Chiapas, Mexico

Spring 2004, 2006, 2007, and 2008

Chiapas Mexico Program Flyer
(March 23, 2008 - March 31, 2008)

Experience Chiapas First-Hand

Students spend eight days in the heart of Chiapas, Mexico, examining the effects of globalization on indigenous economies. For the last eight years, Chiapas has been context for the study of indigenous and international organizational networks. Students and faculty participating in this program learn from the organizational strengths and alternative developments proposed by the indigenous and Mexican civil society.

A Connection to DePaul's Vincentian Mission

The Chiapas Program is aligned with the Vincentian mission of serving the poor and DePaul University's mission of education with social justice. Chiapas presents a contradiction of rich, fertile land with a poor indigenous population. In 1998, DePaul University's International Human Rights Law Institute began sending law students to Chiapas' indigenous communities to investigate human rights abuses. This study abroad program offers new opportunities for dialogue and reciprocal learning between impoverished indigenous communities of Chiapas and DePaul University.

Program highlights include:

• Visits to well-known nongovernmental organizations including International Service for Peace (SIPAZ), Global Exchange, Human Rights Center Fray Bartolome de Las Casas and others
• Interview with the director of Maya Vinic, a fair trade and organic coffee cooperative
• Discussion with the board of directors of Autonomous Zapatista Base of Polho
• Various tourist attractions including the indigenous market of Santo Domingo, the Artesania and Ethnic museum, the Zocalo (town square) and the Mayan museum
• Architectural tours including a visit to the Maya ruins of Palenque and Tonina

Please note: Students are not required to know Spanish to attend the program. Translations by the instructor will be provided.

For more information, contact Marco Tavanti

Study Abroad Program Application

>> Study Abroad >> Mexico >> Chiapas