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

I want to say a big thank you to Iguana Abroad for making this trip so special. The build up to the trip was really smooth and stress-free and the communication was always really clear. Whenever I had any questions Iguana Abroad always answered very quickly and made me feel excited about joining the program. When I arrived in Mexico, one of the guys from Iguana Abroad was there at the airport to meet me which I really appreciated as it really took the stress away from the flight and made everything so much easier.

The Spanish lessons were awesome. I never thought I would learn so much Spanish in such a short time but the lessons were always very interesting and the Spanish teachers were amazing! It also helps so much when you can practice what you have learnt in the Spanish classes after the classes with Mexican people. I really loved how Iguana Abroad do everything to make sure that you are speaking Spanish as much as possible – from organizing cultural events in the evenings to making the weekend trips fun to introducing us to their Mexican friends. I really can’t stress enough how much I enjoyed Iguana Abroad! The whole trip really was designed for total Spanish immersion and I learnt so much Spanish by the end.

Overall, I would recommend Iguana Abroad to anyone who wants to learn Spanish quickly, experience Mexican culture and explore the best travel locataions in Mexico. ¡Gracias Iguana Abroad!

Iguana Abroad is a fantastic program for travel enthusiasts, language learners and basically anyone who wants to get into those things, even if they haven't yet. The course offers really well structured classroom classes, fun cultural activities like Mexican cooking and aztec ceramics, and really exciting weekend trips to some of the best place in Mexico, like Las Estacas (a beautiful natural park with a transparent river you can swim in).

My experience with Iguana Abroad was amazing. I made lifelong friends, improved my Spanish, and gained the confidence to explore Mexico further. I'm genuinely thankful for this opportunity, everyone I met and everyone that was involved. This has been the best summer of my life.

Absolutely incredible guys that run this program. They made our group full of girls feel completely safe and welcome our whole stay. Not to mention the kind employees who work at the hostel we stayed at whom made us feel right at home.
I came to this program to improve my Spanish speaking skills and after a month in Mexico not only did my Spanish improve greatly but I felt like I created a family of friends that I could return to at any time. The Spanish school you attend is really great. They teach language a lot better than classes I've experienced back home in Florida.

Overall, I'd recommend this program to young people at any Spanish level. Whether you come to the program to study, to explore the city, to make friends, to learn about Mexican culture, etc. Whatever it is you'll have the freedom and opportunity to make this program what you want it to be!

I have 3 questions for you:

1) Do you have a bad case of wanderlust?
2) Are you interested in improving your Spanish speaking ability?
3) Would you like to meet other lovely humans who share similar interests + goals to you?

If you answered "yes" to any of the above, Iguana Abroad was made precisely with you in mind. The program is structured very thoughtfully, balancing coursework with fun weekly activities like cooking + ceramics classes - plus weekend excursions to nearby archeological sites, pueblos, and more. It's enough to keep you busy + engaged, but not so much where it feels overwhelming - there is still plenty of free time to use at your discretion, i.e., for rest or for exploring outside of the regularly scheduled activities.

For someone like me who had never spent time in Mexico before, this program was the perfect introduction to the country and the perfect way to begin reviving the Spanish that had been lying dormant in my brain for a few years :) Without much international travel under my belt, I admittedly felt a little overwhelmed at the prospect of organizing my own classes, accommodation, excursions, activities etc., so I was tremendously grateful to come across a program like Iguana Abroad that is built to take care of all those details for you. Not every immersion program is like that!

Harry Chamberlain and Harry Carmichael (whom we affectionately refer to as "The Harrys") created Iguana Abroad, and although they call themselves "Program Directors," I'm not entirely sure that title fully captures the many hats they wear as travel agents, tutors, guides, friends, interpreters, and sometimes, even chefs. From the moment I submitted my application, it could not have been clearer just how much these two care about the work they're doing. Before the program even starts, they invite you to chat with them via Zoom to get to know you and answer any questions you may have. When you arrive in Mexico, they are quick to welcome you and make a new and unfamiliar place feel like home, introducing you to the city, to the school, and even to some of their friends. And after you leave, they are thoughtful enough to check in and make sure all is well. They go above and beyond as consistent sources of support every step of the way.

I was lucky enough to build IA into a larger trip to Mexico, and it truly couldn't have been a better jumping-off point for the rest of my journey. I met so many lovely people I feel lucky to call friends, and I developed the Spanish skills and confidence that allowed me to continue exploring the beautiful and diverse country Mexico is. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm already looking forward to my next trip!

I found this program online and from the moment I sent an inquiry message there was consistent and reliable communication. Upon arriving in CDMX the communication remained stellar throughout the trip and even in ensuring I made it home safely.

While on the trip the directors did any and everything possible to make sure myself and the other students were comfortable and taken care of. Whether that was medicine or grocery runs, tips about where to explore in the city or even help communicating with locals about special events or services.

I got to see great sights, make new friendships and definitely leveled up my Spanish skills. If you're looking for a fun, safe, and adventurous way to travel and learn Spanish, I cannot recommend Iguana Abroad more!!

I've been interested in visiting Latin America for many years - and like many others I've always chewed over which would be the best country to visit first. Colombia, Argentina, Chile, even Brazil - I've honestly spent hours researching all of them, but I am so, so glad I started off with this course and with Mexico. This country has it all. The food; the music; the cities; the nature; the people; the culture - the memories, the moments ... my time with Iguana Abroad I feel has started a new chapter for me. I've never been so hungry for exploring the world, specifically Latin America, I suppose, but I can't thank Iguana Abroad enough for that passion they have given me, and the course is just that. - passion.

Two words "Taco Orinoco"!! When you get to Mexico City you have to try these tacos - they are so so so good haha! Also the mezcal at Jazzatlán in Roma Norte ;)

But seriously everything in Mexico City is amazing- the food, the drinks, all the cute dogs on parque españa, the clubs, and literally everything... Thank you to Iguana Abroad for making all this possible!! :)

The actual Spanish course was amazing too lol... I think I made more friends there than I did at any other place. Lots of spanish speakers to chat to as well which was amazing. I loved the lucha libre, the salsa class, the mexican cooking class, the trip to the pyramids, so many memories that I'll never forget. Thanks IA :)
Abrazos! Cleo

I had such an amazing time on the IA course! Everything about the course was ace - the spanish lessons in the daytimes were amazing - I learnt so much spanish - and there is so much fun stuff to do at night and on the weekends - I loved being in Mexico City and just being here. And trust me, as a girl you feel so much safer in Mexico City that you may expect. I was a bit nervous coming here to begin with but honestly Mexico City is so safe, we were walking around Roma and Condesa neighbourhoods at 2am, 3am, 4am and we never felt in any danger at all.... Coming from Brighton I've honestly seen more weird people there at night haha

I love art so for me this was one of the best part of the trip for me. You have the Soumaya gallery in Polanco which is Carlos Slims's personal collection, and right in front of it you have the Jumex which is also cool... but the best part about Mexico City is all the small galleries that there are all over the place... There's this one in Coyoacan which I forget the name of now, but it was one of the best galleries Ive ever been to (UNAM Contemporary Art I think?).... I honestly loved this city. Thank you IA for making it happen and making it so special :)