About the field of Latin American Studies: Latin American studies provide students with a firm foundation for understanding the society, history, and development of Latin American and the implications of that development. Students will consider the unique challenges and advantages of that region, and will be able to draw conclusions from their studies that they can apply in a variety of situations whether they are directly related to Latin America or not. Programs will frequently encompass time spent in the Latin American region for cultural immersion programs. Latin American studies can help prepare students for careers in an academic, social, government, or global setting. There are also a number of similar or related fields that students wishing to pursue an international understanding may wish to investigate. They include: African American studies , American studies , Canadian Studies , cultural studies , history , international studies , liberal studies , Middle Eastern studies , Native studies , social sciences , urban design , and women's studies . Understanding a different culture can help broaden horizons, and students studying Latin America will find that the region and its people have much to teach.