July 11 to August 9, 2008

Welcome to Guanajuato, Mexico- a strange city of charm and romance; where ghosts walk the streets of the city-beneath-the-city, a destination lost in time and space; a city known at one time as the richest silver mining center in the world. The city sits in a valley surrounded by semi-arid hill country. The nearby Sierra de Guanajuato mountains are tree-covered and offer plenty of outdoor adventure opportunities.

Guanajuato's name originates from the word Quanax-juato which, in the indigenous dialect of the region, meant "Place of Frogs" - because the indigenous tribes thought the place was fit only for frogs!

PROGRAM COMPONENTS INCLUDED IN THE STUDENT FEE

• A transportation package consisting of airfare (LAX-Guanajuato-LAX) and round-trip transfers between the airport and the accommodation in Guanajuato excluding mandatory US government and airline-imposed departure taxes, fees and fuel surchages (estimated at $201) for which students will be billed separately. (Please see Airfare Conditions.)
• Housing in homestays in twin-rooms with 3 meals per day 7 days a week  and weekly laundry service. Each student will have a bed, study table and adequate lighting. AIFS will provide students with the name, address and phone number of their host family prior to the start of the program.  Homestays are within a 20-30 minute walking distance of the study centre.
• An orientation program in Guanajuato consisting of an orientation meeting with local representative, student information packet including comprehensive student handbook, local area information, a welcome dinner and practical walking tour of Guanajuato.
• Spanish language instruction at don Quijote language school Monday through Friday for four hours per day. The course will be required of all students.  Classes will be taught by the instructors at the school and the chosen instructors from SOCCCD. SOCCCD will provide any/all additional academic monitoring credits, supporting seminars, etc.
• Extra-curricular, social and cultural activities including afternoon visits to El Monumento al Pipila, La Valenciana Mining village, Museum of the Mummies and  Teatro Juarez. Other activities can typically include  a cooking class, museum visits and cultural walks.
• A full day excursion to Queretaro with professional English-speaking guide and entrances to the Convento dela Santa Cruz, Palacio de Gobierno and Cerro de las Campanas.
• A full day excursion to San Miguel de Allende including Dolores Hidalgo and Atontonilco and La Gruta.
• Mexican Life and Culture lectures (one per week) in Spanish covering topics such as politics, culture and tradition in Mexico.
• Daily use of classroom space for faculty member to conduct classes –mornings or afternoons.
• Limited free Internet access at the study centre.
• Shared faculty office at the Don Quijote Language school.
• Farewell party.
• A $15 cultural fee per student built into the program fee for use by the instructor during the program.
• $50 non-refundable application fee
• Student medical and program fee refund insurance policies, as outlined in the AIFS insurance brochure. Coverage includes $10,000 accidental medical expense and $10,000 accidental death payment plus 24-hour emergency care assistance during the program and repatriation in cases of verified emergency beyond the students’ control.
• $51,000,000 liability coverage with SOCCCD named as co-insured for the duration of the program
• Accounting / billing services in the U.S.
• Pre-departure information services and a toll-free contact number in the U.S.
• Promotional materials
• Advance planning services of the AIFS London program headquarters.

Based on an enrolment of 15 to 19 paying student participants with 1 faculty member, for the services specified above, the fee per person is $3,065.

Based on an enrolment of 20 or more paying student participants with 1 faculty member, for the services specified above, the fee per person is $3,035.

Should SOCCCD wish to run this program with an enrolment below 15 paying student participants it would be necessary to either add a supplement to the fee above or to remove some components from the program. AIFS would discuss these options with SOCCCD.

This fee excludes a $125 refundable damage deposit, passport or visa fees if applicable, meals other than those indicated on the itinerary, personal expenses, any SOCCCD  tuition or administrative fees, textbooks, additional fieldtrips or excursions required by the SOCCCD faculty and anything not specified.

These fees are guaranteed not to change as a result of fluctuations in the $ exchange rate. AIFS will charge a $35 returned check fee on each check returned by the bank for insufficient funds.

For additional information, please email Professor Carmenmara Hernandez-Bravo at chernandezb@saddleback.edu.  The program will be lead by Professors Maria Enciso and Marcela Duran.