Language Requirement: 1 year
Academic Standing by Program Start: Freshman or above
Location: Americas, Mexico
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

This program is designed for you to learn Spanish language through immersion. You can take intermediate or advanced Spanish, as well as courses on Mexican history, literature, and culture. Mexico is an ideal location to continue your Spanish language studies, as the pronunciation, vocabulary, and colloquial expressions used in Mexico are also commonly heard in the U.S., offering you a smoother linguistic transition between the two countries. You will study at the downtown campus of the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ), which is close to Querétaro's beautiful historic district. As part of the immersive experience, you will live with a Mexican host family and have the chance to interact with Mexican students on campus.

Querétaro is a beautiful colonial city located in the state of Querétaro in the heart of central Mexico and is home to approximately 1.4 million. The city is known especially for its excellent universities, growing economy, safety, and cleanliness. Its historic city center is recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. This program includes excursions to Mexico City, visits to historic towns around the host city, and several extra activities in and around Querétaro. The state of Querétaro and Mexico City are two of the safest regions in the country according to the US Department of State; assigned the same travel advisory level as many European countries.

Learn about Ray's experience on the program here

 

Quotes from Querétaro alumni:

“My Spanish has definitely improved. I am a much more confident conversational speaker. I spoke the most Spanish at home with my host family.”

“The quality of instruction was amazing! My class was very small, so we were able to have a deep connection with the instructors and in turn the instructors were able to assist us better.”

"I feel so lucky to have had the host parents that I had during my time in Mexico. They were so kind, accommodating, open, and helpful. I feel so blessed to now have them in my life."

Dates and Deadlines

 

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Summer20253/15/20256/21/20258/2/2025

 

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Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

The GEO Querétaro program is six weeks in the summer. All courses are taught in Spanish by instructors from UAQ's College of Language and Literature. If you have completed SPAN 103 or 112 by the time you depart for Querétaro, you can earn 12 quarter credits of intermediate-level Spanish that would fulfill (at the UO) the equivalent of SPAN 201-202-203. If you have already completed the SPAN-200 sequence or equivalent, you may enroll in 12 quarter credits by selecting three of the 3rd year Spanish course offerings such as Contemporary Mexican Literature, Advanced Writing in Querétaro, Language and Society, Introduction to Linguistics, and Contemporary Mexican History. 

Note: all classes are approved as SPAN 200/300 level credit. The Contemporary Mexican History course can count towards Latin America HIST credit. The course on Contemporary Mexican history examines the 19th and 20th centuries, highlighting moments in which the city of Querétaro played an important role in Mexican history, including the Mexican Revolution.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Each year, an instructor from the University of Oregon's Romance Languages Department or a GEO Global Engagement Program Coordinator serves as the Querétaro On-Site Coordinator for this program. Sarah Pearson, Senior Global Engagement Program Coordinator, will serve as the Querétaro On-Site Coordinator for Summer 2025.  

The GEO Querétaro Program also has dedicated staff on site to ensure students are well oriented to the program location, local culture, and program expectations, and are available 24/7 during the program to support students and assist in case of emergency.

Housing Description

Housing in Querétaro is designed to help you experience the local culture of Mexico and to improve language acquisition while living with a Mexican host family. Homestays are carefully selected to fit your needs and requests. All students are placed in homes that have been carefully selected and vetted for safety and cleanliness. You will have access to a private room, internet, and most meals are provided by your host family. The comida (lunch) is the biggest meal of the day; it usually takes place between 2-4 p.m. and is an ideal opportunity to interact with your host family. Querétaro is a larger city and many families live a distance away from the university where classes are held. Ubers and taxis are readily available throughout the day and local buses can be a good option for many students in the mornings. Host families accompany students to the university on the first day and help students learn bus routes and transportation to the university.