• Description

  The Liberal Arts study abroad program in Managua, Nicaragua is designed for students with upper intermediate Spanish language skills that are interested in the humanities and social sciences and are motivated to gain a deeper appreciation of the realities of Nicaraguan society, especially issues of social issues, development, and post-revolutionary society.

  While broad in its academic scope, the Liberal Arts program is particularly appropriate for students with an interest in social sciences, social justice, and development studies. The program enables participants to refine their Spanish language skills through an intensive Spanish language course prior to the regular semester; to enhance their understanding of contemporary Nicaraguan society through the CIEE core course; and to take courses in a wide variety of academic interests through direct matriculation at the Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Nicaragua.

  Academic Program
  The Social Justice and Development program provides a supportive environment for students who have at least five semesters of college-level Spanish, and wish to continue language study while enrolling directly in a Nicaraguan university. The program allows students to pursue a wide range of academic interests, through a diversity of academic disciplines in the social science and humanities fields.

  Academic Culture
  At Nicaraguan universities, students take courses related to their major from the very beginning of their academic studies. They continue to enroll in more focused concentration courses as they progress through their academic career. Courses outside of the general education requirements are equivalent to upper-level courses in the United States.

  CIEE students should be prepared for a style of teaching that relies primarily on lectures and student presentations, which often encourage academic debate among students. Class size ranges from 20 to 55 students, with most classes averaging 20 to 30 students.

  The first semester of the academic year in Managua begins in early February and ends in mid-July, and the second semester begins in mid-July and ends in early December. An academic year program of study in Managua can begin either during the North American fall or spring semester. Academic year students who begin their study during the North American fall semester have a two-month break between semesters. There is a break of about two weeks between the spring and fall semesters.

• Highlights

• Jump start your Spanish study with an intensive, two-week Spanish language course prior to the semester
  
• Take a CIEE course focusing on the political history of Nicaragua and join CIEE-facilitated visits to community and sustainable development organizations
  
• Enroll at a Nicaraguan university, ideal for studying social justice and development
  
• Explore the city and country through cultural activities, educational excursions to parks and nature preserves, visits to places such as the northern highlands of Las Segovias, the Caribbean coast, Granada, and Leon

Cultural Activities
The program includes visits to sites of historic and cultural importance in Managua and its environs. These activities, which vary each semester to take advantage of seasonal and current attractions, may include visits to the Caribbean Coast (Pearl Lagoon and Little Corn Island), home of the African descent, Miskito, and English-speaking population of Nicaragua; as well as to farmers' cooperatives in the northern highlands of Las Segovias, famous for being the stage of Sandino's struggle in the 1930's. There are also numerous day trips close to Managua, including visits to national parks, such as Volcan Masaya; to beautiful nature preserves in the mountains or on lakes; and to the colonial cities of Granada and Leon.

In addition, there are CIEE-organized cultural activities linked to learning about issues of social justice and development, including guest lectures and facilitated discussions with people involved in grassroots organizations, as well as visits to community centers and organizations in Managua.