The following are thoughts, images and quotes provided by students who have participated in the Intensive Spanish Program at the Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
Quotes
“I loved my family, loved the food, I was able to learn a lot linguistically and culturally. Some very interesting experiences that I will never forget. Definitely go to Alcopolco. Many interesting people.”
Alyson Franz, SSW ’05
“Going to school here in Cuernavaca is like going to school in a resort. Everything is pink stucco and swimming pools. There is a huge market where I bought a hand stiched peasant shirt. So far I have not been stung by a scorpion. My social work class is interesting and today I will meet a district attorney from Washington. Sunday I will be visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan and perhaps next week I will go to Alcapulco.”
Andrea Gonzalez, SSW ‘05
“Cuernavaca is the most beautiful city! There are huge gardens and fountains everywhere. Flowers drip from the trees, the walls, and the windows. Petals practically line the streets. Beautiful historical landmarks, pyramids, plantations and markets with arts and crafts.”
Andrea Gonzalez, SSW ‘05
Journal Entries
"My host family is super nice. A single mother and her thirty year old daughter. We are always laughing and our meals last hours because we are all chatterboxes. They have a pool, two dogs and two cats. I swear my kidneys hurt from staying up half the night telling stories, making fun of people on TV (ah, yes, a family of snarks that loves pop culture. I am in Mexican heaven I tell you!)and dying of laughter. Last night we almost got into a traffic accident because we were laughing so hard that my host mother was having trouble driving.
I am being challenged in my Spanish classes and I am learning so much. I'm only in my fourth day of class, sixth day of living with my host family and my Spanish has improved so much I am beginning to dream in Spanish. I'm shocked by how quickly I am correcting my own mistakes. My writing is getting somewhat better, but not as quickly as my speaking. Oh well.
My host mother (unlike many hostesses who serve American food to the American students) cooks all the traditional foods I remember from my childhood and so far I haven't gained any weight. All that fresh food without all those preservatives. Have I mentioned the siestas? Cause we take one everyday. And it is lovely. Plus taking a siesta also means we have smaller dinners later on. The meal schedule in Mexico is very different. You have a big breakfast at 7:30 am, a huge lunch at 2:30 or so. Then you take your siesta. Then you have dinner at 7ish or 8ish. Dinner is usually kinda small- appetizers and a beverage. It takes a bit getting used to. I find myself really hungry at noon. But I've already got used to eating a small dinner.
Going to school here in Cuernavaca is like going to school in a resort. Everything is pink stucco and swimming pools. There is a huge market where I bought a hand stitched peasant shirt. So far I have not been stung by a scorpion. My social work class is interesting and today I will meet a district attorney from Washington. Sunday I will be visiting the pyramids of Teotihuacan and perhaps next week I will go to Alcapulco.
And the other good thing is that I haven't spent all my money yet.
Andrea Gonzalez, SSW '05
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see also
Spanish Language Course Catalog
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