Location | Academics | Housing | Dates/Deadlines | Program Costs | Eligibility/How To Apply

CWU Biology and Spanish in Mexico, Mexico - Academic Year Programs

" I don't know that just a few sentences can adequately describe how truly wonderful the experience was. This program was an immensely rewarding experience for me, both intellectually and emotionally. The cultural immersion was spectacular and living with the host families was so much fun. First, the time in Morelia taking classes and just absorbing everything about that place, then, the work at the Chamela field station to complete the package. The whole experience taught me a great deal about myself, who I wanted to be personally and helped me solidify my educational and career paths. The work in this program was exciting, rewarding and adventurous; and confirmed for me that I wanted to always have that kind of experience in my work. Since graduating from CWU, I have continued in field research and to this day, in all of my different research trips, nothing has yet compared. " -- C. Tribuzio

Click here for more student testimonials!

Click here to see a slide presentation on the Biology in Mexico field school!

Program Overview

Central Washington University, in conjunction with the Universidad Latina de America (UNLA), and other Mexican partners is offering a 6 week international program in Morelia, México consisting of Biology and intensive Spanish, followed by a three-week research program at a biological station in Jalisco México. Various field trips and cultural activities will be offered during our stay in México. This 10-week program in a unique opportunity to conduct field work in an international setting alongside expert faculty from the US and México. After an introduction to the Estacíon de Biología in Chamela, Jalisco, the group will spend six weeks in colonial Morelia, Michoacan learning Spanish, living with host families, and participating in Biology lectures and field trips. For the last two+ weeks, participants will return to Estacíon de Biología, Chamela, where they will finish conducting research projects and work with Mexican biologists in this unique area. At the field station, participants will have access to many habitats and species that are endangered in México, and that serve to illustrate many of the principles of conservation biology. Furthermore, the nearby Biosphere Reserve (Rio Cuitzmala) will serve as a hands-on case study of ecotourism and sustainable development along México’s west coast.

Second only to Brazil and Indonesia, México boasts an astounding diversity of species and habitats. The biological component of the curriculum will couple conservation biology with natural history of the dry tropics of western México. The conservation biology course will cover issues and approaches to problems in conservation biology, illustrated with field trips and regional examples from México. The Regional Natural History course will be a hands-on introduction to the natural history of subtropical regions of central and western México. Emphasis will be on appreciating biological processes in tropical dry forests, their value and biological diversity, and how organisms adapt to life in these incredible seasonal environments. Students will keep a field journal and develop direct knowledge of the natural history of various tropical environments in central and western México. In addition, participants will conduct research projects which they will present to peers and colleagues

Location

This 10-week field school in Mexico is a unique opportunity to conduct field work in an international setting alongside expert faculty from the US and Mexico, all while immersing yourself in the culture of Mexico! After a brief stop at the Estación de Biología in Chamela, the group will spend six weeks in colonial Morelia learning and researching Spanish, living with host families, and participating in Biology lectures and field trips. For the last few weeks, you'll return to Estacion de Biologia, Chamela, where you will have a chance to conduct research projects and work with Mexican biologists in this unique area. The faculty coordinators, CWU professors Dr. Dan Beck and Dr. Kris Ernest, brought students to Mexico in 1999, have experience leading study abroad programs, are fluent in Spanish, and are enthusiastic about sharing all that México's culture and environment have to offer. In Morelia, CWU professor Dr. Natalie Lefkowitz will be sharing her expertise in linguistics to facilitate a two-week Spanish language research project. Read on for more about these two beautiful locations:

Universidad Latina de América, Morelia - Morelia is the capital of the state of Michoacán. It is considered by some to be one of the architectural gems of old Colonial Mexico. Its narrow downtown streets and quiet, comfortable neighborhoods form a welcoming community. Old stone plazas, decorative fountains, and churches located throughout the city are reminders of the region's rich history. Nonetheless, Morelia is also situated halfway between Mexico City and Guadalajara, and it is a deceptively bustling urban center. Residents enjoy all the comforts of city life in a provincial atmosphere. Musical performances, sporting events, museums, and art galleries give the city a lively array of cultural activities, mixing modern-day Mexico with timeless traditions of the past.

Students will attend Spanish language and Biology classes at the Universidad Latina de America (UNLA). UNLA's campus is situated on the outskirts of the city, where students enjoy well-maintained facilities including a student cafeteria, an Internet-connected library, and expansive ecological walkways. The university is a small, liberal arts school of roughly 1,500 students.

Estación de Biología, Chamela is a world-renowned research station nestled in one of the best remaining tropical dry forests of the New World tropics. One kilometer from the Pacific coast, facilities include a library, laboratories, cafeteria with resident cook, and comfortable dormitory rooms. The field station is affiliated with México's premiere university, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and has an excellent reference collection of regional flora and fauna. Students will have the opportunity to meet Latin American scientists at the field station.

