Cuernavaca, Mexico

Application from 2005-2006 and further travel details

Travel to Universidad Internacional in Cuernavaca Mexico provides students with a true immersion experience in Medical Spanish and is primarily a language based trip.

 Our goal is to provide current and future health care professionals with the proper tools to effectively communicate with Spanish-speaking patients. The proper knowledge of language and culture will establish a functional and beneficial bond between the patient and professional.

 

  • Spanish Class with no more than 5 students,
  • New classes beginning each Monday throughout the year.
  • Qualified professors teaching vocabulary, situational approaches, and cultural aspects related to the medical field.

 

Intensive Spanish Program - Students are placed in semi-private Spanish classes suited to fulfill their needs, taking into consideration their Spanish knowledge, ability to communicate, fluency, origin, and age. Classes utilize the "Group Five System", in which no more than 5 students are assigned to one professor. Thus, professors can give their students personal attention. This system requires students to constantly interact within the group; the professor is constantly there to assist them individually.

 Situational Medical Spanish- This conversation class focuses on situational approaches, common medical vocabulary and expressions, as well as colloquial terminology used by patients that have a basic academic background. This workshop does not focus on proper techniques for interacting with consultants; however, it focuses on ways to avoid offending a patient due to cultural differences.

 Cultural Courses in Spanish - We believe that true fluency is ultimately mastered with the understanding of Latin-American culture. As part of this belief, we have included culture classes into our core curriculum as a means of introducing you to Latin American culture, customs, morals, traditions, values, and institutional ideas. Latin-American culture is a living, breathing marvel that can be felt in every fiber of its being through its rich history and vibrant character. The relationships built in Spanish last a lifetime and translate into returns that are immeasurable.

Additional Spanish Language Classes  - Boost your Spanish knowledge by enrolling in one of the many optional classes available in the afternoon from 2:20 p.m.-4 p.m. at no extra cost. These classes will provide additional enrichment and better understanding of the Spanish language. Classes range from pronunciation to advanced grammar. Make sure you ask about these classes when you register.  You will learn: Common medical terminologies and expressions, knowledge of techniques that will prevent offending a patient due to cultural differences, colloquial terminology used by patients with little or no academic background.

 

WHO will be teaching us? 

Universidad Internacional is staffed by experienced, native Spanish-speaking faculty and staff dedicated to providing the best overall study abroad experience to their students. Both faculty and staff strive to help develop confidence in the students' ability to speak Spanish and use the language effectively.

In addition to Spanish classes, students can meet with a conversation leader, who is often times a Mexican student at Universidad Internacional. Conversation leaders work with each student personally on improving conversational skills through directed readings and discussions based on current events or themes.

MEDICAL PERSONNEL through the internship program. Provides a fieldwork experience in a Latin American healthcare setting. It serves as a means to help career students to achieve immediate ability to function in Spanish and allows the student to explore cultural similarities and differences affecting communication and intercultural relations.

 

WHEN WILL I BE TRAVELING?

 Winter Break in December

  Spring Break 2008 

 

Application deadline: Rolling applications can be submitted at any time to avoid expensive last minute flight costs.  Deadline to be announced

  

WHERE IS THIS PLACE? 

 

 

 

La Universidad Internacional is ideally located in a safe residential area of Cuernavaca. Geographically speaking, Cuernavaca is located 50 miles south of Mexico City at a height of 1,542 m (4,626 ft ) and has a population of approximately 500,000 inhabitants. Cuernavaca is known internationally as the "City of Eternal Spring" boasting year round temperatures of 75 to 80 degrees F. Since Mexico City is only an hour away, students can take advantage of the many historical and cultural benefits of the capital without the inconveniences of the "big city ". Acapulco, one of the most famous tourist resorts in Mexico and in the world, is just 3 hours away.

Within the city limits are found a natural waterfall known as the "Salto de San Antón". The city offers many interesting museums, colonial and archaelogical sites, a cathedral dating back to the XVI century, the Palace of Cortés and murals by the famous muralists David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and Rufino Tamayo. The city has been the home of many historical and political figures such as Barbara Hutton, Ivan Illich, Erick Fromm, Carlos Pellicer and David Alfaro Siqueiros.

In Cuernavaca one can encounter a variety of international restaurants such as the world famous "Las Mañanitas". Near the main square of the city (el zócalo), visitors will find sidewalk cafes and galleries with decorative and traditional crafts from the state of Morelos. The best theatre has many films playing from all over the world, and one can practice Spanish by reading the subtitles. Sidewalk cafes turn into lively bars and discotecas that open around 10:00 p.m

This fascinating palace located near the Zócalo was built in 1530 by Cortés as his personal summer residence. The palace now houses the Historical Museum of Cuernavac, the Cuauhnahuac Regional Museum was opened and is located within the palace taking advantage of this traditional and beautiful colonial building through its 20 rooms. The palace is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Closed on Monday.

Teopanzolco in Nahuatl means "The place of the old temple.". It is an important Tlahuica ceremonial center located in Cuernavaca. It is composed of the two temples dedicated to the different deities: Quetzalcoatl, God of Wisdom, Tlaloc, the Rain God and Huitzilopochtli, God of War.