LOCATION: Medellin, Colombia
The program fee includes tuition, housing and many program expenses. See below for full details.
International airfare and personal expenses are not included in the Program Fee and are the responsibility of the student.
ELIGIBILITY: This program is open to all George Mason University students with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and 45 credit hours completed by the start of the program.
9 UNDERGRADUATE CREDITS: 6 internship credits and 3 credits for A seminar course at the start of the internship program.
In the past, students have earned internship credit for the following:
NCLC 490, GLOA 495, GOVT 480, ENGL 498, HIST 399, ECON 498 and More! You may be able to earn internship credits in your major.
Seminar Course options include: TBD
GRADUATE CREDITS: TBD
HOUSING: Homestays and Apartments
CONTACT: Gregory Seiler via email by clicking on his name or call him right now at 703.993.2641
APPLICATION FEE: $100
Faculty Information:
and
Housing:
Homestays or Shared Apartments
Spend Summer 2013 in one of the most dynamic cities in Latin America!
The Medellín 2013 study abroad experience combines 3 credits of interdisciplinary coursework on the social, political, and economic contexts of social change in the region of Antioquia, Colombia with 6 credits of internship experience in placements focusing on human rights, education, and community development.
Medellín
Emerging from troubled past, Colombia’s second largest city is now an attractive, vibrant, and modern metropolis located in the country’s northwestern Alburrá Valley. Known alternatively as the “city of Eternal Spring” and the “City of Flowers,” Medellín was recently named one of the top three most innovative cities in the world by the Urban Land Institute for its “progress and potential.” Cultural and social improvements have sprung up across the city, including museums, cultural centers, parks, and an extensive public library system. Medellín is also served by a state-of-the-art sustainable public transport system which includes a metro system as well as a cable-metro and urban escalator system to help residents of the steep hillside settlements known as comunas quickly and efficiently travel to the city center. The goal of the city’s extensive urban transformation is the social and economic incorporation of residents of the comunas, which serve as the home for populations of displaced persons as well as the extensive social and educational programs aimed at improving lives and livelihoods across the city.
The program includes a week-long orientation and seminar series, launched in the mountain retreat of Montes Claros. The program also includes a city tour, day trips to towns in the region of Antioquia, and a weekend trip to the Rio Claro eco-resort. At Rio Claro, students will have the opportunity for rafting, cave exploring, swimming, and hiking.
Plaza San Ignacio in Medellin

Montes Claros - Site of program orientation
IMPORTANT DATES:
Application Deadline: March 8, 2013
Program Orientation at GMU: May 4, 2013
Arrival date: June 2, 2013 to Medellin, Colombia
Departure date: August 2, 2013 to Cartagena, Colombia
Internship Dates: June 10 - July 26, 2013
Presentation Dates: July 27-28, 2013
Trip to Cartagena and Isla Baru: July 30 - August 2, 2013
What's Included: The program fee includes 9 credits tuition, accommodations, welcome orientation, full-time in-city support, airport pickup, iNext medical insurance, excursions, and program closing trip to Cartagena and Isla Baru.
International airfare not included.
Medellin cable car
End of program trip to Cartagena
Isla Baru - Day trip from Cartagena
Potential internship placements include:
Colombia Reports
YMCA Medellín
Fundación Las Golondrinas
Comite Privado de Asistencia a la Niñez (PAN)
Fundación Dame la Mano
Centro Colombo Americano
Vamos Mujer
Alcaldia de Medellín
Q: What do I need to apply?
Online application and $100 application fee
https://chnm.gmu.edu/globaled/application.php
Submit all supplemental materials: 1 passport size photo, Electronic Resume, Electronic Cover Letter discussing your motivations for the internship, your academic and professional goals and why Colombia interests you, 1 letter of recommendation (academic or professional), Official Transcripts from home university (unofficial okay for GMU students), copy of front and back of health insurance card, copy of passport, VA tuition form (for non-GMU students only).
Materials can be sent to the CGE office or emailed to gseiler2@gmu.edu by the program application deadline.
Q: What are the requirements for acceptance?
Minimum of 45 credit hours completed by the start of Summer 2013 and 2.5 minimum GPA.
Q: What are my chances of being accepted to the program?
Nearly all students who meet the minimum qualifications are accepted to the program.
Q: Do I need Spanish language skills to apply?
Spanish language skills are recommended but not required. Students Spanish language abilities will have a greater selection of potential internship options.
Q: What is the process for be placed in an internship?
Program participants are placed in an internship after acceptance to the program. Participant resumes and cover letters are forwarded to potential host employers for selection. The placement process can take weeks to months, however every participant is guaranteed an internship.
Q: Do I get to choose the company and placement?
You are placed in an internship based on your academic background, personal interest, and professional experience, however you cannot choose the exact company. A placement is guaranteed and your background is used to place you in the position. All efforts are made to place you in a position most related to your field.
Q: How can I earn internship credits in my major?
To earn internship credits in your major, you must first speak with your department’s internship coordinator or your academic advisor. If you fit the department’s requirements to earn credit, the CGE will work with you to obtain your preferred credit. If you are not eligible to earn credit in your major, you can still earn the same amount of credit with the program’s default credit options.
Q: What is the schedule like?
The first week of the program will be an intensive Seminar course. The following weeks will be 5 days of internship.
Working hours vary depending on the workplace. Just as with any job, the field and specific sites have different requirements. You should expect to work a full schedule each week.
Q: Where do I live while in Colombia?
Participants will be housed in furnished apartments or homestays within close proximity to their work place.
*CGE reserves the right to make changes to a program in light of currency fluctuations, changing security and safety conditions, or any other unforeseen circumstances.

