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Frequently Asked Questions About Our Programs The first few questions are about language courses which apply to the Winter/Spring Study Abroad Program only. I am interested in attending one of your programs, but I was wondering about the language requirement/criteria. My Spanish proficiency is very very low. Do you suggest that I take some beginning Spanish classes before I apply to your program? Your personal enjoyment and satisfaction of the OSEA program will be based to a great extent on your ability to communicate effectively with Spanish speakers. Any Spanish language courses you can take before entering the OSEA immersion program will greatly enhance your language abilities and, thus, your ability to communicate. You will benefit in the short and long run. The summer program does not offer, at this time, Spanish language classes. Students wishing to participate in this program should have some level of Spanish proficiency to conduct field research. You will continue to learn Spanish through immersion and we expect participants to have varying ranges of Spanish language abilities. Courses are conducted in English. Is the language immersion part of your program geared for beginners? We assume that you have taken some basic Spanish but we do not expect fluency from any student unless a native Spanish speaker. The level of fluency that is required to conduct ethnographic research is in some sense “higher” than what might be otherwise expected of conversational fluency. Thus, all OSEA Training Programs start with an intensive Spanish language training and total immersion that is focused on getting students ready for fieldwork and everyday life in Spanish. I am a native speaker of Spanish, will I have to take the intensive Spanish language course? Native Spanish speakers or those with proven high levels of proficiency can opt out of Spanish and substitute it with the “Introduction to Spoken Yucatec Maya.” What is the level of Spanish taught in the introductory course? The initial Intensive Language Component is conducted at the level of proficiency of the particular students that participate in each program. OSEA provides training in Spanish and Maya at the level at which you are at. This makes it very important for us to have an accurate assessment of your language abilities. This makes it easier for us to design each program according to the cohort of student participants. I am interested in the OSEA programs, but cannot attend during the spring. Is there a fall semester or quarter? OSEA programs are all scheduled for January through August with a winter quarter, spring/summer writer's workshop, and 5–6 week summer session. We do not schedule courses for the fall. September is hurricane season and it is therefore not an appropriate time to bring students to Yucatán for a study abroad experience. Does everyone learn Maya? How can I learn Maya if I am not fluent with Spanish? Everyone learns at least a little basic Yucatec Maya. Most everyone that we interact with are either Spanish speakers or bi-lingual Spanish and Maya. Learning basic Maya greetings and situational dialogues will greatly enhance your participation in the program. Being able to speak a little Maya transforms your everyday experience into a truly interactive and rewarding immersion. Some students with substantial Spanish fluencies can substitute out the Spanish course for a more intensive and rigorous introduction to Yucatec Maya. Is it safe to bring my camera and computer equipment? Yucatán is very safe and there is a additional emphasis on public safety in the tourist zones. Of course you should always use common sense and never leave your equipment unattended. If you are concerned beyond these precautions, we suggest you contact your insurance company before you leave home and ask about special coverage while you are traveling. Most homeowners and renters insurance policies will allow you to take out a special “equipment rider”. This covers accidental damage resulting from such things as spilling coke on your keyboard, dropping your camera, or losing equipment while traveling. What if I have special diet requirements? Please let us know this on the Program Application. We will make every effort to ensure your diet requirements are met. Please note that the Yucatec diet relies heavily on meat and corn tortillas. However, there are vegetarian and even vegan options. What is the climate like in the summer? For the most part, temperatures are usually in the high 80s and lower 90s with high humidity and it cools off at night. The climate is very similar that of the US southeastern states (Florida and Georgia). Mid-afternoon rains often cool off the day. Remember that many locations are open-air and not air conditioned as they are in the USA. This is all part of the experience of being in México–many people think the climate is wonderful – mostly sunny with bright blue skies year ’round. What if I have special medical needs? This depends on your own requirements and the advice of your physician. OSEA requires a medical form be filled out from your physician stating you are able to participate in our programs. The programs are not physically strenuous but we will do a lot of walking, standing, moving around, and occasional climbing of pyramids. We will work in group situations and the ability to work well with others is important. Medical services are very good in the Yucatán and many medicines can be found locally and often are less expensive than they are in the USA. If you are on any medications, please bring copies of your prescriptions with you. If you have any questions, please contact us. Should I carry cash or traveller’s checks with me? We highly recommend the use of debit cards at ATM machines (Cajero Autómatico) that are found almost everywhere in the Yucatán. In this way you can withdraw money as you need it and take advantage of the best exchange rates. In addition, you will not have to worry about carrying a lot of cash. There are several banks in Mérida and Playa del Carmen: BanaMex, Banco Santander, Bancomer, and others that are easily accessible. Many high-end stores and restaurants will accept credit cards but smaller stores, artisans, and many local restaurants only accept cash. We do not recommend traditional Traveller's Checks since it is often inconvenient and difficult to find a location to exchange them. |