Indigenous Politics, Service, and Development in the Andes
Location: Cochabamba, Bolivia
Dates: February 6 – May 7, 2010
Faculty Leader: Dr. Eric Hartman
Academic Credits: 6 Political Science, 6 Spanish, 3 History
Service Opportunities: Working with children at a local orphanage, working with children with disabilities, interning at a foundation increasing access to safe water, and possible opportunities to support ongoing Amizade school-building projects.
Housing: Comfortable homestays with Cochabambino families
Travel Highlights: Program includes trips to the Incallajta Incan Ruins, The Uyuni Salt Flats, Lake Titicaca, Isla del Sol, and La Paz
Overview
Spend a semester living with a family in Cochabamba, Bolivia (Bolivia’s third largest city, encircled by the breathtaking Andes Mountains); study Spanish and contemporary Latin American history and politics; serve 12+ hours per week for a local nonprofit organization; and explore the country and culture through field trips and community events.
Academic Courses
Bolivia 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. Students are accommodated at all levels of language learning, from introductory to advanced. The remaining three courses are International Development and Global Service-Learning (political science credits), and Contemporary Latin American History. 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, local social service efforts, and international dilemmas. Political Science and History courses are taught in English by local and expatriate instructors.
Integrated Community Service
You will have a number of service opportunities in human needs or environmental services. Amizade has long-term relations with several organizations that work with children and youth with disabilities. Recently, Amizade has developed opportunities with organizations working to improve access to safe water among the region’s economically marginalized people. You will be placed with the organization of your choice taking into account your experience and the needs of the organizations.
Location
Amizade has maintained partnerships with community organizations in Cochabamba, Bolivia for more than twelve years. Cochabamba is located in a highland plateau and boasts of a perfect climate with a daytime seasonal average of 72 F with no humidity. Cochabamba is a bustling city of more than 600,000 people, home to many beautiful plazas, fountains, churches, and the largest open-air market in the Americas. Despite the beautiful scenery and perfect climate, Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in all of the Americas and faces a variety of social and economic challenges.
As a Bolivia semester student, you will have opportunities to experience both the urban and rural aspects of the region with field trips and excursions to regional cities, Inca ruins, and local festivals. Your homestay accommodations with local families will allow for deeper language learning and understanding about local life and culture. You’ll improve your Spanish, and you’ll learn about development from a Professor with substantial applied and academic experience working with community organizations around the world and, especially, in Latin America. You’ll enjoy Cochabamba’s famously pleasant and sunny environment, where residents regularly gather under palms to discuss politics and life in plazas ringed by sixteenth century Spanish buildings.
Program Fee: $10,700*
Apply Now to Ensure Your Spot (pdf)
Program Tuition Includes:
- Course delivery and instruction accredited through West Virginia University
- Arranged home stay with a local family and housing during field trips
- Two meals per day at home stay families (Breakfast and lunch, the large family meal in Bolivia)
- 3 meals per day during field trips
- Multiple 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
- Applicable passport or visa fees
- Supplemental meals
- Personal spending money
*West Virginia University students automatically receive a $1,825 scholarship toward the Bolivia Semester Program. West Virginia Promise Scholarship funding may be applied toward program costs and Eberly College Students are eligible for Enrichment Grants.
