Argentina will once again be the focus of the Center for Latin American Studies’ Seminar and Field Trip. The vibrant country of more than 40 million diverse peoples has been a popular destination for study seminar/field trip and study abroad in general. The 10 to 15 students selected to participate will be spending six weeks in May and June of 2013 studying and living with a host family in Rosario, Argentina, the third largest city in the country with 1.3 million inhabitants. The students will first enroll in a spring semester-long preparatory seminar, then travel to Argentina, earning six credits applicable toward the CLAS certificate upon completion of the program.

Rosario, approximately 180 miles northwest of Buenos Aires, is a strategic port city on the Paraná River built upon a strong agricultural, industrial and commercial foundation. Almost 80% of the Argentina’s grain exports are shipped from here through the Atlantic Ocean 250 miles away. The region boasts a wealth of opportunity for activities, such as kayaking, cycling, hiking and horseback riding and is home to six universities with combined enrollment of approximately 80,000 students. Rosario is also where the revolutionary Ché Guevara spent his youth.

Matt Rhodes, a doctoral candidate in the School of Education with extensive residence experience in Latin America, will direct the seminar and field program. Undergraduates from any major interested in Latin America, who are maintaining a minimum gpa of 2.75 and who possess sufficient foreign language skills, are welcome to apply.

Spring Term Seminar (3 credits) - This interdisciplinary seminar is designed to prepare students for their in-country residence experience. Students will examine the history, culture, politics and geography of Argentina. Issues dealing with cross-cultural communication and the challenges and rewards of the international living experience will be examined. Students will also be guided through the design of individual field projects that they will carry out during their stay.

Summer Session Field Trip (3 credits) - While living with a host family, students will carry out their individual field investigations, collecting data and information for evaluation. The project director and assistant will be present throughout the program to provide guidance and suggestions. Final written project reports will be completed upon return to the US and submitted to the director prior to the August deadline.

Language - Candidates are required to have sufficient language proficiency (usually three to four terms) to communicate adequately with their host families, travel independently and conduct their projects. Continued language coursework during the spring term may be required to sufficiently develop requisite proficiency.

Cost - Students are responsible for the cost of three credits of summer tuition (approximately $2300), and the study abroad fee of $300. The balance of all cost for round trip air fare, room and board with host family and one overnight weekend excursion are paid for by the Center for Latin American Studies.

Deadline for application is October 12, 2012.

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