The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) Seminar and Field Trip Program celebrates its 51st trip in 2024! Since 1972, the program has provided more than 600 students a unique educational and cross-cultural immersion experience.
This intensive, two-part program incorporates a cross-cultural homestay with individualized field study. The program is open to undergraduates of any major at the University of Pittsburgh with sufficient Portuguese language proficiency and an interest in Latin American culture. About 15 students will be selected for the program and enroll in a preparatory seminar on campus during the spring of 2024, and then travel to the host country where they will study, live with a host family, and carry out an independent field project during the summer.
Requirements for consideration:
- Candidates are required to be full time, degree seeking undergraduates (from any discipline) maintaining a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors who possess the necessary skills and disposition are welcome apply.
- By the time the field component begins, applicants must possess sufficient Portuguese language proficiency to communicate effectively with their host families, travel independently and carry out their individual projects.
- Most importantly, interested applicants must demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, assimilate to a new culture, and welcome cross-cultural interaction. Selected candidates must be initiative taking, self-directed and comfortable functioning with little supervision.
As an engaged and active participant in this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- Individual field investigations, collecting data and information for evaluation
- A research paper based on the field investigations, observation and data collection
- A better understanding of cross-cultural communication and the challenges and rewards of the international living experience
You'll earn a total of 9 credits on the Center for Latin American Studies Seminar and Field program. You will use the city to conduct your research. You will seek out information through interviews and observations that will allow you to carry out your individual field investiations. You will continue to refine your research skills and techniques that you developed during the spring semester course prior to departure.
In this course you will study:
- Research methods
- Data collection
- Evaluation
-
Professional writing
If you are seeking to count these courses towards a major, minor or certificate, please meet with your academic advisor to discuss this program and what the courses will fulfill for you. Information about how the courses on this program count towards general education requirements for different schools and campuses can be found here.
While living with a host family, you will carry out individual field investigations, collecting data and information for evaluation. The project director will be present throughout the program to provide guidance and direction. Final written project reports will be completed upon return to the US and submitted at a deadline set by the director of the program.
This interdisciplinary seminar is designed to prepare students for their in-country residence experience. Students will examine the history, culture, politics and geography of Manizales and Colombia and their place within Latin American. Issues dealing with cross-cultural communication and the challenges and rewards of the international living experience will be examined. Students will also be guided through the design of individual field projects that they will carry out during their residence experience in May and June.
Items Billed by Pitt |
||
|---|---|---|
| In-State | Out-of-State | |
| Program Cost | $6,034 | $6,234 |
| Study Abroad Fee | $300 | $300 |
| Total Billed by Pitt | $6,334 | $6,534 |
Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information.
As a part of your program fee, the following are included:
- 6-credits of tuition (summer field program)
- Room and Board
- Roundtrip airfare to and from US
- Health Insurance
- Some cultural activities & excursions
Remember that your lifestyle and spending choices can greatly affect the amount of money you'll need while abroad. Visit our Budgeting page for more information.
The CLAS Scholarship Field Program is significantly underwritten by the Center For Latin America Studies (CLAS) .Participants will be responsible for tuition cost and associated fees.Candidates are required to be full time, degree seeking undergraduates (from any discipline) maintaining a minimum of a 2.75 grade point average. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors or seniors who possess the necessary skills and disposition are welcome to apply.
By the time the field component begins, applicants must possess sufficient Portuguese language proficiency to communicate effectively with their host families, travel independently and carry out their individual projects.
Most importantly, interested applicants must demonstrate a willingness to be flexible, assimilate to a new culture, and welcome cross-cultural interaction. Selected candidates must be initiative taking, self-directed and comfortable functioning with little supervision.
Airfare is included in the program fee and includes roundtrip airfare to your host country departing from and arriving at Pittsburgh on the scheduled departure and return dates. All CLAS Seminar & Field students will depart from their host country together, although students may elect to make changes to the location of their domestic (U.S.) return city. Additional changes to the return flight itinerary, including change fees and differences in airfare, are the sole responsibility of the student.