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Forest Grove Campus
Phone: 503-352-1437
Fax: 503-352-1463
2043 College Way
Forest Grove, OR 97116
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Phone: 541-485-6812
Fax: 541-485-7015
40 E. Broadway St., Suite 250
Eugene, OR 97401
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Woodburn Campus
Phone: 503-352-1443
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Woodburn, OR 97071
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International Programs & Training - Student Teach in Mexico!

At Pacific University, you have the opportunity to participate in an elementary/middle school teaching practicum in Mexico.

In late May, participants travel to Tapalpa, located about 90 minutes south of Guadalajara. Surrounded by forests, lakes, and streams, this alpine town is a haven for artists and the surrounding countryside holds several attractions.

During your three week stay, you'll student teach in grades 1 - 6 or in the local middle school. You will participate in other volunteer services arranged by our partner organization CITAC as well as attend weekly seminars and enjoy weekend cultural excursions.

If you have been admitted to the College of Education for a teacher licensure program, you may use this practicum in Mexico for three weeks of your 18 week student teaching requirement.

Practice your Spanish!
Work with children in schools (or possibly another placement).
Many weekend and evening cultural activities (art, food, music, medicinal herb workshop and more!).
Learn about the lifestyles, culture, and daily activities of the people of Jalisco, Mexico.
Study the forces that lead to migration from the area

Tapalpa: Land of many colors--un Pueblo Mágico. Watch an eight minute video featuring interviews with Pacific students from their three week trip in June 2007 to Tapalpa Mexico, where they worked in the schools of a Mexican town and gained a greater appreciation of Mexican culture.

Curriculum

Section	Course	Credit Hrs
SPAN 367	Practicum in Tapalpa, Mexico	4
EDUC-467G	Practicum in Tapalpa, Mexico	3

For pictures and postings about our last trip search for and join our Facebook group:

“Pacific University Tapalpa 2010”

Application Files

2011 Tapalpa trip

For More Information

Contact Person: Mike Charles, Associate Professor of Education
Email: charlesm@pacificu.edu
Phone: 503-352-1441

Contact Person: Marcus Welsh, Assistant Professor of Spanish
Email: welshme@pacificu.edu

Program Description

Pacific University's Teach in Mexico program is a practicum experience for pre-service and practicing teachers who are seeking a teaching experience in another culture. The goal of the program is to help teachers understand the transitions which Mexican children make in public schools, as well as to provide an opportunity for our teachers to explore their own assumptions about the culturally diverse children they could well be teaching in the future.

Course Objectives

To acquaint students with the children, the classrooms and the schools of rural Mexico
To acquaint students with the Mexican elementary school curriculum, scope, and sequencing of the basic education system
To plan and implement lessons in Spanish
To learn about he lifestyles, culture, and daily activities of the people of Jalisco, Mexico
To study the forces that lead to immigration

Quotes From Students

I had a chance to see some of the differences in teaching [between the United States and Mexico] but also the similarities…
I have really enjoyed the cultural workshops that we did on the weekends, because we got a chance to look into that pre-Columbian culture that I didn’t know a lot about before the trip… these were very authentic experiences.
Working with CITAC and seeing their values was inspiring…teaching students that they have self worth, that they are important, and that they should treat other people the same way as they would like to be treated.