High School Language Immersion Programs Abroad

I studied in Merida, Mexico in June 2025 with CIEE on the language and culture program. From the moment I started my application, CIEE staff was available to help. They went above and beyond by calling me to ask additional questions about my allergies. Their attention to detail assuaged many of my fears about traveling as I knew the staff was prepared. My homestay enriched my experience by giving me opportunities to practice my language skills and immerse myself in Mexican culture. My favorite memory of my host mom is when she taught me how to make empanadas. Spending hours with her in the kitchen gave me unforgettable memories and valuable knowledge. Despite not knowing anyone when I went on the trip, I made friends quickly and spent most afternoons hanging out with them. Merida is very walkable and Ubers are cheap, so it was very easy to get around the city. We had student IDs and were able to get into some museums for free. I attended daily language classes and we had cultural activities every day to deepen our understanding of Mexican culture. In class, we learned practical language skills focused on conversation. By the end of the program, my Spanish speaking had improved significantly because I had so many opportunities to practice. Whether I was taking an Uber, ordering at a restaurant, or talking with my host mom, there were many opportunities to practice my Spanish. My favorite part of the trip was the overnight excursion to Chichen Itza. It was incredible seeing it in person as it had been on my bucket list for a while. We also got to see some cenotes, which were beautiful. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone looking to improve their language skills and immerse themselves in Mexican culture.

This was my daughter’s first time away from all of her friends and she definitely struggled with being homesick. Her host family and the Seville Abroad team coaxed her out of her shell and encouraged her to try new things and she came away from the experience with confidence in her ability to speak Spanish and to try new things. She talks frequently about wanting to go back to Spain and plans to return to Seville this spring to visit a friend she made there. She came back feeling more prepared to take on any new adventure. I was constantly amazed at the many places they traveled and how expertly planned the whole experience was. Pepa treats these students like they are her own family and the staff at Seville Abroad were all so kind and helpful to my daughter. They communicated daily with parents. I can not recommend this program highly enough.