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International Perspectives: Xicotepec

Fast Facts

Sessions Offered:

Spring Break

Location:

Xicotepec, Mexico

Credit:

1 s.h., Resident

Program Features

UI Faculty-Led

Eligibility:

Good academic and disciplinary standing

Application Due:

Oct 10, 2023 (Dentistry)

Oct 20, 2023 (Public Health)

Academic Program

Photo of student with local children
photo of mural in town

This interdisciplinary service-learning course is co-sponsored by the University of Iowa and District 6000 of Rotary International. Readings and classroom sessions will focus on service-learning, teamwork, intercultural competence, Mexican culture and history, project planning and development, as well as analyzing, reporting and presenting as a team.

In collaboration with Rotarians and local community members, students will work in teams to develop and execute discipline-specific projects that address community-identified needs in Xicotepec de Juarez, Puebla, Mexico.

This course includes travel to Xicotepec, Mexico over Spring Break (1 s.h.).

Additionally, the course meets twice weekly on campus throughout the Spring Semester (2 s.h.). Permission of the course instructor in your College is required.

Work & Partnership

The Xicotepec Project is a humanitarian, community-development project sponsored by the Rotary Club of Xicotepec and Rotary District 6000 of Iowa. The project began in 2002 and has involved not only Rotarians and their families, but also many high-school and university students. Project team members have a commitment to humanitarian service and participate enthusiastically throughout their week in Xicotepec.

The main purpose of the course is to work on selected projects sponsored by the Xicotepec Rotary Club. Rotary helps support and execute projects that address some of the most urgent needs in the community, including construction, dental and medical care, and education. Participants may be asked to perform several different jobs during the week.

Faculty Directors

Public Health / Section :0001
Paul Gilbert and Sophie Switzer

Dentistry / Section :0003
Steven Levy and Jennifer Sukalski

Program Dates

Travel to Xicotepec, Mexico over Spring Break:
March 9-17, 2024

For More Information

For more information about this program please contact the appropriate Faculty Director listed above. The program is coordinated in Study Abroad by Ryan Ourada (ryan-ourada@uiowa.edu)

Xicotepec, Mexico

photo of neighborhood in town, houses

Xicotepec is a mountainous city of 90,000 located northeast of Mexico City. The city is known for its abundant vegetation, so it is no surprise that in the central square of the town, you can see colorful arrays of flowers and trees pruned to resemble human or animal figures.

Along with plants, coffee is another main product of Xicotepec, giving the city the pleasant aroma of fresh flowers and roasted coffee beans.

The city offers a unique combination of the communion of the pre-Hispanic and colonial times. La Parroquia de San Juan Bautista has a Gothic majesty that resembles the famous Parisian Cathedral of Notre Dame; this architectural piece coexists harmoniously with a colossal stone structure of over thirteen tons known as La Xochipila, a vestige of the pre-Hispanic city of Xicotepec and the celebration center of the current city, where the structure comes alive with color and mysticism during the holidays.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Meals

All meals will be planned by Rotary and are included in the cost of the program.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Important notice for students without a valid passport or whose passport will expire within the next 12 months:

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements

Flights are included in the cost of the program and all students and faculty will fly to Mexico together from the Chicago O'Hare (ORD) airport. A bus will be provided to get to Chicago.

Local Transportation

All transfers to/from airport and to/from project sites in Mexico are arranged by Rotary and included in the program cost.

Eligibility

Eligibility varies by section. Please contact the appropriate Faculty Director for more information.

All participants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa.

Cost

The estimated cost of the 2024 Spring Break course is $2,700, plus the $50 application fee.

The cost includes:

  • Airfare to and from Mexico
  • Instruction
  • 1 semester hour of credit
  • Meals in Mexico
  • Transportation in Mexico

Billed separately: CISI travel insurance ($1.29 per day)

The application fee ($50) is billed when application is submitted. The course cost is billed to participating students' u-bills after registration for the course.

Other out-of-pocket expenses could include passport fee, medical checks or immunizations, and personal expenses.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Undergraduate applicants are encouraged to apply for Need-based, Merit, and other scholarships awarded by Study Abroad. More information is available on the Study Abroad website.

Financial aid received to attend the University of Iowa (scholarships, grants, and loans) may be applied toward the program cost. Students are encouraged to speak with someone in Financial Aid to explore financial aid options.

How to Apply

1) Students should first meet with the appropriate Faculty Director to discuss their interest and eligibility for this course. This should take place before the application deadline.

Public Health / Section :0001
Paul Gilbert and Sophie Switzer

Dentistry / Section :0003
Steven Levy and Amy Lesch

2) Following the discussion with a Faculty Director, students must complete a Study Abroad Application for the course. The application process requires a copy of the information page of your passport (or ticking a box that indicates you are applying for a passport).

UI Study Abroad Application

3) Once students have been accepted by their Faculty Director and Study Abroad, they will be asked to submit a Study Abroad Confirmation of Particiipation Form and also complete an application through the Rotary District 6000 website. Instructions for both of these steps will be emailed to students in an acceptance letter.

Application Deadline

Study Abroad Application:

October 10, 2023 (Dentistry)

October 20, 2023 (Public Health)

Following acceptance from Study Abroad, the Rotary Application deadline is November 13, 2023.

Confirmation Materials

Next Steps:

  • After applying (application deadline is October 10) and receiving an Acceptance Letter from Study Abroad, complete the Confirmation of Participation form and upload to the Study Abroad application portal.
    Confirmation Deadline: October 24

  • Submit the Rotary Application through the Rotary District 6000 website.
    Deadline: November 13

You should also:

  • Confirm your passport is currently valid and does not expire before November 2023. If you do not have a valid passport, please apply or renew immediately.
  • Review Financial Aid information PDFUI Financial Aid Information
  • Note that participation in this program is contingent upon being in good academic and disciplinary standing at the time of departure.

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:

Orientation

To prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs ICON course “Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation” prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals, and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions, you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu.

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your faculty director and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your faculty director will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.