Summer in Mexico takes place at Universidad Internacional, the only university in the world that was born from a Spanish-language school. The University holds strong to its roots as a world leader in language learning. You can develop your Spanish-language proficiency and take classes ranging from art to education to psychology to political science, all of which are taught in Spanish.
Summer in Mexico is offered during 2 summer sessions, each of which includes 4 weeks of intensive Spanish-language study worth 4 US credits. It’s a full-immersion program that’s perfect for all levels of Spanish. All classes are taught in Spanish and are tailored to your level of proficiency.
Classes run Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Each day includes 3 hours of Spanish classes, 2 hours of Latin American history and culture or grammar (beginners in Spanish will be required to take grammar), and 1 hour of cultural lectures or conversation. You can take additional enrichment classes in the afternoons at no extra cost.
GPA Required: 2.5. If you find your GPA is lower than the requirement, do not despair! Use the "Contact An Advisor" button on this page or call us to let us know your situation. We'll do all we can to find the right program for you.
How to choose your courses
Now the fun part! As part of the application process you will be required to complete the CISabroad Course Selection Worksheet found in the CISabroad Application Page. The following instructions will guide you through the steps of choosing your courses for the Language, Culture, and International Studies program.
Course load:
Option 1: Intensive Spanish Language, 4 weeks, 4 credits (Session 1 or Session 2)
Option 2: Intensive Spanish Language, 8 weeks, 8 credits (Session 1 and Session 2)
Course approval: On Summer in Mexico, written and oral placement exams given during the orientation will assess your level of Spanish so you can be enrolled in the appropriate class.
You should get all summer program classes preapproved by your home institution. If you are taking Latin American courses, it’s best to get more than you need approved to give yourself flexibility. Consider filling your elective requirements. Pay close attention to the language level required for each course, as all courses are taught in Spanish. Beginning Spanish speakers need to stick with 100- and 200-level courses.
Course descriptions and catalog: Click here to view all courses offered.
Choose only courses that are not marked with an asterisk.
Helpful information
Weekly Schedule Details
Intensive Spanish Language Class (3 hrs)
After a brief entrance exam and oral interview with a Spanish professor, you will be placed in a small group according to your previous level of Spanish fluency, your ability to communicate, and your interests. No more than 5 students are assigned to a professor. This guarantees the individual attention you need and encourages interaction among the group. You’ll focus on 4 main skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Latin American or Grammar Courses (2 hrs)
This flexible option lets you choose from an assortment of classes—all taught in Spanish—in the following areas: art, business, education, history, Latin-American studies, linguistics, literature, political science, psychology, religion, and Spanish grammar.
Cultural Lectures, Idiomatic Expressions, or Conversation (1 hr)
This component is designed to improve your listening and conversational Spanish- language skills. In the process, you will learn more about Mexican culture, with discussions on topics like holidays, festivities, and family life. You will be encouraged to contrast your own culture with that of Mexico. You will also learn idiomatic expressions that will help you interact with and better understand the culture.
Optional Classes
CIS Summer in Mexico also offers several optional classes in the afternoon at no extra cost, such as:
Functional Spanish (1 hr)
Put into practice in a daily context the knowledge you’ve acquired both in and out of the classroom. You’ll hear Mexican songs, learn idiomatic expressions and slang, and discuss music, movies, and popular culture.
Conversation, Field Trips, and Intercultural Activities (2 hrs)
Practice your communication and pronunciation while interacting with Mexican high school students in activities of mutual interest, such as games, handcrafts, and the like.
Specialized Vocabulary (2 hrs)
Learn to communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking clients, students, and patients. This course will be organized according to your needs and goals.