Overview

Immerse yourself in Mexican culture in the beautiful, colonial town of Cuernavaca, Mexico, "The City of Eternal Spring." You will experience language classes in a beautiful and relaxed setting ideal for practicing conversational Spanish. An additional course will focus on Mexican cuisine and identity with complementary tours. This program is designed for adults over 50 years old and includes an overnight excursion to Puebla.

Features of this two-week experience include:

Language study. Learn and practice conversational and functional Spanish in small group classes with native speakers at an elementary, intermediate or advanced level. Since there are no tests, you will have a stress-free opportunity to learn and practice the language at your personal speed. No Spanish language experience is recommended.

Classes in Mexican cuisine and identity. The theme of this experience will focus on the history and techniques of Mexican cooking and the ways that culinary traditions define personality and ethnic identity. Most specifically, the importance of the culinary 'trinity' of chocolate, chiles, and corn to the Mexican diet and the national psyche. The course is designed and taught by Dr. Kima Cargill, a University of Washington faculty member.

Optional evening activities such as dancing, dinners and folk art workshops.

Guided tours will complement the class subjects and include an overnight excursion to Puebla. Other sites you may visit: Tepoztlán, Biblioteca Palafoxiana, Museum Amaparo, Ethnobotanical Garden, Cholula archeological site, Mercado, Brady Museum, Tlayacapan.

Home stays. You will stay with a Mexican family in double-occupancy accomodations with transportation to and from the school, and three meals a day. This is a unique opportunity to live with a typical Mexican family and become a part of their lives. Alternative accommodations are onsite at the Kukulcan "VITALI suites" and are available upon request, with two meals per day at double- occupancy.

Kukulcan language school. . Use of the facility includes indoor and outdoor classrooms, swimming pools, manicured garden courtyards, reading room, cafeteria and wireless Internet access. 15-minute walk to downtown.

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Schedule

The daily activity schedule includes Spanish classes and conversational practice in small groups of three or four in the mornings, a culture class, "Mexican Cuisine and Identity", with excursions to sites that complement the classes, plus a variety of optional activities. There will be one overnight trip to Puebla. In the event of unexpected museum closures, substitutions may apply. A detailed daily schedule is available upon request.

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Registration

Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis by phone, in person, or by mail or fax using the registration form (PDF). To register by phone with a VISA or MasterCard, please call 206-897-8939 or 1-800-506-1325 and (confirmation is contingent upon receipt of the signed reservation form within five business days). To register by fax with a VISA or MasterCard please fax your registration form (PDF) to 206-685-9359.

Tour registration # 97043

Registration is accepted on a first-come, first-served basis:

• By telephone: Register using VISA or MasterCard by calling 206-897-8939 or 1-800-506-1325, Monday–Thursday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m–5 p.m. Please note: Confirmation is contingent upon receipt of the signed registration form within five business days.
  
  
• By mail or fax: Print and mail or fax a registration form. Details are provided on the form.
  
  
• In person: Bring your completed registration form to:
  
  
  • UW Extension, University District, Seattle
    (Administrative offices for UW Educational Outreach)
    4311 - 11th Ave. NE (see map)

    Hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

    Parking: Free visitor parking is available in the building garage (entrance on 11th Ave. NE), in stalls marked "UW Educational Outreach Visitor."
    
    

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General Information

The tour price of $2,350 includes:

• Van transportation to and from Mexico City Airport
• Tuition and registration fee
• Language and culture classes
• Accomodations in double-occupancy room with a host family
• Three meals a day (with exception of some optional restaurant meals)
• Guided excursions and activities, including overnight to Puebla
• Wireless Internet access

Payment schedule
A $1200 deposit, plus a $35 nonrefundable registration fee due by December 15, 2008 when registering. The balance ($1150) is due by January 15, 2009.

Cancellation
Cancellation must be made in writing, and received prior to the stated deadline. Cancellation fees will be deducted from the account balance, based on the following schedule: $400 for cancellation between October 20 - December 12, 208; $1500 for cancellation between December 13, 2008 - January 30, 2009. $2350 after January 30, 2009.

The $35 registration fee is nonrefundable. If viable enrollment is not reached by December 15, 2008, the tour will be cancelled and you will receive a full refund.

NOTE: Individual trip cancellation insurance is available from Classic Connections at 206-547-7300, or you may purchase insurance from your own travel agent.

Passports
You will need a passport to participate in this program. Please check your passport to see if it is current. If you need a new or renewed passport, please apply for one immediately. For detailed passport information, call the U.S. Dept. of State Passport Agency in Seattle, 206-220-7788 or 206-220-7773 (TDD).

Tour orientation
There will be a tour orientation for tour participants in January 22, 2009 to discuss your trip and meet others in your group. Time and location TBD.

Health concerns
Before registering, please consider the following to determine if this tour is appropriate for you:

• There will be walking, including occasional stair-climbing and unpaved paths.
• Foods will vary
• Special diets often cannot be accommodated
• You may need to carry your own luggage
• Depending upon location, medical facilities may not be immediately accessible.

If you have any health concerns, please consult your physician regarding the suitability of the trip for you.

Insurance and responsibility
The University of Washington cannot be held responsible for personal illness or injury, nor make any representation as to the availability or level of medical facilities. Participants are responsible for their own health, travel, luggage and personal property insurance.

As with any tour program, participants may encounter unexpected risks. These include (but are not limited to) sickness, exposure to disease, political upheaval, accident, the forces of nature, travel dangers on the ground or in the air, and property loss and damage. Apart from the academic content of the tour, the University of Washington acts only as an agent for suppliers and contractors providing services for this tour. The University is not responsible for the acts of third parties which cause injury, death or property loss or damage, nor is it responsible for travel or accommodation disruptions beyond its control. Participants assume all the risks involved and agree to hold harmless the University of Washington for all liability that may arise in connection with participation in the activities of this tour.

The University further reserves the right to deny participation on this tour to any person who fails to make payments or comply with requirements within the specified time, or whose presence could constitute a hazard, and prohibits the use or trade of illicit substances; participants who are found under the influence or in possession of illegal substances will not be allowed to continue with the group.

The University of Washington reserves the right to raise the price of this tour should inflation, dollar devaluation or itinerary changes necessitate such a step. The University will, however, make every attempt to hold costs within the prices quoted.

Accommodations for Disabilities
To request disability accommodations, contact the UW Disability Services Office as early as possible at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), 206-685-7264 (fax) or dso@u.washington.edu (e-mail).

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Questions

For the most current information about this tour, or to be placed on a mailing list for course updates and announcements, please contact UW Extension at 206-685-8936 or sign up for e-mail updates here.

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