In the summer of 1996, an exciting collaborative relationship between the Holy Cross Latin American Studies Program and the Instituto de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades at the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla was established to create a Study Abroad Program for Holy Cross students and to facilitate the collaboration and exchange of faculty between the two programs. 

The Study Abroad in Puebla Program offers serious Holy Cross students with a strong interest in Latin American Studies the opportunity to spend a year in Puebla, Mexico, allowing them to develop a deeper understanding of Mexican reality through academic study with faculty from Mexico and other Latin American nations and by experiencing Mexican life on a daily basis. Students will get to know the warmth and richness of Mexican culture by living with a carefully selected Mexican family and by studying and relaxing with Mexican students and faculty. 

Location and Facilities:
The city of Puebla, capital of the state of Puebla, lies approximately two hours by bus southeast of Mexico city, within view of the beautiful volcanoes Popocatepetl and Ixtlacihuatl. Puebla is a colonial city, built by the Spanish in an apartheid-like relationship with the nearby indigenous community of Cholula, which contains interesting archeological sites.  Puebla is a lively cultural center, famous for its ornate talavera pottery, its cuisine, and its important place in history. It has interesting architecture and a lively Zócalo, where people sit day and night at outdoor cafes listening to marimba bands. 

The Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla is one of the most prestigious public universities in Mexico, with a rich cultural program, 23 libraries, a large, modern sports complex, a museum, and beautiful architecture. The sports complex and math and science complex are located at the University City on the outskirts of Puebla. The programs in the social sciences and humanities are located in the center of the city. 

The Instituto de Ciencias Sociales y Humanidades: The Institute for Social Sciences and Humanities (ICSyH) at the University, where Holy Cross students will find their academic "home," sits in the center of Puebla in a beautiful colonial building with rooms surrounding a courtyard. Nearby is the Facultad de Letras y Filosofía, where students may take classes (see Academic Program). The Institute is only a block or two from the Zócalo, the University's Museum, and an artisan's flee market that is held each weekend. The Institute offers post-graduate courses in Linguistics, Sociology, and History and includes 94 research specialists in literature, history, anthropology, sociology, politics, and Latin American studies. 

Academic Program:
Students will take a year-long language support course as one-fourth of their course load. Another one-fourth of their load will be a year-long research-tutorial, working one-on-one with an Institute faculty member (see areas, below). Two courses per semester can be taken at one of the many excellent departments at the University (see below), or, qualified students may enroll in one of the Institute's post-graduate seminars.  Academic Calendar.

Courses taken so far at Puebla for Holy Cross credit

Independent Cultural Immersion Project (ICIP):
Successful completion of the ICIP, in addition to the required course load, is necessary.

Examples of Faculty Research

• "Narrative Voices in Mexican Literary Texts"
• "Composition of Evangelical Texts"
• "Gender and Ethnicity in Guatemala"
• "Social Ethics and Development"
• "Culture and Private Lives of Pueblan Workers"
• "The Poetry of the Oral Tradition"
• "The Volcano Cult among Indigenous People"
• "The Art and Architecture of Puebla"
• "Urban Popular Movements in Mexico" 

• Social Anthropology
• Introduction to Archeology
• Political Anthropology
• Contemporary Hispanic Literature
• Sociology and Literature
• Seminar in Literary Analysis
• History of Mesoamerica
• Mexican Historiography
• The Mexican Revolution
• Philosophy in Mexico
• Human Rights
• Urban Sociology
• Political Sociology of Mexico
• Politics of Latin America 

Living Arrangements:
As with all Study Abroad Programs where a second language is required, students will be placed with carefully-selected families, where they will receive three meals per day. Students are expected to become a part of their host family's daily life, as much as possible. 

Cultural Tutors:
Students will be matched with a Mexican student with similar interests to help them become acculturated to the life and culture and daily survival strategies in the city of Puebla. For the first four-to-six weeks, each Holy Cross student and their tutor will explore the city together, getting to know the bus lines, coffee houses, discos, theaters, museums, and cultural centers. 

Orientation Program:
Students will receive an orientation program to the University and to Puebla and will work closely with an academic advisor who has experience helping students adjust to a new cultural experience and immersion in a second language. As undergraduate classes begin at the University in mid-August, this orientation will likely take place while students are beginning their course work. The research tutorial and classes at the Institute will not begin until early September, allowing time for students to adjust to their families, the University, and the city before beginning their full academic load. 

How To Apply:

Sept.-Oct Study Abroad Orientation and special Latin American Studies Orientation to Puebla Program (watch for dates). Late Oct. Special pre-registration advising for applicants to Puebla Program. Dec. 1 Deadline for application, available in Study Abroad Office, Smith 217. Jan. Interviews of finalists. Feb. Notification of applicants. March Advising for students going to Puebla. Mid-Aug. Students arrive in Puebla; undergraduate classes and orientation begin.

• Prof. Isabel Alvarez-Borland, Director
• Prof. Josep Alba-Salas, Modern Languages
• Prof. Ricardo Dobles, Education
• Prof. Daniel Frost, Modern Languages
• Prof. Osvaldo Golijov, Music
• Prof. Carolyn Howe, Sociology
• Prof. Oneka LaBennett, Anthropology
• Prof. Esther Levine, Modern Languages
• Prof. James Nickoloff, Religious Studies
• Prof. Maria Rodrigues, Political Science
• Prof. Nicolas Sanchez, Economics
• Prof. Cynthia Stone, Modern Languages
• Prof. Jorge Valdes, Modern Languages

Study Abroad Contact Person:

Professor Karen Sweetland-Dion - Assistant Director

For pictures, follow this link.