• Study Abroad in Mexico
• Students Talk about their Summer Abroad Experience

Study Abroad in Mexico

The Department of World Languages offers a study-abroad semester in cooperation with the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Cuernavaca lies two hours south of Mexico City and is the capital of the state of Morelos. SPAN 3553 Travel to Spain or Latin America is required for both UA Fort Smith Spanish degrees: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science with Teacher Licensure.

• Eligibility: Prerequisites: Two semesters of college-level Spanish (SPAN 1304/SPAN 1314) or two years of high school Spanish. Interested persons not meeting these prerequisites may take part on a non-credit basis.

• Classes Offered: Participants in the study abroad program can register for up to 6 hours of the following courses, in consultations with their advisor:
  • SPAN 2803 Intermediate Spanish I
  • SPAN 3053 Cultural Readings
  • SPAN 3553 Travel to Spain/Latin America

• Cost: The cost of $2000 includes field trips, non-credit registration, and room and board with a Mexican family (three meals daily). Register for credit by paying the appropriate UA Fort Smith tuition.

• Housing: All study abroad participants will live with a Mexican host family in a mid-sized home, have their own private room, and share a bathroom with another student of the same gender.

• Further Details: This study abroad program allows students to develop fluency in Spanish conversation in the shortest time possible, focusing on the four language skills: listening, reading, conversation and writing. Courses are limited to no more than 5 students per class. Constant interaction in this small-group setting allows for greater individual attention. A UA Fort Smith Spanish professor will accompany the group.

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• For more information regarding the program, placement, or air travel, please contact Dr. Rosario Nolasco-Bell at (479)788-7970 or Dr. Greg Armstrong at (479)788-7961.

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Students Talk about their Summer Abroad Experience

So... what was it like?
Tamara Thomas of Greenwood, an intermediate-level student, participated in the Mexico trip to learn to speak better Spanish and to learn more about the culture of Mexico. “I fell in love with it,” Thomas said. “It was a beautiful city. The people were so nice, so courteous. They want to help you learn their city and learn their language." "I didn’t realize it while I was there, but I can speak Spanish much easier now than when I left. I have more confidence, and I’m not as nervous. Just listening to a conversation in Spanish, I understand and can pick up more than when I left. This was truly an experience not like any other. I’d definitely like to go back.”	Dr. Jerry Youker of Fort Smith said he made the trip because he wants to be more comfortable speaking Spanish. “I’m thinking about helping out in the Spanish clinic downtown,” the physician said. “I also think I’d like to go to Central or South America and help with clinics some of the churches from here conduct." He also enjoyed learning about the legends of Mexico and Mexican historical figures. He even participated in a singing class on Friday afternoons. “The instructor gave us the words, and we would sing along,” he said. “She gave the backgrounds of the songs. It was a welcome diversion — painless learning with no homework.”	Silvia Armstrong of Van Buren had nothing but praise for what took place at the Universidad Internacional at Cuernavaca, Mexico. “I am a high school teacher at Northside,” she said, “so I was extremely interested in going on this trip. I have an enormous number of Mexican students in my school.” She has traveled to Mexico many times as a tourist and as a teacher herself, including leading groups with her husband, Dr. Greg Armstrong, who directed the trip. “This time was different though, because I wasn’t one of the coordinators, nor was I in charge of students. I went as a student and took graduate courses, and I was very impressed.”

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