New Activisms, Human Rights and Social Justice
This program explores the struggles of people in Mesoamerica, a region that stretches from southern Mexico to Costa Rica. You will learn more about the human rights crisis the region currently faces from the perspective of historically marginalized communities (such as Indigenous and Afro-descendant people, peasant communities, women, members of LGTBQ+, and youth). You will explore the historical causes of social, ethnic, racial, and political conflicts that have shaped the region and engage with communities, groups and individuals who are organizing themselves to respond to the challenges they face today. The unique histories and lives of the people you will meet not only inspire, but will also challenge you to think about your role as an agent of change.
Learn more and apply to this program
Highlights
- Learn about diverse approaches to environmental conservation, sustainability, economic issues, and social justice.
- Frequent guest speakers, excursions, and hands-on active learning to immerse you in the community and culture.
- Spanish language class with native Spanish speakers in small class sizes. All Spanish levels are welcome, from beginners to native speakers!
- Participate on a program run by an organization dedicated to social justice, which uplifts the voices of underrepresented and marginalized peoples in all programs.
- Homestays with welcoming and friendly folks in each country.
- Travel to two countries in one semester - Guatemala and Costa Rica, with additional travel within each country.
Courses
Courses are taken on a block schedule (one course at a time). All students will take the following courses, completing 17 Augsburg University credits during the semester:
- Spanish – up to 12 course choices available from beginning to advanced
- Latin American Liberation Theologies and Social Change (Religion 336)
- Citizen Participation with a Globalized Economy (Political Science 310)
- In the Aftermath of War: History, Memory and Transitional Justice in Central America (History/Women, Gender, Sexuality Studies 355)
- Topics: Central American Cultures & Global Competency Certificate (Interdisciplinary Studies 291)
Student Life
Students will spend the first half of the program in Guatemala, learning about Guatemalan history, culture, and Indigenous populations, while also studying Spanish. Small and intimate language classes provide unlimited opportunities to practice Spanish. Students will stay in a mixture of lodgings and with families throughout all of these excursions.
Upon departing Guatemala, students will travel to Costa Rica, where the second half of the program will take place. The center of operation is the Latin American Biblical University, which serves as a space for classes and as a residence hall before moving in with families for the remainder of the semester. Students will stay with local families in the Cedros de Montes de Oca, a diverse middle-class neighborhood, located just outside the capital city of San José. You will go on excursions and field visits to self-sustaining eco-community, rural areas, and meet with immigrants, Afro-Caribbean Costa Ricans, artists, activists, and more!
Why This Program
This program is ideal for students whose career goals include working with immigrant populations in the U.S. (especially from Central America); working for Development Organizations and NGOs addressing developing issues and policies in the Global South; or students who imagine a life and career in grassroots organizing and activism in the U.S. While those might not be your career option, the program provides all students the personal and professional growth necessary to be aware and have a broad understanding of the world and their place in it.
For More Information
Financial Information
This is considered a 3rd Party Provider program. You will continue to pay Butler University tuition for your semester abroad, instead of the tuition cost listed on the provider's website. The Butler University CGE will receive the bill for this program on your behalf, will pay it, and will pass on these expenses in your Butler student account, including Butler tuition (instead of the tuition listed on the program’s page) and any non-tuition charges, like housing, health insurance, etc. Additionally, you will receive 100% of your federal financial aid and 50% of your Butler University institutional aid and scholarships for your semester abroad.
Additional provider fees may include: application fee, housing deposit, health insurance, etc.
**These above-stated policies may be different for tuition remission, tuition exchange, Lilly Endowment Community Scholarship Program, and petition program students. Please check with Financial Aid for more information.**
Application Instructions
As a Butler University student, you will simultaneously apply directly with the provider for this program by their listed deadline, as well as complete this secondary application with the Center for Global Education (CGE) for your top-choice program. You can start the CGE’s application by clicking "Apply Now" above. Should you apply for/get into another program that you’d prefer, just let the CGE know and they’ll switch your completed application into the correct program.
All pre-decision materials must be completed in this online application system by the deadline listed on this application.
