Students from the University of San Diego pack their bags each summer and travel to Guadalajara, Mexico for six weeks. This summer the program will be headed to Madrid, Spain instead of Guadalajara, Mexico. The recent outbreak of swine flu has scared many students and faculty about going to Mexico this summer. Students that had registered for the program and paid their fees dropped out with the outbreak of swine flu.
Swine flu is not the only reason students do not feel comfortable going to Mexico.
"The current state of Mexico's drug trafficking problems is what scares me about living in Mexico for six weeks," said senior Jaimarie Sutherland. Despite changes to the itinerary, she thinks it is a good thing. "I am sad that I won't be able to experience the places I would have gotten to visit in Mexico, but I think that Spain is an even better opportunity to experience different things."
Not all students agree. "What's the point of packing my bags for six weeks in Madrid, coming home for a month and returning again for the fall?" said sophomore Vivi Rojas. Now that the program is in Madrid, she is no longer certain she wants to go, and is considering waiting to experience Spain until she spends a semester abroad.
For those who wish to apply now, the cost of the program has now been changed to the standard rate for European programs and the flight to Spain is more expensive. Students will study at the Fundacion de Jose Ortega y Gasset in the city center. The students will also be living in homestays, so they can practice their Spanish and immerse themselves in Spanish culture.
Established in 1963, the Guadalajara Summer Program is the oldest and most popular study abroad program at USD. The head of the program, Carl Jubran made the decision to change the program's location.
For more information visit: sandiego.edu/guadalajara.
