WT Mexico: Sexual and Gender Diversity Movements in Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico; Teotihuacan, Mexico

Program Terms:

Winterterm

Dates / Deadlines:

Term	Year	App Deadline	Decision Date	Start Date	End Date
Winterterm	2012	11/01/2011**	Rolling Admission	01/03/2012	01/22/2012
** Admissions for the program are made on a rolling basis, and applications will not be reviewed until they are complete. Early application is advisable.

Program Description:

What's the scoop?

This course will enhance student understanding of how business, education, and activism each can play a role in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) social and political movements, particularly in the context of Mexico City. Mexico City is the home to some of the most vibrant queer communities in the world. It is one of the world's largest cities, a place full of opportunities, contradictions, and outliers. Mexico City has made major political gains for LGBTQ communities, including rights for transgender people to change their legal documentation and the right to marry for same-sex couples.

This program is primarily situated in Mexico City. We will visit various businesses, museums, and organizations. Museum visits will include the National Anthropological Museum and the Frida Kahlo Blue House. There will also be a day trip to the giant pyramids at Teotihuacan.

What course will I take?

Accepted students will be enrolled in LGBT 398M Sexual and Gender Diversity Movements in Mexico City for three (3) credits.

Where will I stay?

Students will stay at a hotel in or near the Zona Rosa, the LGBTQ district of the city, also known for being a particularly safe area with many tourists. Travel within the city will be primarily walking, by metro, and occasionally by bus, with expenses covered by the students. The program will provide for bus travel to excursions further afield.

Who's here to help?

Nick Sakurai, M.A., M.B.A. is the Associate Director in the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Equity at the University of Maryland. Sakurai has been highly active on LGBTQ issues for over a decade in both the U.S. and abroad. A more comprehensive biography can be found at http://lgbt.umd.edu/nsakurai.html

Click the "Contact us" link on the top of the page should you have any questions.

What are the costs?

The Winter 2012 Program fee is $2975.

Included: UMD tuition (same for every student), $250 Education Abroad fee, lodging and travel within the country.

Not included: personal expenses, meals, trip insurance and international airfare.

Education Abroad will suggest a group flight itinerary that each student is responsible for purchasing independently. Although flight costs are not guaranteed and will vary, we will make every effort to keep airfare to a minimum. Students are advised to purchase refundable tickets and travel insurance to counter any inconvenience caused by a change in the program's itinerary. Once admitted, you should expect to purchase the flight for the program a few weeks later, usually in mid-October.

Payment information
The program fee is divided into four separate charges over the course of the fall semester:

(1) A non-refundable $50 application fee is payable online at the time of application via MyEA.
(2) Upon admission, a $250 non-refundable deposit is paid online via MyEA. Applicants: if admitted to the program, you are responsible for paying this deposit, which is non-refundable under any circumstances.
(3) UMD $250 Study Abroad Fee charged to the student's UMD account, and
(4) The remaining balance will be charged simultaneously to the student's UMD account upon registration for the course.

All four charges add up to the published program fee.

Anything else I need to know?

January 3-5, 2012: pre-departure teleconferences/online course work
January 7-22, 2012: on-site in Mexico