THE CULTURAL, PASTORAL AND SOCIAL DIMENSIONS OF THE PROGRAM
The Center provides students with an introduction to the contemporary Latin American reality, focusing attention on the renewed pastoral vision of the Church of the Medellín, Puebla, Santo Domingo and Aparecida conferences of the Latin American Bishops. The basic Spanish Course begins with an initial two day orientation program for newly arrived students, and each module begins with a two hour orientation.
Conferences
Throughout the language program conferences, reflection and discussion of current mission topics and pastoral experiences are promoted to help the students relate language learning to the cultural/pastoral context of Latin America. Bibliographies and significant material relating to mission in Latin America are given to each student as guided reading for moving into a new culture in a missionary and service role. The following link is a videoclip and a gallery of pictures of an Andean ritual that took place in our institution with the participation of our students.
Trips
During the year trips are planned to visit the Jesuit Missions in the Chiquitania, La Paz, Copacabana, Carnaval de Oruro, and the rural areas of Cochabamba..See pictures...
Volunteer service
One of the specific goals of the Mission Center is integrating cultural, social and the pastoral experiences within the context of language learning. One of the best ways of learning a new language is to immerse oneself into the everyday reality of the people. Therefore, students participating in the basic course of twenty-two weeks will be given the opportunity of choosing an area of interest for volunteer service as a part of their language study program. A variety of sites will be made available. At the end of the twenty-two week language program, as part of the closing celebration, each student will be invited to present and share their experiences.
Hosting - Bolivian family
We have a network of Bolivian Families who have received foreign students for many years. We place only one student (or family) in each home, which allows for opportunities for cultural immersion as well as language practice. Room and board with Bolivian families can be arranged by the Center at the following costs:
Sudents: US.$360.00 per month (US. $12.00 per day)
Children from birth to 5 years: US$ 120.00 per month.
Children from six years to ten years US. $210.00 per month.
Children from eleven years to fourteen years: US $240.00 per month.
