Traditions, Wisdom, Visions: An Exploration of Culture and Language of Mexico
Immerse in the language and culture with all your senses. Mexico is a land of contrasts and paradoxes: Rural - Urban, Traditional - Entrepreneurial, Indigenous- Colonial. Join our expert leaders for a transformative exploration of authentic Mexico. Discover the wisdom of its ancient traditions intertwined with modern life. Engage with its people. Experience its cuisine. And advance your Spanish language skills. (No previous Spanish language experience required to participate.)
Dates: August 9 - 17, 2015
Cost: $3,999 per person (10% discount for companion participant sharing the same bedroom)
Registration and Details for Mexico Program
Your program leaders:
The program will be led by experienced educators who are both Dartmouth alums and, collectively, have over 60 years’ experience as Rassias instructors, Jim Citron ‘86 and Fernando Ausin ‘06.
This is a socially-responsible travel programs that partners with local, independent, and community-oriented businesses. The trip helps support local economies, while ethically and respectfully engaging with the local culture.
During our exploration of authentic rural and urban Mexico, we will:
- Explore many of the treasures of Mexico City’s Centro Histórico, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, built atop the ruins of Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire, where history and modern dynamism intersect. (DAY 2)
- Amatlán de Quetzalcoatl: Be hosted by the indigenous community of Temachtiani – 'Those who share what they know’ – in the birthplace of the Aztec deity Quetzalcóatl. Here, we will make tortillas the traditional way and connect deeply with the culture, the rituals, the food, and the way of life of this deeply spiritual community. (DAY 3-4)
- Visit the precolonial canal and chinampa system in Xochimilco – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – and learn from entrepreneurs who are working to restore and conserve the area’s sustainable growing practices to provide nutritious food for Mexico City. (DAY 5)
- Explore a Mexico City market and journey through Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and unravel fascinating stories of Mesoamerica’s ancient civilizations at Mexico’s renown National Museum of Anthropology. (DAY 6)
- Meet with social entrepreneurs and learn what they are doing to address some of the region’s most pressing modern social problems. (DAY 7)
- Learn directly from indigenous elders at the two thousand-year-old city of Teotihuacán, yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site. (DAY 8)
- Experience and learn about Mexico’s diverse and delicious cuisine everywhere we go.
What is included:
- Cultural immersion and language instruction in the Rassias Center of Dartmouth College language learning method (you are not required to have Spanish language experience prior to the trip)
- Two experienced Rassias program directors (Jim Citron '86 and Fernando Ausin '06)
- Single rooms with private ensuite bathrooms
- All meals (from dinner on arrival date up to and including breakfast on departure date)
- Round trip airport transfers
- All entrance fees, guides, drivers, and gratuities
- Travel assistance coverage
- Authentic Mexican experience
- Supports local communities and economies