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International strategy in Tottori Uni.

Overseas Practical Education Program in Mexico

Application Guidelines

Applications are accepted in May of every year.

(in preparation)

Activity Reports

Here is the link to information on Life experiences and comments by students taking part in the program.

mexico report

Program Overview

 

Overseas Practical Education Program in Mexico

Aims at Nurturing Human Resources who can contribute to a substainable global society.

Tottori University’s Education and Research motto is "fusion of knowledge and practice", and aims at "contributing to the building of a sustainable and prosperous society" as its international strategy. To this end, the University works towards enhancing students' ability to practice the theoretical knowledge obtained in lecture rooms, and globalizing the learning process. The nurtured graduates are then expected to play important roles on the World stage.

The Overseas Practical Education Program in Mexico is one of Tottori University’s international strategies to fulfill its Education and Research motto. The program is conducted in collaboration with several other internationally active institutions around the World. It is unique to Tottori University and aims to nurture Global Human Resources who can view challenges with a global perspective, and possess exceptional capabilities to address the challenges.

This program sends up to 20 carefully-selected students from different faculties of the University to study at the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS). UABCS along with the Center for Biological Research of Northwest Mexico, S.C. (CIBNOR), is located in La Paz, Baja California Sur, on the southern tip of the Baja California Peninsula in western Mexico. Students attend lectures and conduct field research under supervision by visiting instructors and researchers from UABCS and CIBNOR, UC Davis, as well as Tottori University.

To immerse our students further into Mexican culture, local students join study activities such as lectures and fieldwork. Additionally, some lessons on Latin-American Countries are provided. Through these and other efforts, this program deepens students' connections with the Mexican community.

Objectives

This program focuses on Mexico, a country that enjoys strong potential for growth but also faces many challenges. It seeks to achieve Tottori University's grand plan of developing a rich force of character in its students while cultivating them an international perspective and keenness as competent global citizens ready to take action.

To achieve this objective, students spend three months in Mexico, where they experience natural and cultural environments different from Japan's. As they engage in practical fieldwork and various tasks in both English and Spanish, students live with host families in order to improve their Spanish language skill and their understanding of foreign cultures while also enhancing their adaptability to foreign environments. It is through such efforts that they acquire the fundamental skills needed to be a driving force in global society. The program also allows students to set their own tasks, developing them into independent global citizens able to help themselves resolve these tasks.

Location

La Paz, Baja California Sur, United Mexican States

Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS)

The Center for Biological Research of Northwest Mexico, S.C. (CIBNOR)

*Language and lectures: UABCS; Fieldwork: CIBNOR

Autonomous University of Baja California Sur (UABCS)

The Center for Biological Research of Northwest Mexico, S.C. (CIBNOR)

Participating students

Around 15 students screened based on TOEIC score, GPA, and their application forms.

(in FY 2017, 12 students: 2 from the Faculty of Engineering and 10 from the Faculty of Agriculture)

 

[Instructors]

8 from Tottori University

1 visiting staff from the University of California, Davis

10 from UACBS as Spanish language lecturers

10 from CIBNOR, mostly in charge of fieldwork

 *The number of instructors changes every year depending on curriculum

[Courses]

<Language courses>

English Conversation at UABCS (1 credit)

Spanish Conversation at UABCS (2 credits)

 

<Lectures>

Contemporary Society and Economy of Mexico (1 credit)

Agriculture and the Natural Environment in Baja California Sur(1 credit)

Special Lecture at UABCS (2 credits)

 

<Fieldwork>

Fieldwork in Baja California Sur (5 credits)

 

[Program period (FY 2017)]

Pre-departure Orientation: May to August, 2017

Program duration in Mexico: About 3 months, from August 18 to November 20, 2017

Program completion report (on campus): December 15, 2017

Program completion report: January 21, 2018