The California-Mexico Studies Center (CMSC) is also pleased to announce the launching of two new California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Programs to travel in the Fall and Winter 2016 terms. Both Fall and Winter programs will offer DACA-mented students the unique opportunity to study-abroad in Mexico for 21 days.  During their 3-week travel-study experience, the participating Dreamers will also have the chance to travel independently and discover Mexico on their own, and/or visit their birthplace to reconnect with their families and relatives for 9 days.

After their independent family travel, the Dreamers will proceed to Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico where they will immerse into a comprehensive language and cultural educational program at the Centro Tlahuica de Lenguas e Intercambio Cultural (CETLALIC) Institute; which consists of historical, cultural, linguistic, and academic "cátedras" on social movements, the Mexican educational, economic and political systems, various museum and archeological visits, and a 10-day home-stay living experience with Mexican host families while attending CETLALIC.

The CMSC will continue to raise funds and solicit colleges and universities to provide scholarships for applicants who want to participate in our California-Mexico Dreamers Study abroad programs. However, the CMSC cannot predict how many participants can be supported financially by the CMSC through fundraising and sponsors.

Since we have included many Dreamers that were willing to pay all program expenses on their own ($5,000) in our Summer 2016 program, the Fall and Winter 2016 program application is open to anyone that is interested to participate as self-paid participant.

Unlike previous California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad programs which were partially funded by grants from foundations such as the U.S.-Mexico Foundation and the J untos Podemos Foundation, the CMSC has thus far not been able to secure foundation grants to support the Fall and Winter 2016 Programs.

DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE FALL & WINTER PROGRAM:

Given that the CMSC has no funding at this time for scholarships to support future participants in our programs, the application for the Fall 2016 program is only for Dreamers that are willing to pay on their own the full amount of their participation (a total of $5,000).

Whereas the Winter 2016 program is open for applicants that are willing to pay on their own, we invite applicants that can only pay the required minimum of $2,500, and encourage Dreamers to continue seeking funding for at least $2,500 in financial support from their own college/university or independent sponsors.

Please be aware that you can apply for either program or both, depending on your personal financial resources and time availability during the travel dates.

PROGRAM APPLICATIONS DEADLINE AND GUIDELINES:

FALL 2016 PROGRAM:

• Application deadline: July 20, 2016
• Travel Dates: October 15, 2016 to November 6, 2016
• Open to 'Self-Paid' participants only

WINTER 2016 PROGRAM:

 

Also note that this is the initial phase of the application process, and once you complete and email the application form, you will be instructed to complete the second phase, which requires you to send 2 letters of recommendation.

• Establish a replicable educational program model for Dreamers' Study Abroad Projects at other colleges and universities through the DACA Advance Parole process;
• Establish the administrative framework for a model that can be reproduced by any U.S. institution of Higher Education;
• Continue and expand video and photo documentation of Dreamers' human stories;
• Prepare participant Dreamers as ambassadors of the model, for them to replicate similar programs at their own colleges and universities, based on their personal experience;
• Train the participants to become advocates and providers of DACA/Advance Parole processing services;
• Allow the Dreamers to spend 1 to 2 weeks in their communities of origin with their family and relatives, and to discover their roots in Mexico on their own;

• Be 21 years-old or older at the time of travel;
• Have a current passport from the Dreamers' country of origin;
• Secure Advance Parole authorization from USCIS (after being accepted to the program);
• Commit to travel and participate in all program activities;
• Must have at least $2,500 in advance for airfare, registration, tuition, & Advance Parole fees, or the full amount of $5,000 to also cover the $2,500 travel-study expense while in Mexico.

• CSULB course credit, Spanish and Mexican Culture instruction;
• Room & Board, field trips, meals and local transportation;
• Visit with family and discover Mexico during the study abroad experience;
• Re-enter the U.S. legally and allow Dreamers to clear the prior unauthorized entry;
• Develop leadership skills to create similar programs or other projects that benefit Dreamers.