Study Abroad in Mexico
What will I explore?
NWTC students travel to San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, for a global professional experience. While in Mexico, you will learn about the education system, engage with Universidad Politecnica de Guanajuato (UPG) students, tour local industries, attend lectures from UPG professors, and explore the region’s cultural sites (historic churches, Mexican architecture, museums, historic parks and botanical gardens).
UPG is an engineering university located about an hour from San Miguel de Allende. The university offers several of the high-demand career opportunities students require for the current labor market. The engineering degrees offered are robotics, agro-industrial, automotive design, process manufacturing, logistics and transportation, energy, biotechnology, and metrology and quality.
Potential activities include zip-lining, ATV tour, horseback riding, and local distillery tour.
What will I learn?
While in San Miguel de Allende, you will learn about:
- International Free Trade Zones
- Logistics
- Manufacturing
- Guanajuato Inland Port (GTO)
- Mexican Education System
You will also:
- Engage with Universidad Politecnica de Guanajuato (UPG) students
- Tour local industries and international companies
- Attend lectures from UPG professors
- Explore historic churches and landmarks
The study abroad experience aligns with NWTC Employability Skills; in particular, "value individual differences and abilities" and "demonstrate community and global accountability".
What's included in the cost?
$2,300 - $2,500 is the estimated program cost and includes:
- round-trip airfare
- lodging (student housing and/or hotel)
- international health coverage
- transportation from NWTC to O’Hare airport and back
- in-country transportation, such as train, subway, or bus
- entrance fees
- some meals (typically two meals/day)
When are the payment deadlines?
- $300 due when the application is submitted
- $400 by September 16th
- $600 by October 7th
- $600 by November 4th
- $400-$600 by December 2nd
Payments can be made by stopping in or calling (920-498-5483) Student Involvement, SC118. Checks (made out to NWTC), cash, Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.
Payments do not include: tuition (optional), some meals, personal spending money, and passport fees.
Students are responsible for keeping track of payments made/money owed.
The refund policy is explained on the study abroad application.
What financial support is available?
Apply to the International Programs Study Abroad Grant
- Awards are typically between $300-$800
- Underrepresented students can be awarded up to $1,000
- Grant applications are due the same date as the study abroad application deadline. The application is attached to the study abroad application
- If you are not FAFSA eligible you can still apply
Apply for FAFSA
- Pell grant recipients can use any remaining funds to help pay for study abroad
- Talk to a Financial Aid Advisor by visiting the Welcome Center, SC240 or calling 920-498-5444
Apply to the Foundation Scholarships
- Awards are anywhere from $500 to $2000!
- Apply by logging into your my.NWTC, click Finances, and next click “Apply for a Scholarship”
- Deadlines are April 30th and November 5th
Apply to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
- Students can be awarded up to $3,000!
- Applicants must be a Pell Grant recipient and be taking the study abroad program for credit
- Application deadlines in March and October
- For more information visit gilmanscholarship.org
Get Creative
- Students can organize a fundraising event
- Use electronic resources like Kickstarter and GoFundMe
- Waive holiday and birthday gifts for financial gifts
What are the credit opportunities?
College of Business students: use this as your Career Experience
- This study abroad experience will satisfy the Career Experience component in any College of Business associate degree program. Each academic program has criteria for assessment of learning; typically journaling and a portfolio presentation linking learning to the program outcomes.
Tech Hall students: Talk to your instructor about credit options.
All credit opportunities are optional.
Contact:
General Study Abroad Questions
studyabroad@nwtc.edu
920-498-5702
Andrew Paasch and Terri Brown, Faculty Leaders
andrew.paasch@nwtc.edu 920-498-6926
terri.brown@nwtc.edu 920-498-5718