Each Fall Semester Westmont in Mexico
Discover the Mexico you never knew...
Are you the kind of person who loves a challenge and an adventure? Does becoming more fluent in another language and building relationships with people of other cultures excite you? Would you like to explore Christianity in a new context and grow in ways you never thought possible? Well, Westmont in Mexico may be just for you! Westmont in Mexico (WIM) is a fall semester program led by Westmont faculty and located in the beautiful, colonial city of Querétaro. On this program, students gain skills for effective cross-cultural living, experience incarnational ministry, and improve their Spanish language abilities. WIM offers students the unique opportunity to immerse themselves in Mexican culture through home stays, coursework, and field trips within the context of a supportive Christian community. Another distinctive feature is its "cycle of learning" consisting of orientation, in-country, and re-entry seminars.
"Spending the whole semester in the same city allowed us to really feel the heartbeat of our host families, Querétaro, and the Mexican culture at large."
- Gabriel, History & Spanish Major
"Viva México!"
- Dante, Data Analytics & Business Major
WIM is designed to be a part of the general education curriculum, and fulfills several GE requirements. Students from all majors are encouraged to apply.
The city of Santiago de Querétaro is located on Mexico’s high central plateau, 136 miles northwest of Mexico City in the rich agricultural region of the Bajío. At an altitude of more than 6,000 feet, it enjoys a pleasant climate, much like Santa Barbara. Founded in the 16th century, Querétaro is both a charming colonial center which played a significant role in the country’s history and a modern city with a population of approximately one million. It prides itself on being one of Mexico's cleanest and most picturesque cities, and it remains one of its safest. One of the advantages the city provides for a study abroad program is that it is “off-the-beaten” tourist track. As one of the most intellectual cities in Mexico, it is blessed with rich resources in art, music, literature, drama, and colonial architecture. In recognition of its historical importance and cultural treasures, the United Nations has designated Querétaro as a world heritage site.
During the semester you will live with a carefully chosen Mexican family. You will be informed of your placement during the orientation course, and will even have an opportunity to correspond and get to know your family before the program begins. Care is taken to group students in neighborhoods close to each other. All participants will have their own bedroom, meals with the family, and laundry service. The families are eager to incorporate you into their daily lives - to treat you like their hijo o hija - and students consistently report that the homestay was one of the most rewarding aspects of their experience abroad.
An integral part of the WIM curriculum involves several organized field trips to explore the rich diversity of Mexico. For example, you will travel to the megalopolis of Mexico City and to rural indigenous villages; you'll walk along cobblestoned, colonial streets and wade through rivers and streams; you'll climb mountains and monuments and walk under arches and waterfalls. One of your profesors, along with the Westmont faculty resident director, will be your guides.
- Bernal Peak, one of the world's largest monoliths
- The Sierra Gorda, where Father Serra began his magnificent missions
- Mexico City and the pyramids of Teotihaucan
- Oaxaca, including the ruins of Mitla and Monte Albán
- Guanajuato
APPLY NOW FOR FALL 2020
We are excited to announce that Dr. Bruce Fisk will be leading WIM 2020! See faculty bios for more info. Email ocp@westmont.edu to make an appointment to learn more about our programs.
Still accepting applications.
Courses
WIM offers an integrative curriculum, in which topics learned in one class are reinforced and expanded upon in others, as well as in field trips and local excursions. Most importantly, students are learning and applying something new each and every day both inside and outside the classroom.
Students in WIM typically take 16 units. Most classes are 3 units. The Westmont Resident Director teaches one course, "Engaging Cultures," which is an integrative seminar designed to help you process the entire experience. All other courses are taught by highly qualified Mexican university professors.
