Introduction
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Study Abroad Center offers undergraduate students the opportunity to study for the summer in Mendoza, Argentina. On-site, the program is coordinated by Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNC) through the Facultad de Filosofía y Letras.
Application deadline: Feb. 18
Schedule an appointment with a Study Abroad Adviser on STAR Balance.
Informational meetings: TBD
Program dates (2024): May 19 – June 30
Students may choose from courses taught in English and Elementary through Fourth-Level Spanish language courses at Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNC).
Host Institution
The UHM Study Abroad Program in Mendoza is hosted by Universidad Nacional de Cuyo (UNC) through the Facultad de Filosofía y Letras. UNC is a large, prestigious university within the federal education system of Argentina. Thus, students get specialized and individualized attention from faculty at UNC. In addition, students have the great opportunity to delve deeply into Argentine life.
Curriculum
The UHM Summer in Mendoza program provides students an opportunity to fulfill UHM major, minor, elective and foreign language requirements for graduation. The program runs from mid-May through late June. Students can earn up to six UHM Spanish language credits from beginning through advanced levels. Students gain listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in standard Spanish. In addition, lectures on civilization and culture will be given. All students are required to enroll in a total of six credits.
Classes meet five days a week for the entire duration of the program. The Spanish language courses do not replicate any of the course offerings at the Mānoa campus. The language and culture opportunities “in-country” will supplement rather than duplicate current UHM Spanish language offerings. Courses are led by UNC faculty qualified to teach Spanish to English-speaking students. In addition, a course taught in English is available.
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
COURSE OFFERINGS
SPANISH LANGUAGE
- Spanish 101-102 Elementary Spanish (3 cr. each) HSL
- Spanish 258-259 Intermediate Spanish Abroad (3 cr. each) HSL Pre: 102. Fulfills UHM second-year foreign language requirements.
- Spanish 358-359 Third-Level Spanish Abroad (3 cr. each) Pre: 202 or 259 or equivalent. Fulfills UHM upper division elective credit requirements.
- Spanish 458-459 Fourth-Level Spanish Abroad (3 cr. each) Pre: any two of 301, 302, 303, 358, 359, or 360. Fulfills UHM upper division elective credit requirements.
COURSE IN ENGLISH
- English 494 Latin American Film and Literature (3 cr.) DL This course utilizes various texts, short stories, and films from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Courses taken at UNC will appear on UHM transcripts as UHM credits.
FACULTY RESIDENT DIRECTOR
The UHM Study Abroad Center appoints a designated UHM Resident Director when appropriate. The Resident Director oversees students’ academic progress, mentors and/or tutors all participants. All students must participate in experiential learning activities led by the Resident Director, in addition to taking classes at the host institution.
Summer 2025: TBD
Current as of Sep. 10, 2024.
Location
A charming city of 600,000 people, Mendoza is located in the West Central part of Argentina, in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The outdoor cafés and tree-lined avenues attest to the city’s European heritage. Mendoza is a perfect example of a successful combination of Spanish, Italian and indigenous cultures. It offers excellent rail, bus, and air transportation services to all parts of the country, including neighboring Chile.
Experience a Southern Hemisphere winter during our summer season. Mendoza’s temperature range is 35~52°F from May through July, with most days being clear and sunny. There are international ski resorts in the nearby mountains.
Housing
Students will live with an Argentine host family throughout their stay in Mendoza. The homestay includes a single room, three meals a day, and participation in some of the host family activities. The public transportation system in Mendoza is efficient and inexpensive, allowing students to easily commute between school and home.
A major value of the homestay is that it provides students with the opportunity to closely interact and learn from the host country nationals. In addition to taking students beyond the public face of the Argentinean people, the everyday speaking and listening of Spanish in a natural setting facilitates students’ understanding of the culture and enhances language learning.
Excursions
The program fee includes organized day trips, such as a city tour, visits to local wineries and the foundation museums of Mendoza, a “Gauchos/Empanadas” day in the country, and a hiking outing. On an overnight excursion to Uspallata Valley in the Andes, students will see Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Americas, and visit Puente del Inca and Tunduqueral, important Incan historic sites.
Photos
Program Cost
| Summer 2024 | Summer 2025 |
| $5,618 | TBD |
Please see the budget sheet for more information.
Cost includes Universidad Nacional de Cuyo tuition, housing fees, all meals, excursions, airport pick-up, orientation, health insurance, local transportation, UHM Study Abroad and other incidental fees.
Roundtrip airfare between Honolulu and Mendoza is not included; students have the option of taking the flight arranged by Third Eye Travel or making their own reservations.
FINANCIAL AID
FOR UHM STUDENTS ONLY: In order to receive financial aid, please ensure that either: a) you are receiving financial aid during the preceding semester, or b) that you complete the Financial Aid application during the current semester. www.hawaii.edu/fas
NON-UHM STUDENTS (those attending other colleges and universities during the regular school year) must apply for financial aid at their home institutions.
SCHOLARSHIP
See the Money Matters & Resources page for a list of possible scholarships.
Admission Requirements
Students are eligible to study abroad as early as the second semester of their Freshman year or later.
The program is designed primarily for undergraduate students interested in studying the Spanish language at the beginner through advanced levels, and Argentine culture. The minimum requirement is a cumulative GPA of 3.0. However, students with a lower GPA may be considered in exceptional cases. Non-native English-speaking students must have taken the TOEFL exam within the last two years and earned a composite score of 600+ or have passed the UHM ELI placement exam.
Admission to the program is selective. All applicants for the program will be judged on their academic performance, reasons for wishing to attend the program, flexibility, and sensitivity to other cultures, and ability to adjust to a new cultural setting.
Immediately upon acceptance to the program, students are required to pay a $500.00 non-refundable initial payment to ensure a place in the program. The initial payment will be applied toward the cost of the program.
Please note that students accepted to the program are required to attend three mandatory pre-departure class sessions totaling 12 hours. Failure to attend will result in students being withdrawn from the program.
Application
A completed Study Abroad Center application and two academic references must be received by the Study Abroad Center to receive consideration.
Students from outside the UH System must also submit official transcripts from every college attended.
The Study Abroad Center is closed on weekends, and Federal and State holidays.