Credits

Spanish Language (6.0 credit hours)

Two of the following courses, based on previous knowledge:

• Beginning Spanish
  • LANG-1211 – Beginning Spanish I: (3.0 credit hours) A study of the fundamental structures of Spanish with oral and written practice. This course is available only through CMU's Intercultural Programs, Guatemala sites only. For students with no prior knowledge of Spanish, or who have studied Spanish up to and including Grade 11 or its equivalent. Students with Grade 12 Spanish or its equivalent may not normally take this course for credit. May not be held for credit together with LANG-1210.
  • LANG-1221 – Beginning Spanish II: (3.0 credit hours) A continuation of the study of the fundamental structures of Spanish with oral and written practice. This course is available only through CMU's Intercultural Programs, Guatemala sites only. Prerequisite: LANG-1211. May not be held for credit together with LANG-1220.
• Intermediate Spanish
  • LANG-2211 – Intermediate Spanish I: (3.0 credit hours) Language study and practice in the classroom and language laboratory, and readings in Spanish culture. This course is available only through CMU's Intercultural Programs, Guatemala sites only. Prerequisite: Senior matriculation Spanish, LANG-1220, or LANG-1221. May not be held for credit together with LANG-2210.
  • LANG-2221 – Intermediate Spanish II: (3.0 credit hours) A continuation of language study and practice in the classroom and language laboratory, and readings in Spanish culture. This course is available only through CMU's Intercultural Programs, Guatemala sites only. Prerequisite: LANG-2211. May not be held for credit together with LANG-2220.
• Advanced Spanish options are available to meet students at any level of Spanish fluency, including Advanced Conversational Spanish, Latin American Literature, Drama, and Guatemalan Literature. Advanced Spanish courses will be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

PCTS/IDS/POLS-2040 – Global Issues: (3.0 credit hours)

Many countries around the globe face a similar set of issues as they relate to indigenous peoples, economics development, religious change, justice and peace, migration, and the environment. These issues take a specific form in Guatemala, a country that has been shaped by a 36-year-long war. This course will examine the following issues through the lens of the Guatemalan context: environment, Mayan culture and spirituality, war and peace, and migration.

This course may be used to fulfill the following program major requirements:

• Area course requirement in the Peace and Conflict Transformation Studies major
• Optional course requirement in the International Development Studies major
• World politics area requirement in the Political Studies major
• Social science foundation requirement in the Environmental Studies major

PRAC-3100 – Intensive Practicum: (3.0 credit hours)

Extending CMU's Practicum classes abroad, this course provides students with additional experienced-based educational opportunities. This component consists of four weeks working with local Guatemalan organizations in the student's area of interest/study. Placements will be facilitated by CASAS. Students will be expected to complete reflective assignments as part of their experience. Students have the possibility to stay in Guatemala for additional fees to complete an extra 3 credit hours of Practicum in special cases, after the cohort returns home. In such cases, students are responsible for covering their fees and living arrangements at CASAS.

Prerequisites

Estamos is designed for students who are further along in their degree programs at CMU. To be eligible, students must have a minimum of 24 credit hours of university-level studies, including 3 credit hours in introductory social sciences or permission of the Director of Estamos.

Dates and itinerary subject to change.

• September 2 – Arrival at CMU (optional)
• September 3–5 – Pre-trip orientation at CMU
• September 6 – Travel to Guatemala
• September 6–13 – Global Issues class in Guatemala City
• September 14 – Pacaya volcano hike
• September 15 – Move to San Juan del Obispo (near Antigua) with host families
• September 16–October 5 – Spanish class and cultural activities
• October 6 – Return to Semilla, Guatemala City
• October 7–10 – Global Issues class
• October 11–15 – Travel to Tikal Mayan ruins and Community Cloud Forest Conservation (Alta Verapaz)
• October 16 – Return to San Juan del Obispo
• October 17–30 – Spanish class and cultural activities
• October 31–November 1 – Free travel days
• November 2 – Return to Guatemala City
• November 3–29 – Practicum placements across Guatemala
• November 30 – Return to Guatemala City
• December 1 – Debrief and prepare to leave
• December 2 – Travel to Winnipeg
• December 3 – Free days
• December 4–5 – Debrief and presentations at CMU

Estamos offers students a rich intercultural education and travel experience at a reasonable cost. The costs below cover the entire student experience, from arrival at CMU to departure from CMU at the end of the semester, and everything in between. Canadians and Canadian Permanent Residents will receive $5,000 in financial support from Global Skills Opportunity. Canadians and Permanent Residents who identify as low income, having a disability, or Indigenous may qualify for up to $5,000 beyond that, for a total of up to $10,000 in financial support (see notes below).

CMU scholarships and bursaries may be used towards Estamos program costs, excluding the Athletic Merit which will not be awarded for any semester that a student is participating in Estamos. Students may use government student aid and RESPs towards Estamos program costs.

¹ Program Fees include all accommodations and meals in Canada and Guatemala, in-country travel, contribution to vaccine equity, and stipend for free travel week. Students may need to pay for local public transportation.

² These figures are estimates and will be adjusted higher or lower at time of airfare purchase. GSO grant funding will be adjusted accordingly to maintain the grand total listed above.

³ A grant from Global Skills Opportunity allows all Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents a discount of $5,000, with additional funding available to students in the target groups.

⁴ The Global Skills Opportunity grant provides additional support up to an additional $5,000 for underrepresented students, using the following definitions:

• Low-income students: students who report to be in receipt of Canada Student Grants, or similar non-repayable student financial assistance offered by provinces and territories, or, in the absence of receiving non-repayable student financial assistance, can provide information to demonstrate that they require financial support to study or work abroad.
• Indigenous students: students who report being an Indigenous person, that is, First Nations, Métis, or Inuk (Inuit).
• Students with disabilities: students who report to have a difficulty or impairment due to a long-term condition or health problem and/or experience a limitation in their daily activities.

Payment Due Dates

• April 30, 2024 – $500 non-refundable deposit due
• September 1, 2024 – Remaining student payment