"IA Summer" - Learn Spanish through Cultural Immersion in Mexico

I’d say that Iguana Abroad’s magic lies in how the course seamlessly blends language and life. Yes, the Spanish classes are excellent (small groups, passionate native teachers, a truly stunning school campus), but for me the real lessons happened outside: discussing Mexican history beside ancient Aztec ruins, cooking mole poblano with "abuelitas" (at my homestay), or haggling for the best prices in the local markets. As well as just the classroom textbooks and whiteboards, you’ll use street art, local slang, and laughter to learn—and it sticks. I’ve got so, so many great memories from this trip, and so many new friends that I share them with.

Everyone on my course (Summer ’24) said the same thing - the instructors (affectionately called “the Harrys”,) are the heart of the program, and I couldn’t agree more. I felt like they really mapped my journey personally so even on a group course, things felt tailored just for me and my goals. They even included activities completely outside of the course schedule just because of a few passions of mine I had spoken about, such as jazz music. We went to a local jazz club to see an open event there and talked about music with some of the people playing there - which was one of the best moments of the whole trip for me. Moments like this played such a huge part of improving my confidence and fluency with Spanish. Another day we visited the hidden, beautiful San Anton waterfall in Cuernavaca to help me nail some key words and phrases for hiking and exercise - another deep passion of mine, (and a few others in the group). Nothing ever felt scripted - the Harry’s felt like true masters of language immersion courses.

I’ve done language programs before, but none ever pushed me to engage so deeply. By week two, I was joking with my homestay family, navigating local transport solo, and (mostly) holding my own in everyday conversations. The confidence boost was unreal, not just for language, but travel too. Plus, the friendships—with locals and fellow learners, students on the course, etc —are the kind that long outlast Instagram posts.

Considerations to Know:
* Pace: Days can be packed! If you crave downtime and rest, don’t feel afraid to do that. It’s a really flexible course - and that’s sort of what this course is about - you, and your Spanish learning journey.
* Physicality: Some adventures (like ruins hikes) require moderate fitness. Hiking up to the Tepotzlán pyramid from the "zocalo" town center (which is optional) was a real mission.
* Homestays: My family was wonderful, but flexibility is key—the every so often cold showers and salsa-dancing toddlers come with the territory! If you want something more predictable you’d probably be better with the private accommodation option.

What I’d say is that Iguana Abroad isn’t for casual tourists—it’s for adventurers who learn by living. Yes, classrooms are a big part of the program, but they’re just the starting point. If you’re ready to move beyond textbooks and let the rhythm of Mexico guide your learning, this is the course for you… just make sure you bring an open mind and you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone—at least for me, that’s when the real learning happened.

I found Iguana Abroad online and I was attracted by the range of activities offered, as well as the emphasis on immersive learning. Communication with the Iguana Abroad staff was always good before the program started, and the support given by the program directors and teachers was excellent during the course. Learning Spanish in Mexico is so different to learning in the US – you learn so much faster when you are immersed in a Spanish-speaking country, surrounded by the language all day with so many opportunities to practice and speak to people. I was really happy with all the events offered on the program – I especially loved the cookery class and the salsa event. Learning to cook Mexican food and try salsa and cumbia dance styles was an awesome experience! The free airport collection offered by the program was also really useful because I arrived in Mexico City in the evening, so it was definitely reassuring to know that someone would be waiting for me at the airport. The price for the program was good considering everything that’s included and there were no disappointing aspects of the course that I can think of. A perfect immersion course.

I came to Iguana Abroad with no expectations, just hoping to see where this crazy journey would take me, and I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! Everyone on the program was so fun, kind and welcoming they really make you feel at home from the moment you arrive. I stayed in the private accommodation with Vito and Maru which was awesome and definitely something I would do again. There were always loads of fun events going on during the week and on weekends and there was always someone to hang out with and explore! I want to say a big THANK YOU to the Iguana Abroad teachers and organizers who made this awesome trip possible and I hope to see you all again in 2026!!

