What to Expect

Latin American students learn about past and present problems in Latin America. They learn about the needs and cultural expectations of the people.

Exploring the Peruvian Amazon was not what Biasha Mitchell imagined she would be doing as part of her Latin American studies degree. Instead of writing an honors thesis in her senior year at Stanford, however, she chose the option of traveling to Latin America to do a student internship and found herself on the banks of the famous river.

"It was a challenging and exciting experience," she says. "As a result of my internship, I am...interested in the relationship between conservation and community development, particularly in the Amazonian regions of South America."

Some of Mitchell's classes covered the political systems of Chile, Argentina and Brazil; 20th-century Brazil; and ecological anthropology.

Stephany Arroyo also took Latin American studies at Stanford. She liked the flexibility students had to formulate their own curriculum. "If students want smaller seminar-type classes, they can do that. If they enjoy larger lecture classes that meet daily, they can do that as well."

Class sizes tend to be small. "Plus speakers, fiestas, symposiums and lectures are always taking place," says Arroyo, "which makes the program exciting and informative."

Peter Murphy warns that the interdisciplinary nature of the program can be difficult. "Some people may have problems with language or literature, others with economics. While there is some room to customize your program, it helps to be prepared for all kinds of different courses in the different dimensions of the different countries that make up the region."

Mitchell says the key to staying ahead of difficulties is managing time efficiently and effectively. "It is important to get started on assignments early and try not to stress yourself out too much," she says.

How to Prepare

Language is the most important consideration for high school students interested in Latin American studies. "Training in Spanish or Portuguese is a wonderful asset in studying abroad and looking for summer research or project opportunities," says Mitchell.

Other suggestions include social sciences and humanities, with a particular focus on history of the Americas. General academic preparation is important.

Latin Americans love music and dance. They are also passionate about soccer. Both would be good extracurricular activities for high school students with an interest in the region.