Medicine in Mexico: Prehispanic, Institutional, Alternative

  Mexico

• Cuernavaca: 
Cuernavaca

Term: Not Applicable 
Dates: September 6 - 26

Description: This program involves morning Spanish classes and afternoon trips to local traditional docs, hospitals, and clinics to learn about traditional and institutional medicine there. A homestay is included in the tuition including 3 meals a day. Hotel or apartment accommodations are available if you prefer.

For traditional and alternative healthcare practitioners and students interested in learning about medical practices in Mexico, including prehispanic and current institutional and alternative practices, as well as those looking for better understanding with hispanic populations and who are interested in health issues and terminology.

This 3-week program is meant for all those who work in healthcare: nurses and family doctors, alternative healthcare practitioners, as well as specialists and midwives. You will learn about the healthcare system in Mexico and about the way workers are organized. We will talk about social and cultural issues like health and human rights, health and spirituality, cultural beliefs about health, indigenous beliefs and practices, birth control methods, working with contagious illnesses, speaking with Latino patients, talking about domestic violence, the place of elderly or handicapped people in our society, among other issues.

Daily intensive Spanish language instruction, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. Students are evaluated and place at the appropriate level with a maximum of five students in each class. Advanced students are welcome as well as those with less experience.

Homestay with a Mexican family

The experience of sharing daily life with a family provides a vibrant sense of the Mexican people and makes the program more personal and profound.

Highlights: Our Spanish language immersion program is demanding, but the atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. We apply Paulo Freire's methodology in our Spanish classes, where students are encouraged to contribute their insights and participate in critical analysis. Our teachers are native Spanish speakers from Mexico with professional training and extensive experience.

Spanish classes never exceed five students. We begin each morning with three hours of intensive Spanish language instruction from 9 to12, followed by a "practica" session from 12:20 to 2:00. On rotating days we also have "round table" style discussions or speakers on a variety of national & international social justice topics. In addition, we offer various activities related to Mexican culture throughout the week such as videos, Mexican cooking classes, folk and Latin dance classes, participation in Cuernavaca's local fiestas, excursions to museums, "pueblos," and pyramids in and near Cuernavaca, and more.

CETLALIC's Spanish language immersion program is accredited by the Ministry of Public Education (State of Morelos, Mexico). CETLALIC is a small community of teachers, students and activists. Our goal is to promote dialogue between Mexico and people of other cultures and in order to reach that goal we make sure we are able to attend to the needs of every participant.

Cost in US$: 1,655

Experience Required: yes

For traditional and alternative healthcare practitioners and students interested in learning about medical practices in Mexico.

This Program is open to American, Australian and Canadian Participants.

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups of 4

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

CETLALIC's Mission Statement: Our goal is to promote dialogue between Mexico and the people of other cultures; in order to reach that goal, we make the experience of every participant our concern. We offer small, intensive classes at all levels, year-round, as well as several Special Programs every year focused on a particular issue or area of interest, which often include travel in the region. We welcome all students irrespective of nationality, ethnic origin, race, gender, sexual preference, or age.

Year Founded: 1987