Study Abroad

Mexico City, Mexico - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)

The National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) was founded on September 21, 1551 with the name of the Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico. It is the largest and most important university in Mexico and Latin America. Its main purpose is to serve the country and humanity, train professionals useful to society, organize and conduct research, mainly about national conditions and problems, and extend as broadly as possible, the benefits of culture. There are over 350,000 students at UNAM. 

Watch this video about studying at UNAM:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c1&v=u7PNFr-9F6w

For all of the steps and information on applying to study abroad through UMass Boston, download the checklist: Study Abroad Steps to Stay on Track 2020.pdf

Cancelled - 2023 Winter Program at CEPE – UNAM Mexico City

Program Dates: January 5 - 22, 2023; Program Fee: $1910

Learn  Spanish in Mexico and earn 4 credits in 3 weeks!

Join other UMass Boston students this winter for this 3-week intensive Spanish  program (Span 102) at the Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros (CEPE) at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City, Mexico! 

Course Information: Students take Español Básico II at CEPE-UNAM and earn 4 credits in 3-weeks. The course is especially designed for UMass Boston students and it is equivalent to UMB Span 102. 

• Register for classes at CEPE January 5
• Classes end: January 20
• Siele optional test: January 21 
• Classes in the mornings plus 7 site visits around Mexico city and a day trip to Teotihuacán

Eligibility:

• Must be in good disciplinary/ academic standing.
• Completed Span 101 or placement test

Eligible students will be interviewed by Prof. Nayelli Castro-Ramirez (Nayelli.Castro@umb.edu) 

 

Program Fee: $1910 (based on minimum 10 students)
Arrival to Mexico city: Wednesday, January 4
Departure: Saturday afternoon, January 21

Included in the program fee:

• Tuition for 4-credit course at CEPE 
• 7 site visits in Mexico City (including a day trip to to the ancient city of Teotihuacan and other cultural trips and activities)
• Accommodation in the Hotel (Radisson Paraiso Hotel) in double rooms for 17 nights
• Daily breakfast at the hotel
• Ground transportation hotel – CEPE UNAM Campus – hotel 
• Airport pick up if arriving on January 4th
• Pre-departure orientations and services
• SIELE exam optional on January 21

Not included in the program fee:

• Round trip airfare, estimated  $800 (Search StudentUniverse for discounted flights)
• Independent meals (lunches and dinners), estimated $500
• Personal expenses
• Study abroad mandatory fee $100 payable to the UMass Boston Office of Global Programs (check or money order)

Application Instructions and Deadlines: 

1. November 1: Complete the UMB application through this site for the winter  program at UNAM by November 1
2. November 2-4: Eligible students will be interviewed by Prof. Nayelli Castro-Ramirez (Nayelli.Castro@umb.edu) by Zoom, November 2-4 
3. November 7: Accepted students will be notified by email by Prof. Nayelli Castro-Ramirez by November 7 
4. Complete the prior approval form to transfer the course Español Básico II to  Span 102 and the post-acceptance paperwork through this site before departure
5. December 2: Final payments for the full program fee will be due by December 2
6. December 15: Students will need to attend a UMass Boston pre-departure orientation and register for travel https://travelregistry.umasscs.net 

• The program fee ($1910) is to be paid directly to UNAM Boston to Héctor Zavala hector.zavala@boston.unam.mx 
• Students can pay by wire transfer or Zelle. No cash will be accepted.
• Information about the bank transfer will be sent after the student has been accepted into the program. 

Reimbursement policy by UNAM

• 100% refund if the course is cancelled by UNAM.
• 100% refund if the student withdraws from the program before December 2nd, 2022.
• 50% refund if the student withdraws from the program before December 9th, 2022.
• In this case, UNAM will save the percentage of the program fee not refunded and will make it valid for future courses.
• No refund if the student withdraws from the program after December 16th, 2022.
• In this case, UNAM will save the program fee and will make it valid for future courses.

For more information, please contact

• Prof. Nayelli Castro-Ramirez (Nayelli.Castro@umb.edu) about the course at CEPE
• Héctor Zavala hector.zavala@boston.unam.mx  about  accommodation and payments  

See the video from CEPE with UMass Boston students from summer 2019
https://youtu.be/c4_pnUm_cnw
_____________________________________________

2019 Summer Program at UNAM Mexico City:

Join other UMass Boston students and students from around the world this summer for this 6-week intensive Spanish and culture program at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) in Mexico City, Mexico! The program features 9 levels of Spanish language, 108 hours of Spanish instruction and 18 hours of Spanish courses in history, art, or literature. Learn Spanish while exploring all the food, history, and culture la Ciudad de México has to offer.

Eligibility: 

• Must be in good disciplinary/ academic standing. 
• Sophomore class status or above. 
• 2.5 GPA or above
• No language requirements, but it is recommended at least one semester of Spanish to have been taken. 

Course Information: Students take one Spanish language course + a cultural course for up to 6 credits in Spanish language! 9 levels of Spanish language courses available. See UMass Boston equivalencies below:

Basic Block: 
Level 1: Spanish 101 (4 credits) + 4.5 elective credits in Spanish
Level 2: Spanish 102 (4 credits)+ 4.5 elective credits in Spanish 
Level 3 and Level 4: Spanish 201 (3 credits) + 5.5 elective credits in Spanish. 

