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Mission-Study Abroad Program General Orientation
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WHAT? EXPLANATION OF MISSION The team is traveling to the Bolivian Evangelical University (B.E.U.), Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in June 2009 on a partnership program for interested Christians -- college faculty wanting to serve and students wanting to enroll -- in an accredited summer program to learn Spanish and be involved in missions. Specifically, the team will be working with overseas missionaries and Bolivian Spanish teachers at the university. At present, there are two participating schools: Toccoa Falls College, and Emmanuel College. Visitors from outside the two colleges are also welcome. PROGRAM Study Spanish in Latin America Minister in a Christian liberal arts college. Live with host Christian families. No prior knowledge of Spanish required PROGRAM OBJECTIVES 1. To explore the intriguing cultures of one of South America’s most varied countries; 2. To develop an appreciation for the diversity of the peoples of Latin America; 3. To be challenged to learn new information, shape and form new opinions and make new commitments; 4. To mutually share and learn from new international friends; 5. To expand Spanish language comprehension and communication skills while experiencing total language immersion; 6. To understand and share Christ’s burden for the peoples of the world. COURSE OBJECTIVES 1. To provide language learning in a total immersion environment, 2. To prepare student with adequate vocabulary, grammar, conversational skills, cultural knowledge and appropriate attitudes so that they can: - carry on natural simple conversations for every-day situations - read signs and material in Spanish - understand regional colloquialisms - improve pronunciation - understand increasingly complex spoken Spanish - write increasingly complex compositions in Spanish 3. To help students observe, appreciate and analyze the people and culture around them. MINISTRY OBJECTIVES To match each student with an outreach opportunity according to their interests where they will spend most afternoons during the program in interaction and ministry with the local people. These may include: - church activities - orphanages - training in sports - work practice related to the student’s skills in a local company - offering English classes A portion of the program cost will be applied to this ministry opportunity in order to benefit the local community. HOW? ACADEMIC LEVELS Three levels of Spanish will be offered by Bolivian university teachers. COURSES Elementary Spanish Intermediate Spanish Advanced Spanish ENTRANCE A placement test will be administered upon arrival to all students. The level of each will be determined based on the placement exam. ACCREDITATION By the Ministry of Education of Bolivia in partnership with Emmanuel College and Toccoa Falls College Four weeks: 6 credit hours (84 hours in class) Eight weeks: 12 credit hours (168 hours in class) WHERE? CLASSES They will be held at the Universidad Evangelica Boliviana (Bolivian Evangelical University), Santa Cruz, Bolivia. LODGING Students may choose between two options. - to be housed in a local mission guest house, the UEB International student center or - to live with local middle-class Bolivian homes, which is encouraged as the preferred option. In either case students will have a clean, individual or double room with a private bath, easy access to the UEB campus and local transportation, and maximum exposure to rich cultural surroundings. EXCURSIONS Two cultural excursions will be included in each four-week module to give students exposure to a bit of the varied cultures of Bolivia. These may include any of the following: SAMAIPATA - A quaint town in the cool mountains outside of Santa Cruz. The highlight of the trip will be the large ancient Inca ruins. It is a unique and beautiful area that provides a contrast to the balmy, tropical atmosphere of Santa Cruz. SUCRE – This is a lovely white historical capital city, “la ciudad blanca de Bolivia”, in the mountainous Andes region with a large concentration of Quechua Indians. One can visit museums, admire the typical dress and customs of the Quechua, enjoy native dishes and explore the largest dinosaur tracks ever discovered. COCHABAMBA - The “Heart of Bolivia”, Cochabamba is typical of the valley cultures. It is a growing city with a mild, cool climate and many Quechua people. LA PAZ - The present-day capital of Bolivia, La Paz is a booming city built in a large crater. It’s high altitude makes it one of the coldest regions of the country. While in La Paz you can see the snow-covered mountains, learn and meet the Aymara Indian people and travel to the highest lake in the world, Lake Titicaca. ASENCIÓN DE GUARAYOS / TRINIDAD – The lowlands capital and a jungle town that are both accessible by missionary transport plane. This trip would be exciting and adventurous. It is an opportunity to see the native tribal groups that still live throughout Bolivia and to appreciate this Amazonic environment. NEARBY SOUTH AMERICAN ATTRACTIONS - Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, and Macchu Pichu in Peru HOW LONG? The program will have a duration of four or eight weeks during the months of June and July with three class options. WHEN? DATES IN 2009 5/29 - Travel from Atlanta to Santa Cruz 6/01 - 1st Session 6/29 - Departure to the U.S.A. 7/01 - 7/5 - Excursion for continuing students 7/06 - 7/31 - 2nd Session 8/03 - Departure to the U.S.A. FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS AIRLINES Pending on American Airlines TRAVEL AGENCY Agent James Driscoll Fay-West Travel (724) 628-1122 travel635@yahoo.com HOW MUCH? PRICE: varies, see below STUDENTS TAKING CLASSES - $3,000 for 4 weeks - $4.000 for 8 weeks (includes excursion) STUDENTS NOT TAKING CLASSES, SEEKING TO MINISTER - $2,500 for 4 weeks - $3,000 for 8 weeks FACULTY COMING TO TEACH AND MINISTER - $2,500 for one month - $3,000 for two months. INCLUDED IN COST - Flights Atlanta-Bolivia-Atlanta ($1000-1500) - Program coordination - UEB faculty co-instructors - Spanish classes - Single/double room in guest home or with a host family - At least 2, sometimes 3 meals/day - Cultural integration excursions with guides local transportation and travel insurance NOT INCLUDED IN COST - Pocket money - Health insurance - Extra excursions 2009 FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS TARGET DATE TOTALS October 1st - $100.00 November 1st - $300.00 December 1st - $600.00 January 1st - $1000.00 February 1st - $1500.00 March 1st - $2000.00 April 1st - $2500.00 May 1st - $3000.00 The team leader is running any funds the team needs for the mission trip through Emmanuel’s or TFC's accounts, so there is accountability and no confusion if a discrepancy comes up later, even after the trip is over. Further, this will be a financial record for future trips to be based on, even if another leader is appointed. Faculty are in a position to keep your own money after the flight deposit or continue depositing as a student. If a faculty member decides to keep remaining funds, he or she should be ready to hand over about $1000 to the Bolivian Evangelical University to pay for food, lodging, and local / national transportation, probably soon after arrival. This will cover all local costs for one month, except personal gifts and individual projects. Students must deposit all their funds before leaving, that is $3,000.00, and faculty members have that option if they would like an outside accounting of their funds. I, the leader, will be responsible to safely transfer appropriate funds to the Bolivian Evangelical University, reporting to Emmanuel College and Toccoa Falls College any transfers of mission funds. SENT TO Emmanuel College Business Office % Mischelle Bennett - Bolivia account P.O. Box 129 Franklin Springs, GA 30639 WHO? Any Christian interviewed and approved by Dale Garside or Carl Davis. |