West Virginia University and the University of Guanajuato (UG) are co-sponsoring the 5th annual WVU Faculty and Staff Language Exchange from June 3-30.

This is a four-week cultural exchange for six university faculty and staff participants to study a language and to learn about another culture during the regular summer and vacation period.

Co-sponsored by WVU s Office of International Programs and the Department of Foreign Languages Intensive English Program (IEP), the exchange goals are to improve each participants language skills and increase cultural understanding between Morgantown and Guanajuato.

There are 43 graduates of the language exchange program from both universities.

The WVU faculty-staff exchange due date for applications is March 1. Exchange participants need to make an initial $150 deposit by March 30, towards the full $325 administrative fee. Applicants should be persons employed at the University.

In Mexico, the Spanish classes are free, with no tuition for language instruction. Participants receive free room and board with a Guanajuato host family. Living with a local host family adds a unique cultural experience.

A typical language program abroad would cost approximately $3,000 per participant plus airfare. But WVU s longstanding linkage with Guanajuato makes this a cost-effective cultural program. This program only requires participants to pay roundtrip airfare, health insurance, immunizations and personal expenses. No language prerequisites are required for enrollment.

Guanajuato Universitys webpage is http://www.ugto.mx/.

The exchange program follows an integrated language teaching approach. Participants from the United States are tested, then placed in Spanish courses as beginner, intermediate or advanced.

The universitys staff organizes a weekend tour to Mexico City or to towns close to Guanajuato. With 130,000 inhabitants, Guanajuato hosts the world-renowned Cervatino Festival and offers a daily dose of music and cultural events. June is a dry month with cool nights. Evening events include cultural arts, dance, ceramics, music and quilting.

In July, Guanajuatos participants will arrive in Morgantown and live here for four weeks while they attend classes in WVU s Intensive English Program. Morgantown families are needed to host Guanajuato faculty from July 1-28. Each host family receives a stipend to cover costs of meals, food and a private bedroom. Meals may include a breakfast snack, brown bag lunch and dinner coinciding with the local familys routine. There is also a welcome reception for host families plus other events and travel opportunities with the six visiting Mexican faculty.

The Universitys Office of International Programs enrolls WVU applicants, providing an orientation and planning assistance. For more information, visithttp://wvu.edu/~intlprogor contact WVU coordinator George Lies, 304-293-6955, ext. 4, or George.Lies@mail.wvu.edu .