What is MATC MEXICO STUDY ABROAD?

MATC Mexico Study Abroad is a program designed for students

that want to better themselves via a total immersion experience in Mexico.
Studies show that the single most effective way to becoming bicultural is
one or more weeks of an intense immersion experience. The goal of this
program is to give students lifelong skills that will enable them to form
cross-cultural relationships, be effective in another culture, increase one's
self-confidence and to create a vision for how they can be a catalyst for
change in the world.
This program consists of 6 hours of daily language instruction of only
four students per teacher where the exclusive language of instruction is
Spanish. Students also stay with a Mexican family where they can practice
their Spanish and experience Mexico in a way that a tourist never could.
Weekends are reserved for students to visit sites of historical and cultural
importance where they can gain a greater insight into the Mexican
"experience.
This, in itself, would be an awesome learning experience for any
individual, but MATC takes this immersion program one step farther by
including a service-learning piece. Students are required to volunteer at
two local orphanages and one women's shelter. There they interact with
the children via art, craft, tutoring and sports activities. Most of these
children have been abandoned by their parents or been victims of violence
and/or addictions. Often they arrive at the center with little self-esteem and
confidence in others. Love and interaction from our students is a bright
spot in their life and many positive relationships are formed. Although one
begins this project thinking that they are "servicing the Mexican population,
it quickly becomes clear that these Mexican children are changing the
hearts of the MATC volunteers. t's a wonderful exchange and a heart-
warming activity for all!
This year we will be raising money to paint the kitchen of the
orphanage where the children are staying. The walls are very institutional
looking and we would like to create a family atmosphere by painting the
walls a happy color with perhaps designs to brighten the entire eating area.
We will need to collect brushes, rollers, paint money, and perhaps stencils
to make this project a reality. We are also investigating the possibility of
hanging wall art and perhaps mobiles to create a home-like atmosphere.
The kids are already excited and waiting!
This year's program will be offered in the summer and the winter with
the flexibility to stay 12, 18, or 32 days. The longer the student stays the
deeper and more profound is the impact that this experience has on their
lives. n addition, their language skills increase dramatically after the first
week, so participants are encouraged to stay for as long as they possibly
are able.
This study abroad program has successfully inspired more than 500
students over the years! Students that have attended have positively
changed in a myriad of ways. Some have pursued careers in international
business and others in bilingual education. Others have decided to enter
the service field with minors or majors in Spanish. Yet others have
returned to Mexico numerous times, with some taking up residence there!
One thing is clear; no one has come away unchanged. All have gained
new, insightful perspectives of the world that will serve them for a lifetime.
The students' desire to achieve new heights, change social wrongs, and
reach greater personal goals is all testimony to an experience that every
student should be able to benefit from. n short, their investment in this
study abroad program is truly an investment in their future!










___, 2011

Dear______________,
As you may know, a number of MATC students will spend part of this
winter participating in the Mexico Study Abroad Program by taking Spanish
immersion classes at the Cuauhnahuac Language nstitute, living with a
Mexican family and participating in service-learning projects at two local
orphanages and a women's center for battered mothers and children. Last
year, students painted the children's dormitory and renovated the
playground area. n addition, students set up projects and activities for
children that were greatly lacking in one on one interaction.
This semester have been studying diligently at MATC and have a
true desire to further my Spanish language study while learning to interact
effectively with the Mexican people and their culture. These lessons of
multicultural perspectives, total immersion, volunteer work in a foreign
country and language will all serve to better my future. Studies show that
one of the most important skills that a person could have in the United
States today is a multicultural base with Spanish being the most sought
after.
Because feel this is a learning opportunity that could only benefit my
future, am humbly asking for your support. The group will be participating
in a variety of fund-raising activities, but will still fall short of the total trip
cost which is $2,700. This price includes the airfare, Spanish immersion
classes, cultural seminars and excursions, and the Mexican home-stay with
meals provided. Although have saved diligently and have applied for the
$500 scholarship that MATC offers, am still in great need of support. am
hoping that you will find it in our heart to help sponsor my dream of
studying abroad. Months ago this would have only been a dream, but the
teachers at MATC and my family have tried to break the glass ceiling for
me. Any amount will be gratefully and humbly accepted and will be used
for the sole purpose of getting me to Cuernavaca, Mexico to improve my
Spanish fluency, broaden my world view and to do volunteer work. hope
that you will prayerfully consider this petition for help and if you cannot help
me financially in any way, ask that you will support me and this learning
venture with your positive thoughts and prayers.
Thank you in advance for any financial or emotional help that you can
give me as invest in my future! Upon my return from my immersion
experience, it is my plan to have a sponsorship gathering where will share
my pictures, experiences, and newly acquired Mexican cooking skills
(hopefully!) with those that sponsored me. Again, thank you for your
consideration of my need and look forward to seeing you soon!

Most sincerely,


____________________________