About Mexico and the Area

DATES: Courses start the first Monday of each month; other dates on request
*2008 Holidays (no class):  Jan 1, Feb 4, Mar 17, 20, 21, May 1, 5, Sep 1, 16, Oct 12, Nov 2, 17, Dec 12, 25, 31

Buenavista

Buenavista de Cuellar is a village located about an hour's drive from Cuernavaca and is the home of the Rural Studies Program. It is a charming small town, reflecting the serenity of decades past, with adobe walls and tiled roofs and a population of 9,000 people, nestled in an agricultural valley, just over the state line in the neighboring state of Guerrero. Buenavista is a relatively prosperous community, with cattle raising and production of byproducts (cheese, milk, leather products) of this as primary sources of income. Many of the village's residents live and work in the United States during agricultural production periods and return to their homes for holidays or seasonal work. While this is not a primary focus for the school, many students who have studied in Buenavista have found that their stay in the village provided insight into the lives and concerns of the large migrant population, giving them a new perspective not frequently recognized or appreciated in the United States. In addition, talking with members of the family who have been "left behind" enables students who have interest in these areas to develop a more complete view of the social, economic, and personal lives of the people who have been forced to choose this way of life and work. Other students are preparing for work in Mexico, Central America or South America through church organizations, the Peace Corps or other government agencies from countries around the world, and still others are carrying out research as part of foundation grants or as members of NGO's. In many cases, the populations with whom these language students will be working are more similar to the people from Buenavista, rather than Mexican urban populations.

Cuernavaca

Cuernavaca the capital of the State of Morelos, is located just about an hour south of Mexico City. It is a city of 500,000 inhabitants with the many advantages of a large city. Because of its mild climate year-round, Cuernavaca is known as "The City of Eternal Spring".

Cuernavaca's proximity to Mexico City affords students the opportunity to take advantage of the capital to the fullest. Students may visit its museums, prehispanic ruins and colonial buildings, theaters, markets, night life, etc.

Guadalajara

Mild and cool, mile high Guadalajara is spread amid a Savannah of grasses and shrubbery and blooming flowers. For those interested in Latin American culture, there is a wealth of things to see and do. Theater, art exhibits, writers' forums, craft shows, drama clubs, museums, and concerts are but a few of the many offerings in this, the second largest city (5-6 million) in Mexico. Rodeos, soccer matches and health clubs beckon the more active. People watching is a favorite for the less active.

Guadalajara was founded in 1542 and was built according to classical urbanization designs of the time. A walk through the city center area is a rediscovery of over 400 years of history abounding with architectural gems and welcoming plazas. The Spanish Language School is located in a pleasant small house in a residential section of Guadalajara and is easily accessible via city bus to the downtown area.

Guanajuato

The city is a maze of cobblestone streets and alleys that wind around steep hillsides upon a small ravine, opening into vistas of beautiful churches and small plazas. The famous Underground Street, officially known as Calle Miguel Hidalgo, follows the course of the old Guanajuato river and runs barely 3 kilometres beneath the city. Guanajuato has no traffic lights or neon signs, creating an extremely enjoyable place to walk, peaceful, yet with plenty of life in the streets, and plenty to see.

Guanajuato hosts several festivals through the year:

• Festival Cervantino, a major international art fiesta on the streets and theaters each October (1th to 17th in 1999). After Miguel de Cervantes, author of "Don Quixote," whose plays are performed by college students on a small and picturesque plaza.
• Hot Air Balloon Festival, runs each November.
• Alfenique Fair, Last days of October, November 1st and 2nd, at San Fernando Square. Many vendors of almond candies in various shapes, and traditional skulls labeled on foreheads with proper names. Prizes given to best works.
• The Festival de la Presa marks the start of the rainy season, and it officially begins on June 24th.

