Summer Academy
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2024 Pre-College Summer Showcase in Latin American Studies
This free, one-day event for rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, will introduce participants to the exciting, interdisciplinary Latin American Studies (LAS) major and its relevance for today’s globalized world. Students must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Registration required. Register here. The 2024 Latin American Studies Summer Showcase will take place at the UT campus on Saturday, July 20, 2024, in the Benson Latin American Collection, 2300 Red River Street.
The Pre-College Summer Showcase will introduce participants to the exciting, interdisciplinary Latin American Studies (LAS) major and its relevance for today’s globalized world.
Attendees will meet UT faculty, students, and staff, and to learn about the UT admission process, LAS funding opportunities, study abroad, and introductory classes focusing on language, history, or culture of Latin America taught by renowned UT faculty.
Attendees will receive UT swag and a best-selling graphic novel. Free parking, coffee breaks, and a catered lunch are provided.
Space is limited, so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to jump-start your college journey!*
* Participation in the LLILAS Summer Showcase does not guarantee admission to UT Austin or any academic program.
The Latin American Studies Summer Academy at LLILAS Benson introduces rising high school juniors and seniors to the richness and complexity of Latin America’s history, culture, and contemporary issues. In tandem, students will gain an awareness of resources, services, and opportunities at UT Austin, while exploring Latin America at the Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS), Benson Latin American Collection, and other campus units.
The academy is rooted in community, student empowerment, and social justice. Over the course of the program, students will experience the college atmosphere as they explore topics related to Latin America, building confidence and developing a sense of what it is to be a “Latin Americanist.”
First-generation and BIPOC* students are encouraged to apply. Questions? Contact us at LLILAS_SummerAcademy@austin.utexas.edu.
*Black, Indigenous, and people of color
Application Deadline: Information to come in spring 2024
The academy is tuition-free. All events are organized and hosted by LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections.
During the Summer Academy, you will participate in interactive workshops and events to introduce you to Latin American Studies (LAS) at UT Austin. You’ll meet other high school students from around Texas, as well as LAS majors, faculty, and alumni of our program who are making a difference in the world.
Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary major at The University of Texas at Austin, offering courses in history, government, Black diaspora studies, literature, Spanish and Portuguese, geography, journalism, and more. Many people double major in LAS and another subject they love.
Learn More About Latin American Studies at UT Austin
What Can I Do with a Latin American Studies Major?
Tanya Velazquez, LLILAS Class of 2024
Meet Tanya Velazquez, LLILAS Class of 2024. A native of Fort Worth, Tanya graduated with a double-major in Latin American Studies and Journalism, with certificates in Human Rights & Social Justice and Business Spanish.
Check out Tanya’s student spotlight on LLILAS Instagram.
Tanya's dream is to work as a bilingual news reporter, and just prior to graduation, she was offered and accepted a job at Spectrum News 1 in Columbus, Ohio!
Tanya was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement as a Dean's Distinguished Graduate (honorable mention) by the UT College of Liberal Arts.
“Being a Latin American Studies major has greatly enriched my learning experience at the University of Texas at Austin,” she says. “As a person of Indigenous Mexican descent (Otomí), I had the opportunity to study my own culture and learn about other Latin American populations. Since freshman year, I have worked toward my goal of becoming a bilingual news reporter, and one day becoming an international correspondent in Spanish-speaking countries. My LAS major has provided me with the knowledge I will need to report on these communities with the proper context and tone.”
Learn More About Latin American Studies at UT Austin
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Ana Vidina Hernandez, Class of 2015
Meet Ana Vidina Hernandez, a former LLILAS major who combines Latin American Studies with Social Work in her job as Program Coordinator at Girasol Texas. Ana graduated from UT Austin with her bachelor’s in Latin American Studies and History in 2015, and earned her MA in Latin American Studies and MS in Social Work in 2018, also at UT Austin.
“The LLILAS undergraduate degree gave me the opportunity to learn about the history and contemporary contexts of Latin American countries, understand the perspectives of different disciplines—such as history, sociology, and anthropology—and explore my own heritage. Without the support of LLILAS, I would not have had the opportunity to study abroad in Nicaragua. Connecting with faculty and students throughout campus who were affiliated with LLILAS made me feel that I was part of a larger academic community and helped me explore future career options. As a result, I was able to start Girasol Texas, a program that focuses on immigrant justice and mental health. Using my background in Latin American Studies, I am able to approach my work with an understanding of diversity within and beyond Latin America, and with a deep appreciation of the contexts of Latinx immigrants in the United States.”
2021 Summer Academy Highlights
The 2021 Summer Academy was held on Zoom Monday, June 21, through Friday, June 25. Topics and activities included:
‣ Latin American History
‣ Latin American Politics
‣ Environmental Issues in Latin America
‣ Resources to Study Portuguese and Indigenous Languages at UT Austin
‣ The Benson Latin American Collection
‣ Funding and Internship Opportunities for College Students
‣ UT Study Abroad Programs in Latin America
