1. Women's Lives and Experiences in Nicaragua
Winterim 2018 Faculty-Led Immersion Programs
Culture and Geography in Ecuador
Women's Lives and Experiences in Nicaragua
Culture and Geography in Ecuador

2. USA
Nicaragua
(Central America)
Ecuador
(South America)

3. Presentation Outline Faculty Leaders Program Themes
FAQ About Study Abroad
The Programs
How to Apply
Contact Information
Questions

4. I. Faculty Leaders Nicaragua Ecuador Bibiana Fuentes Theresa Kemp
Professor of Spanish
Born and raised in Colombia
Teaches courses in Spanish, Latin American Civilization, and Latin American Literature
Shanti Freitas
International Immersion Coordinator
Lived an worked in Ecuador for several years
Married to a Kichwa person (an Ecuadorian indigenous tribe) who we will visit and learn from on the program
Theresa Kemp
Professor of English
Women’s Studies Program Affiliate
Teaches courses in Critical Studies in Literatures, Cultures & Film and in Women’s Studies
Analisa DeGrave
Professor of Spanish
Member of Latin American Studies Program
Teaches courses in Spanish, Latin American Studies and Women’s Studies

5. II. Program Themes Nicaragua Ecuador
Learn first-hand about the diverse geographies and cultures of Ecuador
Explore two geographical landscapes (Andes Mountains and Amazon Jungle Basin)
How do global forces impact the local environment?
Issues of deforestation, oil exploitation, and globalization
Learn about cultural diversity while recognizing a history of inequality and marginalization of certain ethnic groups
Understand the interrelationship between geography and culture
To give you a vision of the social struggle for women’s rights in the context of a developing country;
To help you become a more engaged citizen in the world community, a citizen concerned with:
Human rights
Social justice
Inequality
To improve your Spanish skills

6. III. FAQ About Study Abroad
Nicaragua Ecuador
Q1: Do I have to speak a foreign language?
The course is offered in English about women in Nicaragua.
We recommend that students take at least one college-level Spanish language course prior to the program.
Students that have never taken Spanish, should enroll in Spanish 101 for summer or fall of 2017.
Students may also take 12 hours of Spanish classes during the program in Nicaragua if they cannot take Spanish 101.
Spanish is not necessary as the course is offered in English, but certainly welcome and encouraged!

7. III. FAQ (continued) Nicaragua Ecuador Q2: Will I graduate on time?
Nicaragua and Ecuador are both winterim programs so they won’t set you back.
Q3: Does it cost too much money?
Due to Blugold Commitment funding, these programs are among the most affordable faculty-led programs on campus
Students that receive financial aid should go to Blugold Central to discuss how it can apply to the program.
Foundation scholarships, grants, and financial aid are available: check the CIE website for all the details!

8. IV. The Programs (3 weeks)
Nicaragua Ecuador
~2 weeks in Matagalpa
The “Pearl of the North”
Population: ~150,000
Valley within rolling green hills (Coffee growing region)
Classes at Colibrí Spanish School
Homestays
Independent travel weekend!
1-2 days in El Chile:
Weaving cooperative
2-3 days in Mulukuku:
Rural women’s cooperative
2-3 days in Managua
3-4 days in Quito (capital city)
Visit historical district, Equator Line
Travel to Tena in the Amazon Basin
Explore geography along the way
12-14 days in and around Tena
4 day homestay component
3 day service learning project
Visits to NGOs, entrepreneurship projects, local farms
Independent travel weekend!
3-4 days in Otavalo
Compare / contrast geography / culture in small market town

9. IV. The Programs: Eligibility and Requirements
Nicaragua Ecuador
2.3 cumulative GPA and good academic standing
No Spanish required, but having some Spanish is encouraged
Fall prerequisite course:
GEOG 321 Geography of Latin America (GE-III and FC)
Additional orientation and meetings specifically about Ecuador during fall semester
Winterim course: LAS (GE-III and FC)
Students should take at least one college-level Spanish language course prior to the program.
Students that have never taken Spanish, should enroll in Spanish 101 for summer or fall of 2017.
Students may also take 12 hours of Spanish classes during the program in Nicaragua if they cannot take Spanish 101.

10. Nicaragua Optional Activities
Students may opt to take up to 12 hours of private Spanish classes at the Colibrí Spanish school
Cost: $10 per hour
The Colibrí school can also help students coordinate volunteer work with organizations in Matagalpa
Cost: $80

11. IV. The Programs: Costs Nicaragua Ecuador Program Cost: $2,230
Includes:
3 credits of Winterim tuition, all housing, transportation, activities, application fee, and nearly all meals
Additional Costs
Airfare: estimated $500-$800
Passport / visa fees: $145 (including $10 arrival fee in Nicaragua when you arrive)
Airport exit tax: $32
A few meals and personal expenses: $50-100
Program Cost: $1,130
Includes:
3 credits of Winterim tuition, all housing, transportation, activities, application fee, and some meals
Additional Costs
Airfare: estimated $
Passport Fees (if you don’t already have one): $135
Some meals and personal expenses: $300
*costs may change due to participant numbers, tuition fees, or exchange rates

12. V. How to Apply http://www.uwec.edu/cie/
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline until May 1 or earlier if program fills
Ecuador is nearly full already!
Online Application
Reference
Transcript
$30 application fee

13. VI. Contact Information
Nicaragua Ecuador
Professor Theresa Kemp (English)
Professor Analisa DeGrave (Languages)
Shanti Freitas (Immersion coordinator)
Professor Bibiana Fuentes (Languages)
Shanti Freitas (Immersion coordinator)

14. Nicaragua Coffee Homestays Matagalpa Host families
Colibrí Spanish School

15. Ecuador
The Equator
The Kichwa tradition of drinking guayusa tea at sunrise

16. …and what about the independent travel weekend?
Poneloya, Nicaragua
Baños, Ecuador

17. VII: Questions? For more information:
Link for: Nicaragua Program Brochure and Application
Link for: Ecuador Program Brochure and Application
Center for Intercultural Immersions Office Schofield 3
Website:

18. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will learn and grow in ways you could never anticipate!