Description

Uruguay serves as a point of departure for understanding the complexities of the Latin American economies. The region faces many economic challenges including vast informal employment, poverty and inequality, migration, and environmental challenges. We will observe these in our stay and explore how Uruguay and other Latin American nations deal with these issues. Other areas of focus include the delivery of healthcare, inflation, exchange rate systems, property rights and the many ways that Latin American nations are impacted by the world economy. This course will consist of some traditional classroom instruction at the Universidad de Montevideo along with field trips within the capital city and two overnight excursions into the interior of the country. Students will interact with Uruguayan students and with business entities with the intent of gaining a deeper understanding of common economic characteristics throughout Latin America. Instruction will take place in English.

Your instructor has had extensive experience researching, living and working in Uruguay and in several other Latin American countries including Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Mexico.

Highlights

Nestled between Argentina and Brazil, Uruguay is one of South America's smallest and most peaceful countries, with a long history of progressive and stable government. Uruguay can be broadly divided into three areas: the capital, the countryside (el campo), and the coast. About half of its three million citizens live in Montevideo, with its Old City, carnival, soccer, and waterfront boulevards. The countryside is the traditional source of Uruguay's wealth, where cattle and sheep far outnumber the gauchos. The beaches of the Rio de la Plata and the Atlantic coast draw vast numbers of Uruguayans and Argentineans for their annual summer holidays; during the rest of the year, the fishermen enjoy solitude.

In this course, will visit all three areas of Uruguay. We'll start out in the capital city of Montevideo, with class meetings at the Universidad de Montevideo. During week two we will travel up the coast of Rocha until we reach the border with Brazil. We will spend two nights at Punta del Diablo, a beach town bordering the Santa Teresa National Park. During week three we will spend one night and two days in the "campo," as guests at a working "estancia," visiting the rural towns along the way.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Minimum Education

High School

Subject Areas

• Business
• Economics
• Latin American Studies

Cost in US$:

USD 2,995

Program Fees Include:

Program fee and room. Travel and food extra.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Transcript

Western Michigan University's Mission Statement

The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established by the Board of Trustees in 1998, promotes and supports efforts towards globalization and internationalization of the academic environment of Western Michigan University. The Institute works closely with the International Education Council of the WMU Faculty Senate, as well as with international education committees and projects within and across colleges.

Year Founded

1903