• About the Faculty Coordinators

Dr. Ernest lived and studied biology in México as an exchange student. Her experience in Latin America includes fieldwork in Costa Rica, extensive travel in México, and 9- months of graduate field research in Brazil. Dr. Beck conducted his doctoral research at the Estacíon de Biología, Chamela where he lived for a total of 9 months. Since then he has taught, traveled, and studied extensively throughout México, and has led field courses to habitats within the Mexican states of Sonora, Baja California, Michoacan, and Jalisco. The instructors are both fluent in Spanish. They bring to the program connections to many places and colleagues in México, and a passion for the natural history and culture of México. Drs. Beck and Ernest conducted a similar program in 1999 and the students who participated described it as “a life-changing…immensely rewarding experience.” In Morelia, CWU professor Dr. Natalie Lefkowitz will be sharing her expertise in linguistics to facilitate a two-week Spanish language research project. Read on for more about these two beautiful locations.

For a sample program itinerary, please click here.

Academic Departments

Classes Offered

Students will earn 5 credits each in BIOL 377: Regional Natural History and BIOL 466: Conservation Biology. In addition, students will earn 6 credits of Spanish language, for a total of 16 credits during the quarter.

Biology: Mexico provides an excellent opportunity to explore natural history and to investigate one of the most important contemporary topics in biology: conservation biology. Because of its location, Mexico boasts an astounding number of diverse habitats and enormous biological diversity. At the field station, you'll have access to many habitats and species that are endangered in Mexico and that serve to illustrate many of the principles of conservation biology. The nearby Biosphere Reserve (Rio Cuitzmala) will serve as a hands-on case study of ecotourism and sustainable development along Mexico's west coast. With these resources at hand, students will conceive, design, and implement biological field research projects, and present the results of that research to peers and colleagues.

The biological component of the curriculum will couple conservation biology with natural history of the dry tropics of western México. The conservation biology course will cover issues and problems in conservation biology and approaches to the solution of these problems. The faculty coordinators will illustrate general principles with regional examples from México.

The Regional Natural History course will be a hands-on introduction to the natural history of subtropical regions of central and western México. Emphasis will be on understanding why habitat types occur where they do and how organisms adapt to life in dry subtropical environments. Students will learn how to keep a field journal and develop direct knowledge of the natural history of various tropical environments.

Spanish Language: In Morelia, students will take a total of 6 credits of Spanish. Students will be placed in Spanish language classes (taught by UNLA instructors) at an appropriate level based on a placement test. No previous study of Spanish is required! Students will also work with Dr. Natalie Lefkowitz on a linguistics project examining modern changes to the Spanish language.

For sample syllabi, please click here.

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Housing

In Morelia, student will be housed in single rooms with host families, and will be provided with three meals per day. At the Chamela Field Station, students will stay in double dorm rooms, and provided with three meals per day prepared by the Station's on-site cooks.

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Program Costs

The program fee will be between $4,175 and $4,675, depending on enrollment and currency fluctuation.

Program fees include:

• Tuition and fees
• Housing
• Meals
• Predeparture and on-site orientation
• Cultural activities and guided field trips

Program fees do NOT include airfare, passport/visa costs, personal spending money, or supplemental travel.

Program Dates & Application Deadlines

• Winter Quarter: (January 6, 2008 - March 12, 2008)
  • Application Deadline: October 15, 2007 (rolling admission - apply early!)

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Sample Program Budget

See our What Does It Cost page for more information on fees & deposits you may be responsible for.

Financial Aid

Most forms of financial aid and scholarships apply to the cost of study abroad programs. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor at their home campus for specific information about awards and eligibility. You can also visit our What Does it Cost web page.

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Eligibility

• Minimum GPA: 2.5
• Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
• Other Info: Prerequisites: BIOL 111 and 112; BIOL 360 recommended. No previous experience with the Spanish language is required. UPCOMING INFO SESSION: Monday, September 24th, 5pm, Science Building, 240.
• Good academic standing
• No current disciplinary record
• An interview may be required

How to Apply

Before you begin your application, we highly recommend that you see a study abroad advisor to ensure that you have all the information you need about program logistics and eligibility. CWU students can call 963-3622 or drop by the International Center, Room 101 (across from L&L), to schedule an appointment.

• Apply Here

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More Information

Contact:

Dr. Dan Beck and Dr. Kris Ernest
Faculty coordinators
Phone 963-2886 / 963-2805
beckd@cwu.edu, ernestk@cwu.edu

Prices and dates are subject to change without notice. Contact Study Abroad & Exchange Programs for more information.