Guanajuato or Oaxaca are facilitated with the local program contact after UW-Whitewater students are accepted into the Student Teaching Mexico program. Housing arrangements are typically homestays with host families providing 2 or 3 meals daily and opportunities to speak Spanish.
Student Life and Surroundings
Both Guanajuato and Oaxaca are UNESCO World Heritage sites. Guanajuato, a city in central Mexico, is located in a narrow valley, which makes the city's streets narrow and winding. Most are alleys that cars cannot pass through, and some are long sets of stairs up the mountainsides. The streets and alleys of the city are filled with buildings from the colonial era, such as buildings, restaurants, bars, cafes, and small plazas. Guanajuato is the birthplace of the Mexican Revolution and hosts the Cervantino Festival, a premier arts and cultural festival. The University of Guanajuato, located in the historic city center, offers a wide variety of programs, including the teaching of Spanish as a second language and the teaching of English.
Oaxaca is best known for its indigenous peoples and languages, native cultures, and handicrafts. Most live in the Central Valley region, which is also an important area for tourism, attracting people for its archeological sites such as Monte Albán, Mitla, and Yagul. Another important tourist area is the coast, which has the major resort of Huatulco. Oaxaca is also one of the most biologically diverse states in Mexico, ranking in the top three, along with Chiapas and Veracruz, for numbers of reptiles, amphibians, mammals and plants.
Estimated Cost of Program
Program Fee |
$275 |
| Airfare |
$600 |
| Room and Board |
$2,500 |
| CISI Insurance |
$90 |
| Travel Documents |
$150 |
| Total Cost (estimated) |
$3,615* |
*
Personal expenses and recommended immunizations are not included in the estimated cost.
Passport and Visa Requirements
Students in this program are not required to obtain a Visa as they will be in Mexico for less than 180 days. However, they will need a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their departure date.
Payment
UW-W student teachers are billed to their student account for: mandatory UW System health insurance, UW System Contingency Fee, Application Fee and Housing*. Students pay separately for Flights a US Passport and Incidentals Obtaining a U.S. passport and the optional International Student ID card are the responsibility of the student teacher. Center for Global Education can assist student teachers with many of these items.
* Room and board fees may or may not be placed on the student account depending on the home stay.
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants
Eligible students are able to receive financial aid. Students will need to bring a budget sheet to an appointment with Financial Aid in order to determine financial need. Students can pick up a budget sheet for this program in the Center for Global Education.
To make an appointment with Financial Aid, call 262-472-1130
For information about study abroad scholarships, the Wisconsin State Grant for Study Abroad, and for deadlines and application procedures,
click here.
Program Requirements and Application Procedures
- This program is open to students pursuing licensure in English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Spanish or intermediate proficiency in Spanish.
- Fill and print out this form: Permission Form to ST Abroad 2-2023.docx. Follow the instructions exactly as noted on the Form!
- Schedule an appointment with Jenna Cushing-Leubner at cushingj@uww.edu.
- Schedule an appointment with Han Ngo, Center for Global Education, Tel. 262-472-5757, Email: ngoh@uww.edu
- Program participants must enroll in UW-W CIGENRL 470: Student Teaching for their student teaching semester.
- You must have a US passport to leave the USA. Apply now if you have not done so http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/apply.html
- Schedule a pre-departure orientation meeting with the UW-W Center for Global Education by calling 262-472-5757.
Student Teaching Assignment and Placement
Student teaching placements are in English as a foreign language or other content specialty areas at the primary school or high school level. Students typically complete eight weeks of student teaching in Mexico before completing nine weeks of student teaching in a Wisconsin school. Contact the Program Faculty Advisor (PFA) for more information about the placement process.
Key Dates
| Term |
Application Date |
Term Dates |
| Fall Semester |
March 1 |
Early September - Early October |
| Spring Semester |
October 1 |
Mid-January - Mid March |
*Students who intend to participate in this program must notify Dr. Cushing-Leubner at
cushingj@uww.edu before applying.
Contacts
UW-W Faculty Advisor
Jenna Cushing-Leubner
Curriculum and Instruction
Office: Winther 3039
Tel: 262-472-2198
Email:
cushingj@uww.edu
Global Experiences Coordinator
Han Ngo
Office: 205 McCutchan Hall
Tel: 262-472-5757 (direct)
262-472-5759 (appointments)
Email:
ngoh@uww.edu
Center for Global Education
Student Diversity, Engagement & Success
