Nicaragua Faculty-Led Immersion Academics

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a currently enrolled, degree-seeking, undergraduate student. You need to be in good academic, conduct and financial standing. You also need to have a cumulative GPA of 2.3. You must maintain enrollment and continue to meet the academic standing and GPA requirements the semester prior to departure. You may apply as a first year student, but must have at least sophomore standing by the time the program begins. Students from all academic disciplines are welcome to apply. This program is also open to non-UWEC* students. Please note that in the case of a competitive selection process, priority will be given to UWEC students.

It is preferred that students have taken at least one college-level Spanish language course prior to the program. If you have never taken Spanish, you will need to enroll in Spanish 101 for the fall semester before travel. Or, there is the option to take Spanish classes when in Nicaragua. 

*Non-UWEC students are not eligible for Blugold Commitment FLIIE funding, and will pay non-resident tuition fees if applicable. 

Course Information

The course in Nicaragua is WMNS 422 Advanced Travel Seminar: Women's Lives and Experiences (3 credits). 

Liberal Education/General Education Requirements

For students in catalog years 2016-17 and later, this program fulfills the Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives requirement upon completion of all course assignments. 

For students in catalog years through 2015-16, this program fulfills GE-III and 3 credits of the Foreign Culture requirement upon successful program completion (students earning a B.A., B.F.A. or B.M degree in the College of Arts & Sciences cannot use study abroad to fulfill their foreign language/foreign culture requirement. See the university catalog for details).

Immersion Requirement (for Spanish and Latin American Studies majors/minors)

This program can potentially fulfill half (3 weeks) of the immersion requirement for Spanish or Latin American Studies majors/minors. However, for this program to count towards the immersion requirement, you should be placed with a monolingual host family that speaks Spanish and be the only English speaking student in the household. This must be indicated and approved shortly after you are accepted into the program. 

Academic Calendar

The program dates are normally the first three weeks in January. Arrival and departure times will be discussed more at orientation in October, do not book flights until then.

To learn more about the program itinerary, see last year's program activities and daily schedule: Itinerary January 2018