Are you interested in studying abroad while at UMD?
The deadline to apply for UMD faculty-led winter term and spring break 2015 programs is October 1, 2015.
For complete listings and application information, visit the Education Abroad website here. LASC offers elective credit for many of the courses taking place in Latin America and is cross-listed with the classes below.
As a reminder, an interest meeting is being held this evening, 9/24, 7-9pm, in 1107 Benjamin Building for students interested in the El Salvador’s Children: Risk, Poverty, and Educationprogram.
An interest meeting for Dominican Republic: Global Service in the Dominican Republic program will be held on Monday, 9/28, 4-5pm, Dorchester Hall Basement Lounge.
Winter 2015
This winter, study local politics in Latin America from within. The political landscape of Latin America has changed dramatically in the last twenty five years, as most authoritarian regimes in the region gave way to democratic ones. In these democratic environments, political conflicts have increasingly emerged between national and local political institutions. In this course you will explore the tensions between federal and local politics in the third largest federal country of Latin America: Argentina. The seminar will combine class lectures, cultural immersion, and considerable on-the-ground interaction with scholars, activists, and politicians in the Pampas and Patagonia.
Brazil: Doing Business in Brazil: A Look at the Growing Economy - BMGT448P/LASC448P
Doing Business in Brazil: A Look at a Growing Economy will explore business in Brazil from an economic and financial standpoint. You will compare business in Brazil to business in the U.S. primarily through research on economic and financial factors. You will visit a variety of businesses – in differing industries, U.S. companies doing business in Brazil, local and global Brazilian companies and financial institutions. Meetings with top government officials, senior executives and industry experts will provide you with a better understanding of market entry strategies, government procedures, business practices and specific business opportunities in Brazil, skills which are transferable to doing business in a variety of locations around the world. Substantive presentations in Brazil will give you an understanding of differing views on topics such as international financial arrangements, trade policies, taxation and government spending policies, government subsidies, and demographic and labor market issues including immigration.
Explore sustainability and entrepreneurship next winter in Curitiba, Brazil. As the Winner of the 2013 World City Award, Curitiba is known for its sustainability and high quality of life. With a population of 1.8 million, the city supports a rich and varied urban life with numerous man-made lakes, and more green space and parks than any other city in southern Brazil. Experts from around the world go to Curitiba to study its efficient and inexpensive public transportation system and its innovative approach to recycling. Curitiba is also the most digitally connected city in Brazil. On this program, you will have the opportunity to visit city agencies and the people who have planned and implemented a plethora of sustainable programs developed since the 1970s. These visits will be accompanied by field trips to program sites for first hand observation. Visits to other university and private organizations will connect you to the entrepreneurial environment and initiatives in Curitiba, giving special attention to micro, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) that constitute 98% of Brazilian firms. You will also learn about Brazilian culture and visit some of the city's innovative projects in poverty reduction, decentralized service delivery through "Citizenship Streets", as well as environmental and mobile market programs. You will learn about sustainability and entrepreneurship directly through participation in service programs in many of the NGOs of the city.
This unique course gives you the opportunity to explore multiple islands in the southern Caribbean and the significance of each one's heritage, culture, and physical geography. Subject to wind and tides, the itinerary begins with an embarkation from the island of Grenada followed by a cruise through the Grenadines to Bequia and back, at which point you will spend 3-4 days on the “Spice Island” of Grenada, exploring this English-heritage island. This program is specifically designed to afford you as a student geographer the opportunity to study first-hand the remarkable physical and cultural geography of southern Caribbean islands.
This course is an introduction to contemporary Chilean society and culture. It will provide you with the tools necessary to understand how international circumstances and Chile's social and economic tensions resulted in the 1973 coup d'etat and ensuing military dictatorship. The course emphasizes the creativity and cohesive power of many different un-trained individuals and groups who, despite their dissident status, developed effective community-based strategies for survival and found ways oppose the regime through a series of solidary engagements. Through each of these experiences, you will learn about the Chilean people and the social movements that contributed to the defeat of Pinochet's dictatorship and the restoration of democracy in Chile.
Global Service in the Dominican Republic is grounded on the premise that community service is a valuable response to social problems faced by marginalized populations. Once in the Dominican Republic, you will engage in several types of service projects: education and environmental conservation. Over the course of the program, you will live with host families to maximize your cross-cultural communication and skill-building opportunities. **Interest meeting being held on Monday, September 28, from 4-5 pm in Dorchester Hall’s basement lounge**
This winter, take a blended approach to learning about Ecuadorian history and culture through both formal classes and excursions to key cultural sites. By studying the socio-spatial configuration of the colonial city as exemplified by Quito, you will be immersed in the art, architecture, and other cultural legacies of Ecuador. This course will interrogate the European influence on urban design and representations of America. Understanding this colonial past, enhances the understanding of the Modern History of the Andean Region and Latin America as a whole.
Working in collaboration with the University of Cuenca, this course explores the uses of technologies among indigenous and rural communities in Ecuador. After earning a Spanish certificate, you will have the opportunity to visit and collaborate with host communities in Shiña, discussing current and historical uses of technology, particularly as they address social issues such as education, food security, climate change, and sustainable development. You will work alongside Ecuadorian peers to get a firsthand look at how technology has been and continues to be an important component of rural, indigenous life in Ecuador.
Learn about the culture and history of El Salvador through this service-learning experience. Tackle the issue of intergenerational poverty and how it relates to education, migration patterns, and daily life of children and adults. As you embark on a project to promote educational and social opportunity, you will live alongside local Salvadorans to experience the lifestyle and culture in rural El Salvador. By understanding the social and cultural context, you will also better understand how to serve a growing population of Latino children and families now living in the United States. **Interest meeting held today, 9/24, from 7-9pm in Benjamin Building - Room 1107**
Spring 2015
Join “Microfinance in Action” during Spring Break 2015 and impact real businesses with your business knowledge. In this course, you will be paired with Nicaraguan students from Universidad Americana, a bilingual business college, to work on consulting projects for local organizations as well as local entrepreneurs. This year, you will work in a team to expand and continue consulting services to other microfinance organizations. You will also extend and continue consulting services to new local entrepreneurs by developing business plans, revising business strategies, and reorganizing business structures.