Oaxaca

Oaxaca is an enchanting colonial town, where you will discover both a modern Mexico and ancient indigenous culture. The indigenous groups who once inhabited the nearby archaeological sites of Monte Albán, Mitla and Yagul continue to influence the language, lifestyle, and art of the area. The heart of the city of Oaxaca is the zócalo, or main square, which is surrounded by a mix of colonial architecture and an indigenous marketplace. The zócalo, just a short walk from the Institute, is host to concerts, parades, and sidewalk cafes that provide a comfortable setting for relaxing after class.

At the Institute, you can study Spanish while enjoying one of Oaxaca´s many charms: the climate. The abundant gardens invite you to study, converse, or relax among the plants and palm trees of the Institute's lush grounds. Absorb the midday sun or hide yourself in the shade of a palm frond as you bask in the year-round comfort of Oaxaca´s beautiful weather. Thanks to Oaxaca´s location in the state's central valley at 5,000 feet above sea level, the city enjoys pleasant weather during all seasons. The Institute's vibrant gardens are the perfect place to take advantage of the ideal climate found in Oaxaca.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen a relaxed city in the state of Quintana Roo, is located in the heart of the Mayan Riviera of Mexico, approximately 40 minutes by automobile from Cancun. The climate is tropical year round, with the warmest time of year between April and August. Playa del Carmen is well-known worldwide because of its relaxed, tropical atmosphere and its unmatched beautiful beaches. With a resident population of 60,000 inhabitants, Playa del Carmen is a great place to enjoy the cultural and historic richness of Mexico and the Mayan people. Sports enthusiasts will find a multitude of activities available for their participation, such as snorkeling, scuba diving, volleyball, horseback riding, golf, tennis, soccer, jogging, and swimming.

Playa del Carmen is located within short driving distance to many sites of current and historical interest. These destinations include the ruins of Tulum and Chichen-Itza, exciting Cancun and colonial Merida. The crime rate in Playa del Carmen is low, and the inhabitants are refreshingly curious and friendly, always ready to assist you.

Puerta Vallarta

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, is a veritable paradise on the Pacific coast. Tucked into a niche in the West Sierra Madre mountain range, it can be reached in 30 minutes from Guadalajara by air or in four hours by road. It is a city of contrasts, where natural beauty blends with modern tourist development. Although it has luxury hotels and innumerable services for tourists, it is still pleasant to stroll down its cobbled streets and enjoy the charm of an old-style country town.

Queretaro

Located in the heart of México, the city and school are 200 km north of México City, the country's capital and one of the world's largest cities. Santiago de Querétaro is rich in history and colonial architecture, besides being one of the largest industrial and business centers of modern México. The downtown of the capital of Querétaro has been declared a Cultural Heritage of Mankind site by UNESCO. It offers to its visitors the tradition of 460 years of history printed on its aqueduct, temples and the large ancient colonial houses that make this city one of the most beautiful colonial places in México. It is also one of the safest and cleanest cities in the country and only a few hours away from other colonial cities such as Guanajuato and San Miguel de Allende, a major center for Mexican and international art.

Some of the most important events of the Mexican Independence movement took place in this city around 1810 and, also, Querétaro was the home for many important figures who now form part of the country's history. Querétaro offers art and a variety of cultural events, as well as many recreational activities such as football, golfing, fishing, bullfights, horse back riding, charreadas, camping and swimming as well as getting a great sun tan. It has Spring-like weather the entire year, a big attraction for nature lovers. Among Querétaro's beauties is San Joaquín. A beautiful municipality that rivals the most amazing nature you can find. It has the "Durazno" waterfalls, caverns and the archeological site called "Ranas". The city also has the "Sierra Gorda" which is one of the largest untamed regions of the central part of México. A vast territory that offers five beautiful missions founded in the 18th century and a sharp contrast between the warm almost tropical landscape of the northern parts of Jalpan, which belong to the Huasteca region, and the pine-covered hills of Pinal de Amoles, a municipality located in the highest lands, where snow can often be found during the winter.