Urban Field Experience in Mexico City

EXTENDED APPLICATION DEADLINE : March 15, 2020

This program will expose students to the urban landscape of Mexico City, Mexico. Using site visits, guest lectures, and group activities, students will be exposed to the city’s current political, economic and cultural reality. Over the 4-week period, students will acquire a broad knowledge base of the evolving environmental, economic, political, cultural, and social forces that are constituted in and reverberate across the city in current global and neoliberal times. Mexico City has become a popoular tourist destination in recent years and boasts a series of sustainable initiatves aimed at greening the city through its public transit channels. 

Using Mexico City as a backdrop, students will examine urban problems, issues, and developments while living in a walkable, interconnected, urban neighborhood. Participants will independently collect data through observations and mapping, will attend presentations by local experts, and create research reports. The specific content of this course includes two weeks of intensive field study and data gathering in Mexico City and two weeks of instruction and preliminary data gathering in Tacoma. Additionally, students will complete relevant readings and conduct an independent comparative analysis project.

This study abroad program is taught by Drs. Anaid Yerena and Cynthia Howson. 

Academic Content

This program does not require any prerequisites or language requirements. Students receive a total of seven credits for the program as follows:

TURB 379 Urban Field Experience in Mexico City/Study Abroad in the Social Sciences  (7 credits)

Through site visits, field research, and group activities students will be exposed to the urban contexts of Mexico City. Students will explore the political, social, economic, and cultural facets of the city

The overarching substantive goal is to help students gain a comprehensive understanding of and think more critically about urban contexts in Latin America, specifically, Mexico City. In doing so, students will also:

• Understand the economic, political, cultural and social forces that affect the urban landscape of Mexico City;

• Reflect on the similarities and differences between the American and U.S. urban contexts;

• Design and implement a research project;

• Conduct data gathering site visits; and

• Present their findings in a group setting.

Program Schedule

The program runs from July 23 - August 22, 2020. Students will spend August 2 - 22 in Mexico City, Mexico. 

Housing

Centrally located shared accommodations will be contracted for students. Specific arrangements will depend on the facility and the number of student participants. There will be no more than 4 students per room.

Student Eligibility

This program is appropriate for many undergraduate and graduate students, particularly those interested in the social sciences who are looking forward to a challenging research project in a foreign country. There are no prerequisites or language requirements, although demonstrated interest in field research, study abroad, Mexican culture, and Spanish language are certainly beneficial.      

Application Deadline 

Applications are due on January 31, 2020. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by February 14, 2020. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 1, 2020. Click the "Apply Now" button above to begin.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Mexico.

Visas

Travel visa to Mexico is not required for U.S. citizens. 

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost

The program fee is $3,485. 

Included in the cost of the program:

• $450 in study abroad administrative fees
• Instruction (7 credits)
• Housing in Mexico City
• 3 group meals 
• Program activities and program travel
• Tips for guides

Not included:

• Meals
• Round-trip airfare from Seattle,Washington (SEA), to Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
• Public transportation in Mexico City
• Study Abroad Insurance
• Items of personal nature such as phone calls, souvenirs, and laundry service

Payment Due Date: July 10, 2020

Program fees will be posted to your MyUW student account and can be paid the same way that you pay tuition and other fees. Check your MyUW Account periodically for due dates.

Withdrawals

The $450 UW Study Abroad Administrative Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun (please refer to Emergency Withdrawal information below, if applicable). The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

Please email uwtintl@uw.edu and copy your program director(s) providing notice that you will no longer be participating in the program. You will also need to respond to any further communication from the Office of Global Affairs to finalize your withdrawal.

If a program is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, student will not be charged either the UW Study Abroad Administrative Fee or the UW Tacoma Study Abroad Program Fee.

Emergency Withdrawal

If you cannot participate in a study abroad program, you may submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition. If granted, the Emergency Withdrawal may allow for partial relief from your financial obligations to the program.

An Emergency Withdrawal Petition may be submitted in the following circumstances:

• Unanticipated change in financial situation
• Medical emergency
• Death in immediate family
• Active military duty
• Unusual or extenuating circumstances

To submit an Emergency Withdrawal Petition, complete this form and email it to uwtintl@uw.edu.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of the UW Study Abroad website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 15, 2021 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drs.