Student Group Travel and Cultural Spanish Excursions

For educators, nothing is more meaningful in studentsprings, and the famous Monteverde Cloud Forest
group travel than seeing a student connect with aReserve. Visitors cross the Selvatura hanging bridges
new culture through a cultural immersion program.and take a canopy tour on the zip-line above the
Rich destinations such as San Antonio, Costa Rica ortreetops where wildlife and natural habitats abound.
the Yucatan Peninsula provide opportunities forThe adventure also includes travel to Manuel Antonio
student groups to experience the wonders of theseNational Park, with its unusual combination of white
countries while learning about their language and thesand beach and evergreen forest. En route, visitors
local customs.observe country life with a visit to a traditional Costa
San Antonio, Texas is one of the most beautiful andRican farm. And imagine the surprise one experiences
culturally rich cities in the United States, whereas they view one of the largest colonies of
student groups can explore the relationships betweencrocodiles in Costa Rica at the Tarcoles River.
Mexico and the U.S. and become immersed in theIn addition to interfacing with cultural Costa Rica,
local social, cultural, and linguistic adventures.travel groups learn about the region's wide variety of
Imagine the fun and connections made as studentsflora and fauna, visit with local artists, and enjoy
participate in a dance lesson at the Instituto depopular activities such as rafting, horseback riding, and
Mexico, where they also have the opportunity tobeach activities.
examine works by local artists. Later, they canStudent tours find new inspiration for learning with a
experience the famous San Antonio River Walk withculturally-rich trip to Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. They
a cruise and Mexican dinner. The Paseo Del Rio, in thenot only work on their Spanish conversation skills, but
heart of the downtown, is the pride of the city. Riveralso explore the wild beauty of Mexico's natural
cruisers travel the RiverWalk's three miles past uniqueenvironment.
shops, restaurants, and nightclubs. A visit to SanVisitors become acquainted with two marvelous
Antonio also includes a visit with University of MexicoCenotes located in a small village. The Cenotes, or
students who are trying to perfect their English skills.sinkholes, are where underground rivers have broken
More Spanish adventures are available with visits tothrough the limestone crust of the earth. A ride on
attractions such as the Spanish Governor's Palace inhorse-drawn trucks brings students into the jungle to
the Alamo, Natural Bridge Caverns, and the studio ofvisit and swim in the beautiful, clear Cenotes.
an internationally renowned blind artist.Conversational Spanish is also a highlight of the
In addition, student visitors come away with aprogram, when students meet with a local Spanish
greater understanding of Texas history and folkteacher and then enjoy a walking tour of Merida, the
culture, gain new appreciation for Texas architecturecapital of the state of Yucatan. In the evening, the
with visits to various missions (including the Alamo),traditional dance of the Yucatan, the Jarana, is an
and create their own Mexican artwork.exciting spectacle.
An immersion trip to Costa Rica provides studentNo visit to Yucatan is complete without a tour of the
with an opportunity to practice their Spanish skills andMayan archaeological site of Uxmal, where the
interact with Costa Ricans. Students will gain115-foot-high Pyramid of the Magician and the
confidence as they meet residents of communitiesimpressive Governor's House are wonders to behold.
and small towns who are eager to welcome andStudent tours also embrace the Spanish culture in
communicate with them in their native tongue.Yucatan by learning handicrafts and culinary skills of
Student groups can also become acquainted with thethe country, learning Latino dance steps with a Salsa
geographic diversity and beauty of Costa Rica with adance specialist, and snorkeling in the freshwater
visit to Arenal Volcano National Park, hot thermallagoons of Xel-Ha.