Indigenous Politics, Service and Development
Title: Indigenous Politics, Service and Development
Location: Bolivia
Credits:15 credits: 6 political science, 6 Spanish, and 3 History
Program Overview
Semesters include long-term service placements, continuous language learning and cultural immersion, and coursework examining the structure behind the issues people face in the Andes today. Students have home stays with local families and serve with local nonprofit organizations. Read on to learn about the courses you’ll take, the service you’ll complete, and the region you’ll call home.
Academic Courses
Service-learning semester students enroll in five courses worth three credits each, to earn a total of fifteen credits during the term. Six credits are dedicated to Spanish language courses, and students will be accommodated at all levels of language learning, from introductory to advanced. The remaining three courses are International Development, Global Service-Learning, and Contemporary Issues. Together, these courses are designed to provide theoretical and historical perspectives on international and regional political and ethical concerns, with a particular focus on the role of indigenous politics in the region today. The Global Service-Learning course focuses on the relationship between individual ethics, localized service efforts, and international dilemmas. Courses will be taught in English by local and US instructors.
Integrated Community Service
Students participating in the semester have a number of service options and opportunities. They may select to volunteer in human or environmental services. In the area of human services, Amizade has long-term relations with several youth-serving organizations. Recently, Amizade has developed opportunities in environmental stewardship. Students interested in environmental service may choose to help with sustainable development or environmental advocacy. Students will be placed in the program of their choice in coordination with their experience and the needs of the organization with which they wish to work. It is recommended that upon acceptance to the Andean semester program students indicate their service preferences so that Amizade may coordinate these with the appropriate organizations prior to arrival.
Location
Amizade has maintained a partnership in Cochabamba, Bolivia for over ten years. Recent developments have caused Amizade to move the semester program to Ecuador to ensure safety and security. Amizade’s current programming takes place in and around Quito, the world’s 2nd highest capital, nestled in the Andes Mountains at over 9,000 feet. Programming will take place in Ecuador until the US State Department Travel Warning is lifted for Bolivia. Amizade longs to return to work with its partners in Cochabamba, where the current situation on the ground is calm, safe, and secure.
Bolivia’s third largest city, Cochabamba, is surrounded by the breath-taking Andes Mountains and boasts of a perfect climate with a daytime seasonal average of 72 F with no humidity. Cochabamba is a bustling city of 400,000 people, home to many beautiful plazas, fountains, churches, and the largest open-air market in the Americas, La Cancha. Despite the beautiful scenery and perfect climate, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in all of the Americas. Cochabamba faces major problems such as shortages of water for farming, poor soil, and lack of industry.
An Andean Semester offers students opportunities to experience both the urban and rural aspects of the region, with field trips and excursions to regional cities, Inca ruins, and several local festivals. Students will have home stay accommodations with local families, allowing for deeper language learning and understanding about local life and culture. Both cities are famously pleasant and sunny; residents regularly gather under palms to discuss politics and life in plazas ringed by sixteenth century Spanish buildings.
Program Fee:
$8950 (before 6/1)*
$9200 (before 7/1)**
$9450 (after 7/1)
* Students who are accepted and hold their place with a non-refundable $500 deposit by May 1, 2009 receive a $500 tuition discount.
** Students who are accepted and hold their place with a non-refundable $500 deposit by July 1, 2009 receive a $250 tuition discount.
Program Tuition Includes:
- 15 undergraduate academic credits through West Virginia University
- Arranged home stay with a local family and housing during field trips
- Two meals per day at home stay families & 3 meals per day during field trips
- Three field trips during semester and scheduled educational, cultural and service activities
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance
Additional Program Related Expenses:
- Airfare to Cochabamba, Bolivia and travel related expenses
- Course textbooks, course packet and materials
- Supplemental meals
- Personal spending money
* Fees do not include airfare, passport or visa costs, or immunizations.