Fall in Taos is in its second year, and the program is expecting to extend the vision that was created from solely summer programs and make it available to students for a whole semester.

“What we have created in Taos in the past 30 years is an educational experience that you can get in a hands-on way, in Taos, and you can’t get here,” Michael Adler, executive director, said.

The campus is set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains surrounded by the Carson National Forest.

“Taos has a laidback atmosphere that is influenced by the Native American and Hispanic culture.  It is an artistic community and a popular place for retirement and summer homes,” junior Rachel Darst said.

The program offers a variety of classes for students who attend in the fall. Each of them will participate in a block schedule. The blocks are 23 days, and all students will enroll in a cultural formation called the ‘Taos experience.’ This course focuses on conflict and reconciliation, according to Dr. Adler, who teaches the course.

Along with this course, students are expected to participate in service learning opportunities. Last year, students visited a local organic farm to learn organic farming.

Other kids went to the high school and got involved with a micro-loan program, which allowed students the opportunity to start their own entrepreneurial businesses.

The Taos program intends to continue to expand the course offerings and make it easier for students to go without feeling like they will get behind.

SMU professors and adjunct professors who live on campus with the students teach the courses.

Sophomore CJ Camerato said, “You’re going to breakfast, lunch and dinner with them and their families. You really get to know your professors inside and out.”

Dr. Adler said they maintain a small class setting.

“The educational opportunity was incredible,” Camerato, who went to Taos last fall, said. “It is completely different then Dallas.”

The program features an honors format, in small classes, with a field trip experience. Dr. Adler believes it will take few years to get the program exactly where program planners would like but, it will always maintain a small class setting.

Camerato advises students to “do everything possible to make it work and bring your friends. We made a small family there.”

For more information on SMU in Taos visit www.smu.edu/taos.