I would recommend Iguana Abroad to any traveller (or soon-to-be traveller!) planning a trip outside their comfort zone! The Spanish lessons are fun, creative and interesting, and really inspire you to learn much more effectively than if you were in the US. The Iguana Abroad program also has accommodation included in the course price which was really important for me when I was looking for which immersion program to choose. I chose the private accommodation option which I really recommend because the rooms were spacious and clean, and there was even a pool, garden and gym inside the accommodation. The accommodation was also just one minute walk from the Spanish school (literally across the road) which was perfect. I would highly recommend the Iguana Abroad program and would encourage anyone who has not yet done so to apply!

Iguana Abroad was a special experience for me. My sister came on the program in 2023 so I knew what it was going to be like before I signed up, but it was actually better than I expected! So many amazing people and memories it’s really hard to choose which ones to include here – I think maybe my most memorable experience was going to Las Estacas nature park and swimming through the jungle round the lazy river – it is such a beautiful location and still quite unknown outside of Mexico. I also loved the trip to Tepoztlan because of the traditional crafts and souvenirs as well as the Pyramid hike. The Spanish classes on Iguana Abroad are really useful and push you to the limit of your abilities, so that you improve quickly and learn to speak the language better even after the first week. I also loved the social aspect of the program because you really do make friends for life and share memories with unforgettable people!

One of the best things about Iguana Abroad was that there was always something going on. Apart from the culture immersion midweek events (like the rooftop skull painting workshop, Mexican cookery class, etc) and stuff happening on the weekend (the travelling events) I was thinking that probably not much else would happen the rest of the time outside of the classroom. But, this was really, realllyyy not the case! For a start, the program directors always had suggestions of things to do (for example they started the course by giving everybody the details of local group chats on WhatsApp etc where events and stuff happening from around the city was being shared all the time), and would organise little events basically every day for everybody to come along to during the week if they wanted to get involved (going to a secret waterfall; exploring the local markets; going to the museums, parks, events in the area etc). Plus there was always the option of doing language exchanges with the locals that the directors organised for everybody who was interested.

There was loads of stuff on the course that were highlights of the trip for me that weren’t actually ‘officially’ part of the course, if that makes sense - and that was one of the best things about it! I was really impressed by just how much was happening and how exciting it all was... There was also an amazing group of other students with me as well which made things even better - and it goes without saying that all the scheduled stuff (the weekend trips, culture events) were just incredible as well.

Iguana Abroad’s summer group course is such a unique program and has so much going for it. I’m sure it will go from strength to strength!

Before coming to Mexico, I’d tried learning Spanish on and off for years, but it never really clicked. Iguana Abroad completely changed that. This program isn’t just about sitting in a classroom—it’s about actually using the language in real life, and that’s what made all the difference for me.

From the start, everything was organized perfectly. The airport pickup, settling into Cuernavaca, and getting to know everyone on the program felt so seamless. Cuernavaca itself is such a cool place – it’s vibrant and full of culture, but also super relaxing, so you can really soak it all in. I hadn’t been to Mexico before, but it instantly felt like home.

The Spanish classes were next-level. The teachers didn’t just teach; they made sure we were constantly speaking, even if we messed up. They encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones, which made a huge difference. By the end of the course, I was having actual conversations in Spanish—something I never thought I’d be able to do.

What really stood out, though, were the cultural experiences. We weren’t just learning the language; we were living it. We cooked Mexican dishes, explored hidden gems like Las Estacas and Tepoztlán - a secret waterfall, plus even danced salsa with some local pros. One of my favorite moments was visiting a local festival—it was wild, colorful, and completely unforgettable. Every event felt like a chance to dive deeper into Mexican culture while practicing Spanish in a natural way.

The people I met on the program were amazing, too. We came from all over the world, but we all bonded over shared experiences and a love for learning. I left with new friends, incredible memories, and, finally, real progress in my Spanish.

If you’re looking for a program that mixes learning, adventure, and culture, Iguana Abroad is it. It’s not just a language course—it’s an experience that changes the way you see the world.

If I had to highlight one thing about Iguana Abroad, it would be how immersive the program is. The Spanish classes are fantastic—they focus on conversation and real-world use, which helped me finally gain confidence in speaking Spanish. But what made the experience truly unique were the cultural events and excursions. From cooking authentic Mexican dishes and salsa dancing to exploring stunning places like Tepoztlán and Las Estacas, every activity was designed to make us use the language naturally while diving deep into Mexican culture. This wasn’t just a course; it was a full-on adventure that made learning Spanish feel effortless and exciting.