International Student Teaching Opportunities: Mexico
Location:
Colegio Bachilleres del Estado de Oaxaca in Oaxaca, Mexico
Program Information:
Preparing for Placement
Travel Dates
Cost Estimates
Program Faculty Advisors:
Susan Huss-Lederman
Department of Languages & Literatures
WH 1002A
Tel. 262-472-5797
Email: hussleds@uww.edu
Program Duration:
8 weeks during the Fall or Spring semester.
Program Requirements and Application Procedures:
- This program is open to students who are pursuing licensure in Teaching English as a Second Language, Bilingual Education, Spanish, or who have advanced proficiency in Spanish.
- Obtain a Student Teaching abroad Permission Form from Winther Hall, Room 2036. Follow the instructions exactly as noted on the Form!
- Schedule an appointment with a program Faculty Advisor.
- Schedule an appointment with Kevin Spears, Assistant Director for Education Abroad, Office of International Education & Programs, Tel. 262-472-5759, Email: spearsk@uww.edu
- Program participants must enroll in UW-W CIGENRL 470 Student Teaching
- Schedule a pre-departure orientation meeting with the UW-W Office of International Education and Programs by calling Ext. 5759.
Planning a UW-Whitewater Student Teaching Placement in Oaxaca, Mexico
Housing:
Students must make housing arrangements in Oaxaca, Mexico before accepting a student teaching placement in a Mexican academic high school. Housing arrangements are facilitated via the UW-W Office of International Education and Programs. Homestays and furnished apartments are options.
Payments:
UW-W student teachers are billed for mandatory UW System health insurance and UW System Contingency Fee directly via their student account. Students pay separately for housing/meal plan. Obtaining a U.S. passport , and the optional International Student ID card are the responsibility of the student teacher. The Office of International Education and Programs can assist student teachers with many of these items.
Travel to Mexico:
We suggest that students travel together both for companionship and for cost savings. Students will have a chance to meet and discuss travel plans at UW-Whitewater. The schedule provides a few days to explore the country and become acclimated before starting the student teaching placement, and students traveling in groups have found reasonably priced accommodations in Oaxaca. Students have had success with several local travel agencies in arranging reasonably priced airfares. (They have also discovered that online ticket agencies may have lower prices, but only for restricted tickets, and that the personal service of a traditional travel agent has been helpful especially for those new to international travel.)
Supervision:
The teaching placement is facilitated and supervised by faculty working for Colegio Bachilleres del Estado de Oaxaca. They have been prepared to supervise international student teachers. UW-Whitewater faculty make on-site visits to supervise placements.
Cultural Background:
A thoughtful website devoted to the many cultures of Oaxaca can be found at http://www.planeta.com/oaxaca.html. Please contact Susan Huss-Lederman for recommendations on books to read and opportunities to study Spanish at the Universidad Autónoma de Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO). UW-Whitewater and UABJO have an agreement that fosters faculty and student exchanges.
Recommended Steps for Prospective Program Participants:
First Step: Obtain a Student Teaching Abroad Permission Form from Winther Hall, Room 2036 and obtain permission signatures as noted on the Form.
Second Step: Schedule a Study Abroad advisement appointment with Mr. Kevin Spears, Assistant Director for Education Abroad. Mr. Spears can be reached at Ext. 5759.
Third Step: Apply for a U.S. Passport.
Fourth Step: Via the UW-Whitewater Office of International Education and Programs, apply for the International Student Teacher Program* and secure housing in Oaxaca.
Fifth Step: Purchase airline ticket.
Sixth Step: Prepare your resume and letter of introduction according to instructions provided by the Office of Field Experiences. You will use this as your introduction to your cooperating teacher and principal in Mexico once your placement has been confirmed.
* this includes placement at a Mexican school, supervisory visits, orientation to the schools, and seminar meetings, etc.
For more information about the application process, please contact:
Mrs. Cheryl Wegner
WH 2036
Tel. 262-472-1935
Program Application Deadlines:
The deadlines for students to notify Cheryl Wegner that they plan to student teach abroad are:
- February 15th (those who are planning to student teach the following fall)
- September 15th (those who are planning to student teach the following spring)
The deadlines for students to turn in the Permission to Student Teach Abroad form to Cheryl Wegner are:
- March 1st (those who are planning to student teach the following fall semester)
- October 1st (those who are planning to student teach the following spring semester)
Student Teaching Assignment & Placement:
Student teaching placements are in English as a Foreign Language or other content specialty areas at the high school level. Contact a Program Faculty Advisor for more information about the placement process. Students complete eight weeks of accelerated student teaching in a Wisconsin school before beginning the student teaching assignment in Oaxaca.
Student Teacher Supervision:
A COBAO teacher with a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction from UW-Whitewater supervises placements and meets with student teachers on a regular basis. A university faculty member will visit student teachers on-site during the student teaching experience.
Program Course Registration and Enrollment:
UW-W College of Education: CIGENRL 470 Student Teaching Seminar
Passport and Visas:
A valid U.S. Passport is required in order to participate in this student teaching program. A Mexican visa is not required.
U.S. Passport Application Information: http://www.uww.edu/international/studyabroad/passport.html
Housing/Lodging:
The Office of International Education & Programs will assist program participants with housing arrangements in Oaxaca.
Estimated Program Cost:
The total cost for Program participants is estimated to be $3,000 in addition to regular UW-Whitewater fees. This estimated cost includes, roundtrip airfare from Chicago, housing/lodging while in Oaxaca, 2 meals per day, local transportation, internet access, and one week of travel after the student teaching experience has concluded. Spending on optional travel and other optional personal expenses (clothing, eating out, etc.) can vary greatly, and can add several hundred dollars to this estimate. Students are advised to budget carefully for such optional expenses.
Participants in the Mexican Student Teaching program are financial-aid eligible. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information. Tel. 262-472-1130
Study Abroad Scholarship & Wisconsin State Grand for Study Abroad Information:
For information about study abroad scholarship and the Wisconsin State Grant for Study Abroad and for deadlines and applications process, please use the link below:
http://www.uww.edu/international/studyabroad/funding/uww_schol.html