Immersion in Mexican culture benefits ASC students (12-05-07)
Every summer a group of Adams State College students travel to Guanajuato, Mexico and spend two weeks to four weeks living with Mexican families, attending the Instituto Miguel de Cervantes, and experiencing the culture first-hand.
Paul Gilbert, a registered nurse at the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo, spent two weeks in Mexico with the program. This was his second summer attending. "I enjoyed the way the trip is planned and organized thru ASC," he said. "It is relatively inexpensive for what is included."
Dr. Grace Young, professor of sociology at Adams State College, travels with the group to help ease the transition into Mexican culture. She teaches a one-credit course, The Foreign Study Experience, to help participants prepare for the experience. The class will meet for one weekend in the spring 2008 to discuss issues such as culture shock, acquiring passports, and how to get the most out of the experience.
"Mexicans are very hospitable and their connection to the language school is very evident," Gilbert said. "They have a comfort level hosting "foreigners" that was enjoyable."
"Paul is so dedicated," Young said. "He stayed with the same family both years. They took him to more intimate family gatherings and church."
The Instituto Miguel de Cervantes provides all levels of Spanish classes, from beginner to advanced. Classes are held from 9 a.m. until noon Monday through Friday, with the option of private afternoon classes for an extra charge. Participants must demonstrate at least a beginning level of Spanish proficiency and must be 18 years of age or older.
The Instituto has been in operation since 1981 and has a reputation as an excellent Spanish language institute. It provides afternoon and evening activities such as dance lessons, visits to museums, hikes, and weekend excursions to nearby artisan sites and archaeological ruins.
Camille Perez, Bernalillo, New Mexico, traveled to Mexico last summer. She joined the navy in September and graduated boot camp Nov. 2. She said she is currently in Monterey, Calif. in the linguistic institute to become a Spanish linguistic for the military.
"The teachers made it an easy, learning environment," Perez said. "I would recommend the opportunity to anyone."
"There is one single, solitary focus: Spanish," Young said. "You can't but improve in such an intensive, focused program. It is a great opportunity for students and community members. I hope to do a community/student combined group this coming June."
Guanajuato, Mexico is located one-half hour from Leon in central Mexico. Program participants live with families where meals and a room are provided. Depending on the length of stay, participants are eligible to receive four credits in Spanish and three credits in Sociology, at the bachelor's or graduate level, from Adams State College.
On regular afternoons, students meet with teachers for refreshments and casual conversations in Spanish.
"Students can pick a topic or the teacher may suggest one," Young said. "Then everyone eats and drinks and discusses everything from politics to travel using the Spanish language."
Gilbert said he plans on traveling again in the summer 2008. "I am always recruiting others, and my next trip may include a good friend and my sons," he said. "It is a very enjoyable way to learn about Mexican culture and language."
For more information regarding the summer 2008 program contact Dr. Grace Young at 719-587-7142.
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By Linda Relyea
