Quick Facts

Application Deadlines

• Fall semester: April 15
• Spring semester: November 1 (October 15 to be guaranteed a place on the group flight arranged by BCA)

Program Dates

Language of Instruction

Spanish: Completion of two semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent) is required.

Host University: Universidad Veracuzana

• A large, comprehensive university offering 53 academic programs. 
• BCA students with sufficient Spanish ability enroll directly in regular university courses. 
• Others enroll in the university's program for foreign students, the Escuela para Estudiantes Extranje
• All classes are taught in Spanish by native Mexican professors 

Housing

Host families

Orientation

• Three-day orientation to Mexico and the BCA program
• Two weeks of intensive language and cultural instruction

Resident Director

Full-time, on-site Resident Director Robert Paul Kruger studied anthropology and archaeology at the Universities of Illinois and Pittsburgh (where he earned a Ph.D).  He specializes in the Olmec, one of the earliest Mesoamerican cultures and was a Fulbright scholar to Mexico in 1992. Rob taught at the University of Pittsburgh and Guilford College in North Carolina, twice leading their Guadalajara program. He moved to Xalapa in 1995.  He occasionally teaches archaeology at the Universidad Veracruzana, and remains active in the archaeological community there. Rob's interest in Mexican Archaeology has developed into a love for the country and people of Mexico. He loves to travel and explore, and delights in taking BCA students off the beaten track.

Academic Calendar

Upon completion of the pre-semester orientation, students begin classes in early September (for the fall semester) or early February (for the spring semester). Each semester includes several vacations and weekend excursions.

Regular university courses end on a different schedule than courses run by the Escuela para Estudiantes Extranjeros, so check dates carefully. Fall semester ends in mid-December for EEE, although regular university courses may continue into mid January. Spring semester concludes in mid May for EEE students, but regular university classes run until June.

Required Course

Intensive language training

Great for Majors

• Spanish
• Archeology, anthropology, sociology, history, art, political science

Excursions and Activities

• Hands-on experiential opportunities
• Excursions to archeological sites
• There are approximately 15 days of educational excursions throughout the semester, between daytrips, weekend trips and occasional longer excursions. 
• Destinations vary from semester to semester and according to student interest. BCA students have enjoyed the following:
  • Mexico City
  • Teotihuacan
  • La Antigua
  • Veracruz
  • El Tajín and the Costa Esmeralda (beach)
  • Ecotourism in the Tuxtlas Mountains
  • Cuetzalan, Puebla
  • Cofre de Perote and La Malinche mountains
  • Chiapas (spring break)
  • Yucatan Penninsula (spring break)

Extra Educational Opportunities

• Commitment to exploring social issues
• Social interactions with local populations and experiential learning
• Students with good Spanish skills can even find rewarding internships and volunteer jobs.  In the past, students have even contributed to campus publications such as the student newspaper