Intermediate Block: 
Level 1: Spanish 202 (3 credits) + 5.5 elective credits in Spanish 
Level 2: Spanish 202 (3 credits) + 5.5 elective credits in Spanish
Level 3: Spanish 202 (3 credits) + 5.5 elective credits in Spanish

Superior: 
Superior Mayor: Spanish 230 or Spanish 301 (3 credits) + 5.5 elective credits in Spanish
 
For more information on courses: http://www.cepe.unam.mx

Program Cost Estimated $3,000. We are working on full program details. Cost will include:

• Tuition and fees
• Accommodation 
• Airport transfers to and from accommodation
• Insurance
• Excursions and city tours
• On-site UNAM CEPE Staff support services
• Pre-departure orientations and services

Not included in the program cost: 

• Dinners and weekend meals: ~$250-300
• Flight round trip to Mexico City: $400-$600
• Personal Expenses: ~$400-500

Do you receive any financial aid, such as scholarships or grants to fund your education? Find out if your financial aid will apply towards studying abroad using the following Financial Aid Guide here

The Financial Aid Guide provides lots of information. However, prior to applying it is advised to contact Financial Aid services for financial aid inquiries and concerns. Link to Financial Aid services website: https://finaid.umb.edu/

Cultural program: Included in your program cost

• A guided tour of Mexico City's historical center
• Day Trip to the ancient city of Teotihuacan, dated to 300 BC and once home to over 100,000 people.
• Other cultural trips and activities!

Application Instructions: 

1. Complete the application through this site for the summer program at UNAM. You will need to make a deposit on the program fee to reserve your spot $500 at the time of application.
2. Once you reserve your spot on the program, you need to complete the UMass Boston paperwork to transfer courses and the post-acceptance paperwork. 
3. Final payments on the full program fee will be due before you depart on the program.

Semester and Year-long at UNAM Information Below:

To apply for the Exchange Program (semester/year-long):

1. Confirm that this program works for you both academically and financially. Check the courses offered and speak with your academic advisor on which courses you should try to take while abroad that will count towards your degree. If you are receiving financial aid or want to apply for financial aid for the study abroad program, contact Nicole.Brennan@umb.edu so you know what you can expect in aid for the program. 
2. Once you are sure this is the program for you, apply on this website for the program (click apply at the bottom). 
3. Once completed, contact the Office of Global Programs to have your nomination submitted to UNAM. From there you will also need to submit the exchange application through UNAM directly: https://www.unaminternacional.unam.mx/

Eligibility

University of Massachusetts Boston students only. Undergraduate and graduate students who have currently completed at least one year of full-time study with the most recent semester completed at UMass Boston are eligible. Students must be in good academic standing (at least 2.75 GPA) with no disciplinary problems.

For semester/year-long applicants, you must have a B2 level of Spanish.

Academic Calendar 
Spring - January to May 
Fall - August to November

To apply for the Exchange Program:

1. Confirm that this program works for you both academically and financially. Check the courses offered and speak with your academic advisor on which courses you should try to take while abroad that will count towards your degree. If you are receiving financial aid or want to apply for financial aid for the study abroad program, contact Nicole.Brennan@umb.edu so you know what you can expect in aid for the program. 
2. Once you are sure this is the program for you, apply on this website for the program (click apply at the bottom). 
3. Once completed, contact the Office of Global Programs to have your nomination submitted to UNAM. From there you will also need to submit the exchange application through UNAM directly: https://www.unaminternacional.unam.mx/

For all of the steps and information on applying to study abroad through UMass Boston, download the checklist: Study Abroad Steps to Stay on Track 2020.pdf

Courses

The language of instruction at UNAM is Spanish. You must have a B2 level of Spanish to apply. For course information, go to: https://www.unaminternacional.unam.mx/es/ex/estudiante/extranjero/requisitos-especiales

Spanish Language courses are offered through UNAM's Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros (CEPE). There are additional fees for Spanish Language classes to all exchange students from partner universities; however, exchange students are entitled to a discount on the course (except for registration fee and books).

Credits

Students must study full time at the home and host institutions. With the completion of the Request for Prior Approval of Transfer Credit of Study Abroad Programs form, your credits (not grades) will transfer toward your degree at UMass Boston. 

Housing

Housing is organized through CEPE: http://www.cepe.unam.mx/cursos_intensivos_espanol.php Go to services, and Accomodation options to register and view UNAM approved home stays and residences. 

VISA

You are responsible for obtaining the correct visa before you travel. Please check the Mexican consulate website to determine if you will need a visa: https://consulmex.sre.gob.mx/boston/index.php/consular-services/62-visas-ingles

Pre-decision Phase Instructions: 
This is a UMass Boston Reciprocal Exchange Program. There are two separate applications. First, students apply to the program by completing this online UMass Boston application. If eligible to study abroad, the UMass Boston Study Abroad Office nominates the student to the university abroad. The student is then informed with a letter or an email about next steps to complete the university's abroad application (online or hard copy forms). Please click here for application instructions.
 
Post-decision Phase Instructions: 
The final decision to accept a student is made by the university abroad and the student will be emailed. Once accepted by the university abroad, UMass Boston students must complete all the requirements indicated by the university abroad, in addition to completing all forms and submitting all the post-acceptance documents to UMass Boston Study Abroad Office. Please click here for instructions and forms.