From March 13–21, 2027, you’ll walk the 2,500-year-old Zapotec city of Monte Albán, learn to cook Oaxaca’s famous mole, explore colorful markets and street murals, and meet the women weavers of Teotitlán del Valle. You’ll live with a host family, share home-cooked meals, and practice Spanish every day, no experience needed. You’ll also use what you know to lead educational experiences for local children and create projects a community nonprofit can use.
INFO SESSION
OCTOBER 28
FINE ARTS COMPLEX, 196
12:15 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M.
Let us know you are coming!
RSVP to Dr. García-Franken
ngarcia@wtamu.edu
Oaxaca City is a place where culture, language and community are part of everyday life. You won’t just visit. You’ll work with real people on real projects.
Real client work
You’ll create materials and lead activities that Centro de Esperanza Infantil will actually use.
Live with a host family
Stay in a homestay with three meals a day and practice Spanish at the dinner table.
History you can stand in
Walk the ancient Zapotec city of Monte Albán, visit artisan markets and explore neighborhood murals.
A local university partner
Meet students and faculty at the Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO).
Two WT courses travel together. Pick the one that fits your degree.
MATH 3301: Math for Teachers III
Dr. Audrey Meador
- Collect, analyze and visualize real data in Oaxaca
- Design bilingual, data-rich math tasks for grades PreK–8
- Lead math workshops with children at a local elementary school
- Reflect on your growth as a future teacher
For students seeking elementary or middle school teacher certification.
MCOM/COMM 4300: Communication Study Abroad
Dr. Nancy García-Franken
- Research Oaxacan culture and communication norms
- Create a bilingual (English/Spanish) newsletter for CEI
- Plan and launch a fundraising and donation campaign
- Build portfolio-ready work for your career
For communication and media communication students.
BETTER TOGETHER. After the trip, both classes team up to create an exhibition and a panel presentation for the WT campus community.
The trip is the center of a full spring semester course.
BEFORE (January–March)
Weekly class sessions on campus. Learn about Oaxaca and CEI, and prepare your projects.
DURING (March 13–21)
Here’s a tentative plan for the nine-day trip. Breakfast and dinner are with your host family every day.
Sat, March 13
Arrive in Oaxaca. Airport pickup and meet your host family.
Sun, March 14
Guided tour of the Monte Albán archaeological site, followed by a welcome lunch.
Mon, March 15
Program orientation and a tour of the Centro de Esperanza Infantil. Afternoon walking tour of the Zócalo and market.
Tue, March 16 · Service learning
Educational experiences at local nonprofit. Afternoon printmaking class.
Wed, March 17 · Service learning
Educational experiences at local nonprofit. Traditional Oaxacan cooking class, lunch included.
Thu, March 18 · Service learning
Educational experiences at local nonprofit. Afternoon exploring the murals of the Jalatlaco neighborhood.
Fri, March 19 · Service learning
Educational experiences at local nonprofit. Free afternoon.
Sat, March 20
Day trip to Teotitlán del Valle: the town, church and market, and the Vida Nueva Women’s Weaving Cooperative. Farewell lunch at Vida Nueva, then a stop at the famous Tule Tree.
Sun, March 21
Airport drop-off. Safe travels home.
Itinerary is tentative and may change.
AFTER (March–May)
Reflect on the experience, build the exhibition, and present to the campus during finals week.
$2,150 per student for a group of 10–15
$2,000 per student for a group of 16–20
The more students who go, the lower the price.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
- Homestay with a host family
- Three meals a day
- Airport pickup and drop-off in Oaxaca
- Private transportation for excursions
- All entrance fees and guided tours
- Service learning at a local school
- Cooking, printmaking and cultural activities
- Pre-departure and on-site orientation
- On-site program staff with 24-hour emergency support
- Welcome and farewell events
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights to and from Oaxaca (you book your own)
- Laundry
- WT tuition and fees for the course
KEY DATES
December 19, 2026 · Application and $250 deposit due (non-refundable)
January 5, 2027 · Remaining balance and program forms due
WHO CAN GO
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Enrolled in MATH 3301 or MCOM/COMM 4300/5300 for Spring 2027
- Spanish is not required. Homestays pair Spanish speakers with non-Spanish speakers.
- Group size: 10 to 20 students
TO APPLY, CONTACT:
Dr. Nancy García-Franken (COMM/MCOM)· ngarcia@wtamu.edu
Dr. Audrey Meador (MATH)· ameador@wtamu.edu
YOUR SAFETY
- Trip partner Arcos Learning Abroad provides an on-site director and 24-hour emergency support.
- The U.S. Consulate is located in Oaxaca City.
- Hospitals, clinics and pharmacies with English-speaking staff are near student housing.
QUESTIONS
Do I need to speak Spanish?
No. Host families are assigned so that Spanish speakers and non-Spanish speakers are paired together, and program staff help with communication throughout the trip.
Do I have to travel to take MATH 3301?
No. You can take MATH 3301 on campus without traveling. Students who travel complete projects tied to the trip instead of the regular course projects.
If you are registered for a COMM/MCOM class, travel is required as part of the course.
How do I get to Oaxaca?
You book your own flight into Oaxaca International Airport (OAX), but we will likely take the same flight as a group. Program staff pick you up on March 13 and take you back on March 21.
Where will I stay?
With a host family in Oaxaca City. Two to three WT students stay in each home, and your host family provides breakfast, lunch and dinner.
What is the deposit for?
The $250 deposit holds your spot. It is due with your application on December 19 and is non-refundable.
Is financial help available?
More information will be shared soon.