| For educators, nothing is more meaningful in | | | | Visitors cross the Selvatura hanging bridges |
| student group travel than seeing a student | | | | and take a canopy tour on the zip-line above |
| connect with a new culture through a cultural | | | | the treetops where wildlife and natural |
| immersion program. Rich destinations such as | | | | habitats abound. The adventure also includes |
| San Antonio, Costa Rica or the Yucatan | | | | travel to Manuel Antonio National Park, with |
| Peninsula provide opportunities for student | | | | its unusual combination of white sand beach |
| groups to experience the wonders of these | | | | and evergreen forest. En route, visitors |
| countries while learning about their language | | | | observe country life with a visit to a |
| and the local customs. | | | | traditional Costa Rican farm. And imagine the |
| | | | surprise one experiences as they view one of |
| San Antonio, Texas is one of the most | | | | the largest colonies of crocodiles in Costa |
| beautiful and culturally rich cities in the | | | | Rica at the Tarcoles River. |
| United States, where student groups can | | | | |
| explore the relationships between Mexico and | | | | In addition to interfacing with cultural |
| the U.S. and become immersed in the local | | | | Costa Rica, travel groups learn about the |
| social, cultural, and linguistic adventures. | | | | region's wide variety of flora and fauna, |
| | | | visit with local artists, and enjoy popular |
| Imagine the fun and connections made as | | | | activities such as rafting, horseback riding, |
| students participate in a dance lesson at the | | | | and beach activities. |
| Instituto de Mexico, where they also have the | | | | |
| opportunity to examine works by local | | | | Student tours find new inspiration for |
| artists. Later, they can experience the | | | | learning with a culturally-rich trip to |
| famous San Antonio River Walk with a cruise | | | | Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. They not only |
| and Mexican dinner. The Paseo Del Rio, in the | | | | work on their Spanish conversation skills, |
| heart of the downtown, is the pride of the | | | | but also explore the wild beauty of Mexico's |
| city. River cruisers travel the RiverWalk's | | | | natural environment. |
| three miles past unique shops, restaurants, | | | | |
| and nightclubs. A visit to San Antonio also | | | | Visitors become acquainted with two marvelous |
| includes a visit with University of Mexico | | | | Cenotes located in a small village. The |
| students who are trying to perfect their | | | | Cenotes, or sinkholes, are where underground |
| English skills. More Spanish adventures are | | | | rivers have broken through the limestone |
| available with visits to attractions such as | | | | crust of the earth. A ride on horse-drawn |
| the Spanish Governor's Palace in the Alamo, | | | | trucks brings students into the jungle to |
| Natural Bridge Caverns, and the studio of an | | | | visit and swim in the beautiful, clear |
| internationally renowned blind artist. | | | | Cenotes. |
| | | | |
| In addition, student visitors come away with | | | | Conversational Spanish is also a highlight of |
| a greater understanding of Texas history and | | | | the program, when students meet with a local |
| folk culture, gain new appreciation for Texas | | | | Spanish teacher and then enjoy a walking tour |
| architecture with visits to various missions | | | | of Merida, the capital of the state of |
| (including the Alamo), and create their own | | | | Yucatan. In the evening, the traditional |
| Mexican artwork. | | | | dance of the Yucatan, the Jarana, is an |
| | | | exciting spectacle. |
| An immersion trip to Costa Rica provides | | | | |
| student with an opportunity to practice their | | | | No visit to Yucatan is complete without a |
| Spanish skills and interact with Costa | | | | tour of the Mayan archaeological site of |
| Ricans. Students will gain confidence as they | | | | Uxmal, where the 115-foot-high Pyramid of the |
| meet residents of communities and small towns | | | | Magician and the impressive Governor's House |
| who are eager to welcome and communicate with | | | | are wonders to behold. |
| them in their native tongue. | | | | |
| | | | Student tours also embrace the Spanish |
| Student groups can also become acquainted | | | | culture in Yucatan by learning handicrafts |
| with the geographic diversity and beauty of | | | | and culinary skills of the country, learning |
| Costa Rica with a visit to Arenal Volcano | | | | Latino dance steps with a Salsa dance |
| National Park, hot thermal springs, and the | | | | specialist, and snorkeling in the freshwater |
| famous Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. | | | | lagoons of Xel-Ha. |