The Mexican Embassy announced it was accepting applications for five full scholarships to any of the 69 institutions of high learning in Mexico. A number of seats are also still available for Spanish language classes offered at its chancery in Hannam-dong in Seoul starting Thursday.

Graduate and post-graduate students are eligible for the scholarships for studies in medical and other advanced science-oriented areas.

Only one Korean student benefited from the scholarships last year due to the limited public awareness of the academic opportunities provided by the embassy, according to a Mexican official at the embassy.

The scholarships cover tuition, round-trip airfare and living expenses.

The deadline for applications is Aug. 6 and should be submitted to the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development or the National Institute for the Development of International Education.

For more information, visit the National Institute for International Education website, www.niied.go.kr.

The embassy also offers elementary and intermediate Spanish classes four days a week ― Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The elementary-level classes are from 10 to 11:20 a.m. and intermediate-level classes are from 11 a.m. to 12:50 p.m.

Students who complete the classes will be awarded a certificate of completion signed by Mexican Ambassador to Korea Jose Luis Bernal.

The embassy has been offering two three-week sessions, one in the winter and one in the summer, annually since 2006.

This summer’s session is taught by two experienced language instructors, former Hankuk University of Foreign Studies professors Victor Cortes and Elena Magana.

Classes are free but materials must be purchased. For more information about the language classes, contact Elena Son at (02)798-1694 ext. 305 or eson@sre.gob.mx.

(ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)