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

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 :)

Dancing salsa, making ACTUAL guacamole (yes, its totally different than in the UK), drinking mezcal … having a BBQ in the jungle during winter in the UK! A really brilliant way to learn Spanish - diving in at the deep end of vibrant culture .. and the language just sticks with the memories and experiences. All the stuff we did on our weekday and weekend immersion trips etc I can just remember so well. We also visited the most beautiful town I’ve ever been to before - Tepoztlan. I’m a passionate photographer and some of my favourite photos I’ve ever taken I got from there… I’ve also not stopped studying Spanish since I got home either - just have so much energy to keep practicing - just love the language, Mexico is honestly beautiful. Really loved the programme.

An incredible programme. The level of communication leading up to the trip was brilliant - messages replied to immediately, information clearly explained, offers for talking over Zoom, phone calls, emails - all the help I needed was always so close. That was really important to me as it was only my second time out of England - so I was feeling pretty nervous. Some of the smaller parts of the course were actually some of the most important to me in the end, like the airport pickup, things like the pre-arrival handbook, the accommodation booklet - just that feeling of being safe and that everything was so well planned. The guys who run the course know the area so well. They have lived in Mexico for many years, and I don’t think the course would have been so well organised and unique if not for them. A really special trip - and I have planned to come back next summer with my cousin!

Just finished the Iguana Abroad NYE Trip and started off my year in Mexico - and I can confirm - Mexico and Mexico City are the places to be this year. Mexico City is honestly nothing like what you would expect, seriously. It's relaxing, peaceful, just nothing like what I was expecting, there are so many neighbourhoods that its perfect for everybody. La Condesa for the park strolls; Roma Norte for the music and food; Zocalo for the history and museums. Also, because Mexico City is right in the centre of the country, all the beautiful locations for the trip are a fun minibus drive away. Great course. Great people. So glad I started my year here.