To start the Spanish Language Program, you will arrive at the Mexico City Airport. An INTERCULTURAL representative will welcome you upon arrival and accompany you to Cuernavaca, Mexico, a tourist city known worldwide as “The City of Eternal Spring” for its wonderful climate of 70°-80°F (21°-28°C) all year-round, crystal skies, and radiant sun. Once in Cuernavaca, check-in at the INTERCULTURAL Spanish Language School and get acquainted with your Mexican host family. From there you will then go settle in at your homestay accommodation and prepare for your exciting Spanish Immersion Program.

On the second day of your Spanish Immersion Program, you will spend a day in MEXICO CITY, the largest city in the world. Visit the capital’s historical district and stroll through the PLAZA DE ARMAS, where you can admire the PALACIO NACIONAL and the CATHEDRAL METROPOLITANA, the oldest and largest church in Latin America. Walk through the ancient Aztec ruins to see the TEMPLO MAYOR and its pyramid remains. With luck you might see a huge crowd gathered to watch dancers perform traditional Aztec dances and ancient worship ceremonies. Lunch will be served from the balcony of the HOTEL MAGESTIC, one of the most elegant hotels in Mexico City, overlooking the plaza. Later proceed to the BELLAS ARTES museum where you can appreciate many of the famous Diego Rivera masterpieces, which give a depiction of the life of the indigenous people in Mexico when the Spanish arrived. Depart in the afternoon for Cuernavaca.

After a typical Mexican breakfast with your host family, you will have your first day of Spanish language classes! An orientation briefing about the Spanish Language Program will be held before class to give you valuable information on the culture, traveling in the city, and safety tips to practice while staying in Cuernavaca. You can also get acquainted with the friendly INTERCULTURAL faculty and staff. If you have previously had Spanish language training, a Placement Exam will also be given to determine your level of language proficiency, in order to ensure proper class placement in the Spanish Language Program.

After class, you will go on a guided, walking tour of downtown Cuernavaca. See the PALACIO DE CORTÉS, palace of the early Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez. You can also admire the beautiful architecture of the 16th Century CATEDRAL CUERNAVACA and once inside, take the stairway to the bell tower where you can catch a bird’s-eye view of Cuernavaca. Later visit the JARDÍN BORDA, the former summer home of Emperor Maximilian and Empress Carlotta, where they mingled with early silver tycoons and Spanish aristocrats. Stroll through its beautiful gardens where you can see many luxurious fountains and duck-filled ponds. From there you will go to a church called LA IGLESIA DE GUALUPITA, and then you have the afternoon free to spend time in the square where there are a variety of restaurants, shops, and entertainment. At leisure you can also visit the MERCADO DE LAS ARTESANIAS, where you can shop for hand-made souvenirs like colorful pottery, Mexican-style paintings, and unique silver jewelry.

After attending Spanish language classes during the day, you have the afternoon free.

Today you will visit TEPOZTLÁN, a beautiful indigenous town surrounded by mountains. See LA IGLESIA DE LA NATIVIDAD, a 16th century colonial church that was a former Dominican convent. Try a typical Mexican dish at a local restaurant called LOS COLORINES, known for its fabulous food and its bright colors. Take the hiking trail up the TEPOZTECO MOUNTAIN, where you will be amazed by the panoramic view of the town and the ancient pyramid located at the very top. This mountaintop was a holy place where the early Tepozteco priests would perform religious ceremonies. Go to the market where you can buy the widest variety of arts and crafts. There is also a fresh fruit and vegetable market, offering an exotic variety of produce. After a full day of sightseeing in the picture-book town, you take a relaxing ride to your housing accommodation.

After attending Spanish language classes during the day, you have the afternoon free.

After class go on a tour of the HACIENDA DE CORTÉS. This former residence of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortez has been converted into one of the oldest and most elegant hotels in Mexico. Many famous movies have been filmed at the hacienda, including some of the old Zorro movies. As you sip coffee or tea on the terrace outside the restaurant, you can enjoy the pleasant view of its many tropical gardens and the wonderful climate of Cuernavaca.

Today you will take a guided tour of the treasured archeological sites of TLATELOLCO and TEOTIHUACÁN. You feel almost teleported back in time when you walk amidst the ancient temples, just like the mighty Indian warriors and holy priests did on this land thousands of years ago. Visit the TEMPLO DE QUETZALCOATL, a temple dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god of the air and wind. Climb to the top of the PYRAMID OF THE SUN, where legend says that if you touch the sparkling jewel that is embedded in its point, you will receive the pyramid’s channeled energy. It seems like you can touch the clouds on top of the PYRAMID OF THE MOON. In the afternoon there is free time to browse through the shops on the site to buy souvenirs like hand-carved Aztec statues made from solid onyx, decorative masks, and crystal figurines. Later you will eat lunch at a local restaurant serving traditional Mexican delights and then enjoy a pleasant ride to your housing accommodation in Cuernavaca.

To conclude the Spanish Language Program, you bid farewell to your host family and are transported to the Mexico City International Airport to board your homebound flight.