Not all international experiences are created equal: it’s all about location, location, location! While you may have zeroed in on a host country (Mexico), it’s time to dive a little deeper and find a city or region that will best serve your learning potential and goals.
Whether you prefer to study in a big city, a smaller city, a rural area, near the ocean, or in the highlands, Mexico has a language program to meet your needs. Some of the most popular places for language study in Mexico include:
Mexico City. This sprawling city may feel like a beast, but its colorful neighborhoods and intermittent green spaces have an extremely attractive energy. Individuals can even consider attending intensive language courses at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), which is home to one of the most concentrated and seriously taught programs in the nation.
Oaxaca. The smaller colonial city of Oaxaca will afford Spanish learners an experience sharp in contrast to Ciudad de México (Mexico City). Oaxaca offers a more intimate exposure to traditional Mexican culture (and, tangentially, one of the most biodiverse regions in the country) that have not been as worn away by the influences of modernity. With fewer tourists and expats in general, language students will have ample opportunity to practicar tu español.
Guadalajara. Mexican Spanish experts consistently cite the accent of Guadalajara to be the most neutral, perfect for beginner Spanish students. As the second largest city in Mexico, students will not have a shortage of cultural activities or interesting things to do on their free time.
Guanajuato. (This city had to be tacked on to the list just for fun) This small, makes-you-feel-like-you’re-living-in-a-postcard Mexican city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and would make the perfect backdrop for a more intensive Spanish language learning experience.
Other honorable mention cities that are also home to great language schools in Mexico include: Puerto Vallarta, Puebla, and Mérida. It is best for beginners to steer clear of language programs in the Yucatán, and other southern states, as their accents are considerably more difficult to understand and their dialect is considerably more influenced by Aztec and Mayan languages; but advanced speakers have at it!