- Intermediate Spanish (SP 3/4) GE Modern Language
- Advanced Spanish (SP 100) & Language in Context (SP 105) GE Writing Intensive
- Advanced Oral Skills, Composition, and Grammar (for advanced Spanish students)
- Mexican History & Civilization GE Thinking Historically, Common Inquiries
- Principles of Art: Mexico GE Performing & Interpreting the Arts
- Integrative Seminar: Engaging Culture GE Thinking Globally
- Latin Dance GE PEA
- Latin American Literature I & II GE Reading Imaginative Literature
- Mexican Literature GE Reading Imaginative Literature
- Literary Translation (for upper-level students)
- Mexico/US Relations GE Political Science Elective
- Mexican Schools Field Experience (Liberal Studies Practicum, for students with advanced Spanish)
WIM has a 2-unit pre-departure orientation seminar (IS 192) during the spring semester and an optional reentry seminar (IS 197) upon arrival back home.
- A bonus of the program is the intensive Spanish language courses, allowing you to complete the equivalent of one year's language study in just one semester
- The WIM program as a whole satisfies the GE Communicating Cross-Culturally
- Students will return with multiple GEs satisfied (typically 5-7 GEs) and up to 16 units for a Spanish minor or major.
Faculty
Dr. Docter graduated from UCLA with a degree in Spanish and earned both a master’s degree (Spanish) and a doctorate (Hispanic languages and literature) there. She joined the Westmont faculty in 1992 after teaching for four years at Scripps College. Her research focuses on 20th century Latin American literature, especially poetry, and she has written about José Emilio Pacheco, a leading Mexican poet and thinkers. She also studies Hispanic film and Colonial Latin American literature, especially work by Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a 17th century Mexican feminist nun. She has traveled extensively in Spain, South America, Central America, and Mexico to interview and videotape the oral history of a large cross-section of the population, equipping her with unique multi-media materials for her courses. She publishes extensively in scholarly journals.
Dr. Fisk arrived at Westmont in 1999 and was Professor of New Testament until 2018 with research interests in the Gospels, Jesus in historical context, the interpretation of apocalyptic literature, and the use of the Bible in religious conflicts. Author of A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Jesus: Reading the Gospels on the Ground, he taught Life and Literature of the New Testament (a GE requirement), New Testament Greek, and several elective New Testament courses. He travels to the Middle East frequently where he has led eight Westmont off-campus programs, in addition to programs in Europe and California’s Sierra Nevada. He lives in Lima, Peru, with his wife, Alessandra; in 2019 they are moving out of the big city to the Peruvian Andes. In Latin America he has explored Cuba, Dominican Republic and Guatemala and is delighted to be leading Westmont in Mexico where, in his spare time, he wants to study Aztec history, the Spanish conquest, and the changing face of the church in contemporary Mexico.
Born in Lima, Alessandra is Peruvian of Palestinian heritage. She earned a BA in Economics in Peru, an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University (Illinois), and worked 14 years in the textile and manufacturing business. In 2010, Alessandra moved to Bethlehem, her grandparents' hometown, where she learned Hebrew and Arabic, studied the history of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and earned a master's degree in Conflict Research and Resolution from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. She met Bruce at Manger Square in Bethlehem and both moved to Peru. She is a gifted polyglot (7 languages so far) who loves long walks, and even longer historical documentaries. She recently produced a video series in Spanish on the origins of the Israel-Palestine conflict. With her husband, Bruce, she has co-led two Westmont semester programs in the Middle East (2017, 2019) and Jerusalem Then & Now 2019.
WIM Handbook
The WIM handbook is designed to help current WIM students navigate their semester abroad once you are accepted into the program. Approximately 12-18 students are accepted for the program, and no more than 20. The handbook will answer many of your questions as you prepare for your trip, as well as give you valuable information while living in Mexico. Click here to download a copy of the current handbook.
Program Costs
There are no additional costs to study abroad in Mexico; you pay the same tuition, room and board as being on campus and keep your financial aid as well.
Eligibility
- Sophomores, juniors, and seniors from any major. Freshmen are especially encouraged to apply.
- One semester of college Spanish or the equivalent.
- 2-unit pre-departure orientation seminar during the spring semester (IS 192).
Questions? Contact Kim Notehefler in the Global Education office or Dr. Mary Docter to learn more.