IMMERSION TRIPS
Are you thinking of accelerating your study of Spanish by spending a couple of weeks or more in a foreign country?
The more time you can immerse yourself in the language the more you'll learn, even a stay of a week or two can be helpful. Mayasol offers a very unique language and culture adventure to distinct destinations in Mexico.
Spanish Adventure Program
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Our Program
In partnership with Universal Centro de Lenguas y Comunicación Social in Cuernavaca Mexico, Mayasol offers this unique Spanish immersion program to students of all levels . The goal of the program is to expose students to the richness of Mexican culture and to encourage students to develop conversational skills in the Spanish language.
Cuernavaca is situated in a pleasant valley about an hour southwest of Mexico City, one of the most sophisticated and cosmopolitan cities in the world. It is known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its beautiful weather year round and its lush vegetation. Given its ideal climate, rich historical and cultural heritage, proximity to Mexico City, and array of recreational sites, Cuernavaca has become the most important centre of language training in Latin America. There are plenty of interesting towns and recreational sites in and around the state of Morelos where Cuernavaca is located –all within a day’s reach. Cuernavaca is a midsize city with many cultural attractions, and it is a popular destination for people escaping the hectic pace of life in Mexico City on the weekends. Frequent field trips to museums, historical sites, and monuments take students out of the classroom and allow them to learn about Mexico by observing and interacting with the Mexican people.
During your stay at Universal, you will live with carefully chosen families to enhance your immersion experience. Your host family will provide a comfortable room and three meals a day. The unique experience of living with a Mexican family in a Spanish-speaking environment, eating authentic Mexican food and following the family and national customs will complete your immersion into Mexican culture. In a study abroad program such as this one, a language student may spend much of their time with the host family. For that reason, Universal works as a team with the families to make the students stay as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
The time the student spends with the host family is an opportunity to acquire the culture and language in the most natural of settings, and a very low-anxiety environment. The Mexican families that work with Universal enjoy having Spanish language students in their homes, valuing the opportunity as much as the students do. In addition to being experienced in providing a pleasant homestay, families are required to attend regular meetings which emphasize the important role they play in the Spanish immersion program. Families are in frequent communication with the school make sure the quality of service is the best it can be.
Most families live within walking distance to the school with a majority of them living on the same street.. Students will be placed (prior to their arrival) as closely to their room requests as possible, taking into account the following factors: shared (with a student of choice or one assigned by the school) or private room, smoker or non-smoker, dietary habits (vegetarian meals, etc), allergies, etc. Once a student arrives to their host family, they will be integrated as a member of the family and included in family activities, as desired. Home stays provide students with a safe, clean, comfortable environment, as well as with social contact and a rich cultural experience.
Class orientation and placement testing will be given first thing on Friday morning, the day after arriving in Cuernavaca. All students will be grouped by Spanish ability based on a brief written, auditory and oral placement test. Students will then be placed into the appropriate group of no more than 5 students. Classes will then commence the following Monday morning.
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2 weeks of classes (Regular Spanish Program) 4 hrs per day, Monday-Friday
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Homestay: 16 nights (3 meals daily, semi-private room)
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Airport pick-up/drop-off from Mexico City to Cuernavaca
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Two cultural excursions with group (day trips)
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plus
** Exciting weekend excursion to Mexico City
*includes: Transportation, Hotel (two nights) entrance to: Anthropology Museum, Chapultepec Castle and History Museum, Diego Rivera’s murals in the National Palace, National Cathedral and Grand Temple in the city centre, Frida Kahlo Museum Mexican dance classes, Conferences, use of pool, Movie presentations and FIESTAS!!!!
We will also be organizing many optional day excursions that you may take part in. As well as weekend excursion to Acapulco, Xochicalco Archeological Site etc.
Universal also offers:
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Access to computer/internet
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Money exchange
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Stamps/mail service
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Laundry service
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Cafeteria (daily lunch/snacks for purchase)
If you choose not to live with a Mexican family during your time at Universal, we can make arrangements for you to stay at a hotel located one block from the school....but we highly recommend that you take advantage of our homestay program...It is an invaluable way to learn about Latin American culture and an important factor in mastering Spanish.
The average daytime temperatures in Cuernavaca range from 21-28 degrees Celsius. Although the summer months in Cuernavaca are warm and sunny it is the rainy season and although it usually only rains for a short time a rain jacket or umbrella is recommended. The winter months in Cuernavaca are usually warm and sunny. In both the summer and winter months the evenings can cool down so a light jacket or sweater is suggested.
Please let us know in advance of any special requests i.e.: dietary restrictions, allergies, smoking or non-smoking room, special medical needs etc.
or if you would prefer a private room or alternative accommodations at a hotel.
winter 2025
January 31st-February 14th ( 2 weeks ) $1800 (Us dollars)
This price does not include airfare.
***If you wish to stay for longer than 2 weeks, or if you prefer to travel to Universal and study on your own instead of with a group we can arrange that for you as well.***
Contact us for more information today!
TESTIMONIALS
"Excellent school! This is a great way to learn Spanish. I like the approach: we get to speak a lot in class and it's definitely a good thing - You need to speak it to learn it. I especially like the small classes. This creates a friendly informal atmosphere where everyone feels accepted, not intimidated, and we can each get enough individual attention. I feel that the teachers pick the right pace, which, again is possible due to small classes. It's definitely good that we learn from native Spanish speakers: we not only learn the language, but cultural aspects as well which is very interesting. I started level 1 with no prior knowledge of Spanish other than a few words and I can honestly say that I learned A LOT! Overall, a great experience! I definitely recommend it to anyone who wants to learn espanol!!!"
Dale Boost
"I like the format. Two nights a week helps reinforce what I have learned. Two hours/night is perfect. The written exercises are helpful for me to review on my own. "Me gusto la maestra" She repeated everything in Spanish which helped me get used to listening."
Jo-Anne