Border Issues Seminar

Concerning the curriculum:
The program is an immersion experience structured around four aspects of the San Diego-Tijuana region: History and Identity, Economy, Politics and Culture.
The activities include lectures, challenging site visits, and intellectually stimulating discussions. Assignments will include essays and journal keeping. On site debriefing and reflection sessions will provide you ample opportunity to process your experiences, explore your reactions and share ideas with the group.

Community service:
As part of the program students will have the opportunity to provide two days of community service in a local agency (NGO).

Baja trip:
The program includes a weekend trip to the Baja California peninsula, to visit the agricultural community of San Quintin and experience Baja's unique Central Desert at Cataviña.

Time and Date:
May 24– June 20, 2009.
Full time: mornings and evenings.
Universidad Iberoamericana.
Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Requirements for participants:
Be currently enrolled in university or college.
Must be fluent in both English and Spanish.
International students should have a valid passport and must obtain a Mexico visitor card (FMT) at a Mexican consulate or at a port of entry to Mexico.
Should have international health insurance.
Cover program fees.
Participate in all scheduled activities.

Costs:
Tuition costs are $1,700 USD and include housing and transportation to and from field trips (also includes Baja trip). Students are responsible for other expenses, such as travel costs, food (approximately $400), books ($45), Mexican visitor card ($20), incidentals and personal expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions
When are the arrival and departure days?
The program lasts four weeks in the summer.
The academic program begins on May the 25th and ends on June the 19th.Students must arrive to Tijuana on Sunday the 24th to check in at school facilities; departure will be on Saturday the 20st.

What are the suggestions for traveling?
We suggest that students fly to San Diego’s (California) airport or travel by car across the border.

What is the student Profile?
The Border Issues program is open to undergraduate students from any field of studies for those currently studying at a university. Participants are required to participate in all scheduled activities. The program is extremely demanding and includes intellectually and emotionally intense activities. All participants must have a valid passport, obtain a Mexican visitor card (obtainable at the Port of Entry or the nearest Mexican Consulate), and have appropriate health insurance.

What will be the content of the program?
The program is an intense learning experience with engaging lectures on contemporary border issues, challenging fieldtrips, emotional site visits, and intellectually stimulating discussions. Assignments will include reflection papers and on site debriefing and reflection sessions will provide you ample opportunity to process your experiences, explore your reactions and share ideas with the group.

What are the language requirements?
The program is conducted currently in Spanish and in English. Be aware that presentations can be taught in either language; therefore, a good level of language comprehension is necessary. Academic essays can be written in English.

Where will students be staying?
All visiting students enrolled in the program, must be staying at school housing, which is next to the university. Every student will share a room with mates from the same program. There are no single occupancies. Transportation from the university to field trips will be provided.

What services are available at the lodging?
In every room there is a complete bathroom and shower, also they are equipped with beds, desks and closet. In the housing complex there is a community hall, dining room and kitchen, where students can prepare their meals.

What other services are available in the university?
Each student will be granted access to the university computer labs. In the campus main building there is wireless internet connection. Students will also have access to a virtual classroom for the program. Other services inside campus are library, stationary, and cafeteria.
What are the costs related of participating in the program?
Tuitions costs are $1,700 US and include housing and transportation to and from field trips (also includes Baja trip). Students are responsible for other expenses, such as travel costs, food (approximately $400), books ($45), Mexican visitor card ($20), incidentals and personal costs.

How do I apply to the program?
Applications for foreign students are now open. Fill in the on line application with the requested information; read the text below and click accept if you agree with the terms of participation in the program. We will be contacting you for follow up.

How do I apply on line?

Go to the on line application button on top of this page.

How do I secure a place in the program?
After the students are contacted and accepted in the program, they must make an advance payment of USD $500 to secure a place in the program.
Can there be credits assigned for participating in the program?
Upon conclusion of the Border Issues Seminar (BIS) the participants will receive a diploma of completion. The academic authority deciding whether or not the BIS is assigned credits will be the participant’s home university or college.

For additional information about the program please contact:

Arq. Melania Santana
Universidad Iberoamericana Tijuana
Ph. 01152 (664) 630 1577 x. 323
melania@tij.uia.mx