Applications are being accepted from West Virginia high school Spanish students wanting to participate in a study abroad program south of the border this summer.

The West Virginia University pre-college study abroad program, titled”LOS ESCALADORES ,”is designed for West Virginia high school students who have completed a minimum of two years of Spanish or the equivalent by the end of the 2001 spring semester.

LOS ESCALADORES is aimed at helping high school students improve their fluency in Spanish as well as increase their capacity to accept, appreciate, and interact with people from different cultural, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It is sponsored and coordinated by the WVU Extension Service in cooperation with the WVU Office of International Programs.

In addition, it is intended to help them more clearly understand problems facing low-income communities and strengthen their leadership, decision-making, problem-solving, and community service skills.

Students selected for the program will spend four weeks in Guanajuato, Mexico, from June 9 to July 7. The program includes formal study, presentations and discussions, host family living, community service activities, field trips, and social activities.

Applications are being accepted through Jan. 20, 2001. To apply, please send a completed application form and an essay of 400 to 500 words in English on a separate piece of paper to the following address: Program Center for 4-H and Youth, Family, and Adult Development; WVU Extension Service; 616 Knapp Hall; PO Box 6031; Morgantown, WV 26506 -6031.

Applicants should indicate in their essays why they wish to participate in LOS ESCALADORES , how they plan to use what they learn from the experience, and why Mexico is important to West Virginia students. In addition, applicants must submit a parent or guardian consent form and a Spanish teacher’s recommendation.

Interviews will be held on Jan. 27. Up to 15 participants will be selected. Notification of selection will be mailed in early February. Participants and their families will be expected to attend an orientation meeting in March on the WVU campus in Morgantown.

The trip will be preceded by up to three orientation and training workshops to be conducted at West Virginia University and other locations in the state. A team of chaperones will accompany students from West Virginia on the trip, including an Extension faculty member and a high school Spanish teacher.

The cost for each participant is $1,825. The price includes round-trip airfare, ground transportation while in Mexico, Guanajuato orientation, homestays with host families in Guanajuato, three meals per day, daily Spanish language and culture classes at the University of Guanajuato Language Center, access to the language lab at the university, field trips to points of interest in Mexico, participation in community service activities, health insurance, pre-trip workshops conducted in West Virginia, and guest lectures and discussions on topics related to Mexico, such as education, culture, and family and teen life.

For more information or to obtain an application, contact Richard Fleisher, Extension specialist, by phone at (304)-293-2694, by fax at (304) 293-8747, or e-mail at rfleishe@wvu.edu . Applications are also available at local county Extension offices.