language learning philosophy at the institute of modern spanish a new concept of learning the institute of modern spanish is based on a new concept of learning called integrated language learning our programs integrate spanish language education with a unique cultural experience and a family homestay by replacing memorization of grammar rules with a total cultural experience we enable our students to leave with knowledge of spanish that is practical culturally appropriate and long lasting our programs explore the language as it is used in all of today s spanish speaking communities worldwide the best method of teaching the spanish our faculty is experienced in teaching all levels of students from beginners to the most advanced our courses integrate all aspects of language learning speaking listening reading and writing we feel that this is the best method of teaching the spanish language as it is used in today s modern world our faculty members use a variety of language teaching me
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since mérida has remarkable infrastructure a well-established business community and easy access to the gulf of mexico port of progreso the city has been able to remain separate from the economic difficulties felt in other parts of mexico in recent years there has been a growth in maquiladora industries in the yucatán the yucatán is one of few mexican states with a state secretary of ecology whose responsibilities include ensuring that industrial growth does not disrupt the natural beauty of the state for maps current weather conditions and local news please visit the yucatán state pages http www.mayayucatan.com.mx and http www.culturayucatan.com in addition to attractive closeness to the beach of the gulf shore many students find time to spend a weekend in the resort city of cancun and the more `rustic towns of playa del carmen or tulum also mayan ruins all three locations are about 3 to 4 hours away by modern air-conditioned bus and tickets cost around us$20.00 one-way also with
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alternative accommodations student housing outside of a host family s home is available the charge is approximately us$22.00 per night no meals are included space is limited early registration is advisable we are happy to suggest a hotel for those who desire alternative arrangements our responsibility is limited to locating and reserving such accommodations what students have said about homestays my host family was excellent they made me feel en mi casa from the very first day i give my host family a 10 i was a bit hesitant about staying with a family at my age but it turned out to be the right choice we became really close friends i felt my diet was a bit difficult to accommodate my family went out of their way to get it right for me they were helpful with explaining aspects of mérida institute of modern spanish instituto de español moderno we want to make it possible for all who are interested in studying in a spanish immersion program this summer in mérida yucatán to hav
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we are excited about our 12th winter studies program this year · winter studies program includes 17 days of full room and board housing 36 hours of group spanish language instruction and cultural activities us$670.00 · discount price is us$600.00 for students registering before november 28 2006 or for students registering two or more persons shared housing only normal registration deadline is december 12 2006 · program dates december 22nd through january 5th friday to friday · housing is in the home of a mexican host family and includes three meals a day bedroom and bath are shared with another student or family member to guarantee a private bedroom and bathroom add us$80.00 to program price listed above children s programs the institute of modern spanish will happily arrange a children s program to accommodate children traveling with an enrolled adult anytime throughout the year we will also arrange for a summer program during july 2006 please contact janese ott cerón for details an
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traveling abroad to méxico if you are a citizen of the united states over 18 all you have to take along with you to mexico is a valid passport and you will get a tourist card from the mexican authorities at the port of entry or the airline if you do not have a passport or a naturalization certificate you may use a valid picture i.d a driver s license along with one of the following include an expired u.s passport a certified copy of your birth certificate a certificate of naturalization a certificate of citizenship or a report of birth abroad of a u.s citizen starting janaury 1 2007 u.s citizens must hold a valid u.s passport for air travel to mexico in addition united states citizens under the age of 18 are required to carry a notarized permit from parents or legal guardians this permit will allow them to travel to mexico either alone or in the company of others the letter can be worded as follows to whom in may concern i/we names of parents give permission to name of child to trav
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delta airlines flies from atlanta georgia direct non-stop to mérida yucatán http www.delta.com delta has several weekly flights round trip rates are low around us$400.00 cruise ship ferry service is available from october through april with a shipping ship the departure city from the united states is tampa florida arrival is 36 hours later in the port town of progreso yucatán the cruise ship company provides transport into mérida about 20 minutes upon arrival in mérida students should take a taxi to their host family s home arrival to mérida via bus from cancun many students save money on airfares by flying into cancun and taking a bus to mérida the taxis from cancun airport to the local bus station are not inexpensive us$40-us$45 however the collective taxi plus bus fares are more economical us$10-us$15 the collective taxi buses will normally drop people by hotels before finally arriving at the bus station so the trip takes a while the best bus lines servicing cancun-mérida are uno
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trip and excursion information download information http www.modernspanish.com/excursions.pdf the institute of modern spanish periodically arranges trips to surrounding tourist attractions we also assist students with travel arrangements to cultural locations and nearby resort areas trip prices vary throughout the year current price lists and schedules for institute of modern spanish trips and other cultural excursions through travel agents are listed below prices for full-day excursions generally range from us$30.00 to us$50.00 the institute of modern spanish will make reservations on behalf of with a local travel agent for trips not arranged by or available through the institute of modern spanish the travel agent that the institute of modern spanish recommends provides excellent service at economical rates you can either pre-register for these trips using a u.s bank check or credit card payment online or pay with mexican peso cash once you are in mérida the most popular trips are chi
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institute of modern spanish frequently asked questions what should i know about medical care in méxico medical care in mexico is good and affordable however all students must carry their own insurance normally medical care is provided on a reimbursement basis students will need to carry with them a major credit card and/or bankcard to pay for any services at the time they are rendered the student will submit the bill to his/her personal insurance carrier for reimbursement we strongly urge you to contact your insurance carrier and a travel agent for more information about coverage while aboard furthermore your insurance carrier may provide a special telephone number to contact them from mexico will i have access to the internet to check my e-mails there are several internet cafés scattered throughout mérida in the northern residential area conveniently close to the institute and the host families as well as in the downtown area most internet cafés charge the equivalent of us$1 to us$3
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exchange rate is approximately 10.5 pesos the mexican currency per united states dollar you can ask at the institute where the best places are to exchange your traveler s checks all banks exchange dollars very few are now exchanging traveler s checks for this reason only your emergency funds should be brought in traveler s checks one bank in walking distance of host families is opened from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm weekdays and on saturday mornings we recommend that you bring a major credit card and/or bank card for unexpected emergency expenses what other costs may i have some teachers require you to purchase instructional materials there may be a small charge for such materials us$10.00-us$15.00 optional trips and excursions arranged by the institute of modern spanish have an additional cost payable in us currency cash or mexican pesos at the institute these trips range from approx us$15.00 to us$55.00 and are available depending on enrollment an additional note concerning these trips is t
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grades along with a letter from a teacher if needed will be sent to the student and to the registrar s office of his/her home school a small additional charge applies while the institute of modern spanish is happy to assist any student in the credit transfer process it is the student s responsibility to work with the home institute to pre-approve and finalize the credit transfer http www.modernspanish.com/collegecredit.pdf what if i still have questions about my trip while there seems to be a lot of things to keep in mind while planning to study abroad and while studying abroad it is a manageable task you will find it rewarding and will probably be a little sad when the time arrives to return home to the united states we hope that this information has been helpful any further questions can be addressed to miguel or janese cerón by calling 1-877-4mÉrida 1-877-4637432 outside the united states please call 011-52 999 911-0790 also feel free to e-mail students@modernspanish.com we wish
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institute of modern spanish mérida yucatán mexico 21 -
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