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Study abroad in Mexico is about as diverse as it gets; university students, teachers, retirees, spring breakers all show up to learn Spanish in Mexico and enjoy the richness lf its cultural wealth. Mexico is a country best experienced by adopting the local temperament: minor annoyances really are minor, and there's always something else to do in the meantime. Outside of the Spanish Language School, Mexico's attractions are endless. Desert landscapes and snow-capped volcanoes; ancient ruins and time-warped colonial towns; indigenous markets in the shadow of skyscrapers; all of these can be had by the traveler blessed by Mexico. Perhaps travelers come to sip on margaritas in Cancun, or to surf the Mexican Pipeline, or maybe to be transported back in time to see how the Mayans lived. Mexico satisfies all these desires, she offers herself to be explored, asking only in return not to be forgotten.
The Republic of Mexico is vast, comprising nearly two million square miles of coastline, desert, rain forest, mountains, and fertile plains. The Sierra Madre Mountains travel parallel along the coasts, coming together as a single range through the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Two major peninsulas anchor Mexico. In the west is the poetically barren Baja Peninsula, which seals in the biological riches of the Sea of Cortes. To the east, thrusting into the Caribbean Sea, is the Yucatan peninsula ripe with rain forests, Mayan ruins, and white powder beaches.
Throughout Mexico, the cultural legacy of indigenous peoples is evident. Long before the Spaniards arrived in the 16th century, the indigenous civilizations of Mexico had developed arts such as ceramics, music, poetry, sculpture, and weaving. Later, the intricate designs and bright colors of Native American art mixed with European techniques to create a uniquely Mexican artistic style. For example, churches constructed during the colonial era reflect the blending of Spanish architectural designs with the handiwork of Native American workers who built and decorated the buildings. Today, many of Mexico's most popular modern crafts such as textiles, pottery, and furniture making borrow designs and techniques from Native American culture. As a result of this hybrid of styles, Mexican artwork is very distinct and easily recognizable.
Although there is artistic harmony between the European and Native elements, the road to social equality has been a struggle. Beginning with the defeat of the Aztecs at the hands of Cortez and his horsemen and culminating in the Mexican Revolution, the history of Mexico is long and bloody. Figures from the revolution such as Pancho Villa and Emiliano Zapata are still famous today for their legendary exploits.
Mexico's profusion of people and landscapes reflects the country's extraordinary history. One look at Mexico is enough to remind visitors that there is nothing new about the so-called New World. The impact of considerable colonial legacy and rampant modernization has resulted in a mix of modern and traditional, the cliched and the surreal, and is perhaps the key to Mexico's immense popularity as a travel destination. They say that Mexico is a country no one ever leaves. Every year, millions of tourists pass through, and Mexicans jovially warn that a part of them will remain behind forever.
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