Al Norte! Immigration to the United States from and through Mexico
2009 Exploration Seminar in Mexico

THIS PROGRAM IS FULL AND NO LONGER ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. PLEASE CONSIDER ANOTHER EXPLORATION SEMINAR PROGRAM!

Program Director: Maria Gillman, Spanish
Dates of Instruction: Aug 24 - Sept 18 , 2009


Every year a growing number of people risk life and limb to travel from and through Mexico on their way to the United States, in search of a better life or to be reunited with a loved one.  In this once-in-a-lifetime Exploration Seminar created mainly, but not exclusively, for Heritage Learners, students will learn about the long-standing migration relationship between Mexico and the U.S., which dates back to the 1900s. 

In order to better understand the migration patterns and their social, economic and political impact in both countries, the seminar will take place in three states: Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacan.  We will start in the state of Oaxaca, where students will learn about the impact of the Indigenous exodus in the late '90s and early ‘00s that became significant due to the Mexican economic crisis.  Next, we will explore the state of Chiapas (San Cristóbal de las Casas), a transit state for people coming from Central America. The seminar will end in Michoacán, which was one of the first and oldest states where migrants were recruited to work for the U.S. railroad companies in the late 1900s, and which later became one of the traditionally Mexican migrant states for agricultural workers.

Over the course of this seminar, we will address the following questions, among many others:

This is also an opportunity for students to discover that Mexico is a multicultural and diverse nation, and that while it is true that many want to emigrate to the U.S., many others want to stay in the place they live.  To better understand what the emigrants are leaving behind, we will explore the Mayan archeological site of Palenque in Chiapas; Monte Albán and Mitla in the states of Oaxaca; and take excursions to National and Eco-Parks, lakes, beaches, and colonial cities.
All lectures will be in Spanish, and taught in the three states by local research professors specialized in Migration Studies.  Readings will be in English and Spanish, and students will have the opportunity for classroom discussions on immigration history, as well as issues and policy making.

In addition to the lectures, students will attend conferences, view a documentary about migrants from Central America, and visit sites relevant to the topic of migration. Students will keep a reflective journal of their findings in regards to immigration, the excursions, Mexican culture, their peoples, and their own attitudes towards migration issues in Mexico and the U.S.; and complete one of the following project options: a photo essay, a testimonial narrative, or a digital story on immigration.

Since we will be traveling extensively in buses from city to city, students will also bring with them two books: “The Devil’s Highway” buy Luis Alberto Urrea and “Enrique’s Journey” by Sonia Nazario for book discussions, which will be held tertulia-style in the famous Café Tacuba in Mexico City and in the Café de los Sentidos, a coffee house and art gallery in the beautiful colonial city of Morelia.

Further program information can be found at: http://depts.washington.edu/spanport/studyabroad_sps/mexico2009.html

Credits: Participants should have 300-level or higher proficiency in Spanish, and may choose to earn 5 credits of SPAN 393 (VLPA), or 5 credits of SISLA 399 (I&S).  Participants should check with their advisors to determine how these credits can count towards departmental requirements.

Program Director: Program Director Maria Gillman is the Third Year Language Program Coordinator and  Divisional Director of Experiential Learning in the Division of Spanish and Portuguese. She has directed UW study abroad programs in Oaxaca, Ecuador and Guatemala. Last year she was the recipient of the Keith Crosbie Professional Growth Award granted by the Washington Association of Foreign Language Teachers (WAFLT) that allowed her to do a research project on immigration, titled “The Other Border” on the border between Mexico and Guatemala. Maria Gillman was the recipient of the UW's 2005 Distinguished Contributions to Lifelong Learning Award. She is also a recipient of the UW's Distinguished Teaching Award, and is a native speaker of Spanish. Please contact her for more information: mgill@u.washington.edu.

Student Costs:

• $ 2,850 Program fee
• $ 200 IPE Fee
• Click here for a Estimated Budget of Student Expenses (for financial aid requests)
• Additional costs include round trip travel to Mexico City, health insurance and vaccines, some meals, and personal expenses.  The program will provide participants with all housing, transportation and on average two meals per day.
  
  

Back to Exploration Seminar List of Programs