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G.I Bill PROGRAM / POST 911

G.I Bill PROGRAM / POST 911

Arts and Spanish language courses

sponsored by the G.I. Bill – US Department of Veteran Affairs

Find us on the DVA´s List as Fundación de Arte Enrique Fernández Martínez, AC

The Instituto Allende has been united with the US Department of Veteran Affairs and Incorporated with the University of Guanajuato since 1950. You are able to apply your Veteran´s benefits with us, by taking a personal, intellectual and academic rewarding experience, leaving a wide scope of arts and handcrafts, as well as the Spanish Language, which, according to One World Nations, is the world’s third most spoken language.

We are located in the charming city of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, named World Heritage by UNESCO. It has splendid weather — spring and summer all year long – and a relaxing artistically-cultural atmosphere. It is one of the most visited touristic destinations in Mexico.

Our facilities have extensive gardens, beautiful murals, and an excellent location in San Miguel’s Centro area. It is a quiet and tranquil place to study.

Spanish Program

Our Spanish language program is unique. It has not only regular instruction and practice in grammar as well as a daily conversation workshop, but it also includes didactical games that make learning Spanish easy and fun, cultural and historical lessons and trips, as well as music and cinema to help you to learn quickly and enjoyably.

Our program offers to master Spanish language just within one year of Full Immersion. The system is divided into 2 semesters, and according to your current level of Spanish, you are able to choose to take both or only one of them. You will improve your listening, speaking, writing and reading skills.

The Spanish program covers 19 weeks of class, with 12 hours of class (8 grammar/4 conversation) individually, one-to-one. You will have one instructor for grammar and the other for conversation. Some of the topics that you will see throughout the semester are:

– Learn and understand structured grammar, reading, writing and speaking.
– You will have a text book with an access code to an online platform with exercises and material for a better learning experience.
– Visit archaeological, ecological, cultural and artistic nearby sites.
– Become involved in Mexican culture, and local culture of San Miguel de Allende.
– Enjoy being intellectually challenged in learning, memory, emotions, and intellect.
– Attend stimulating lectures to learn about history, archaeology, traditions, anthropology and more…
– Enjoy intellectual challenges in learning, memory, emotions and intellect.

Art Workshops

Let your creativity to flow and experience new personal sensations and feelings in all your senses, by learning and applying an ample variety of techniques and materials to express yourself through your artistically creations.

You can choose among:

- Sculpture

- Painting

- Ceramics

- Music

- Textile Design

- Sewing

- Printmaking

- Jewelry

- Photography

We have excellent and experienced instructors and provide all the necessary raw materials.

Other Programs

At the Instituto Allende we are able to personalize your schedule, meaning, if you would like to do a Spanish and a specific art field(s), or if you are only interested in taking Art Workshops, or if your only interest is Spanish. Please contact, Jesus Ibarra, Academic Director, direccion@instituto-allende.edu.mx if you would like to us your V.A. Benefits with us as well as for more information about personalized academic programs.

Testimonials

"My experience at Instituto de Allende and San Miguel de Allende exceeded my expectations. I began at Instituto de Allende with a beginner/intermediate level of Spanish and After three semesters I left at an advanced level feeling extremely comfortable in speaking and writing in spanish. I believe the two reasons why I improved my spanish was the program and the wonderful town of SMA. Institute de Allende uses the Vista Higher Learning Program that easily explains the bridge from english to spanish and is taught by patient teachers that were dedicated to help me reach my goals in spanish. But most importantly, the beautiful town of SMA was definitely the other reason why I enhanced my spanish. Involving myself in the community and getting the know the Mexican people made it an ultimate experience. If you want to learn Spanish and/or become bilingual and have an amazing Mexican experience I highly recommend Instituto de Allende in San Miguel de Allende."
Ezequiel Yarrito III (Army​)
"My experiences with the Art classes at Instituto Allende have been a helpful meditation and I have grown in patience and appreciation for what art can offer one. I think the institute is quite capable of helping anyone truly interested in studying Art. As for my Spanish classes, my teacher is both professional and understanding. I have received many compliments on how I have bettered my Spanish in such a short time. I look forward to learning which is a really rare thing. It has a been a year since I started at the institute and I have no plans of stopping my classes."
Nathaniel Johnson (Air Force)
My experience at Instituto Allende was not what I anticipated. Initially, I came in with the intent of patching up my broken Spanish, but left with a heightened perspective, new acquaintances and a more fluent Spanish speaking tongue of course. Coming from the Western world and a fixed military complex, I was exposed to a different reality where a culture imbibed in Art, relished in their happiness and lived for the day. San Miguel de Allende is the perfect bedrock to house the Instituto Allende. The locals are warm and welcoming, just like the city on an evening night with your sweetheart. Urban legends say SMA sits atop an enormous crystal quartz, which may account for the city’s dependable tranquility. The teachers at the school know what they are doing, whether it’d be giving one-on-one Spanish lessons or overseeing future loom weavers. Instituto Allende made the Admissions process as painless as posible, keeping an open line communication with the students and adds some dimension to the Program, with bi-monthly field trips coupled with bi-weekly in-depth historical & cultural lectures. So if you’re a veteran, or maybe just a curious individual who wants to go off the beaten path, I’d say check out Instituto Allende beforehand, invest in yourself and try something new for a change.
Salvador López Jr. (Army)
My own experience in Instituto Allende was so nice, mainly concerning to the interaction with my classmates, that despite the remarked difference between our ages, we got a great mutual adaptation. I loved the Instituto, all the teachers were excellent… What I experienced it was during a critical stage of my life: I was just retired after 20 years of service and it was very advantageable to be in the Instituto’s environment, to share learning, friendship and joyful moments with my class mates while enjoyed arts and the development of my own creativity. I also made friends for lifetime…….
Juan Castro (Navy)
I have been attending the Instituto Allende for the last three years. I could not have a higher recommendation for this school. They continue to exceed my needs in every way. The campus is beautiful, with easy access to the library and classes regardless of a disability. The staff is excellent: they care about your success while maintaining uncompromising standards. A degree from the Instituto Allende holds its value because of their reputation of high standards and notable faculty. I arrived with learning disabilities, little knowledge of the Spanish language and without any background in art. They have since given me a solid foundation in most studio arts and a functional grasp of the Spanish language. As a disabled veteran with a service dog, they have gone out of their way to accommodate me and my battle buddy. They never make me feel out of place or different. If anything, I feel like family.
Artre Hillman Rusk IV, U.S. Coast Guard, retired
My experience studying at the Instituto de Allende was fantastic and much deeper than I expected. Not only did I get first rate, tailored instruction in the Spanish language and arts, but also an immersion into the rich culture of Mexico. The flexibility of the staff in providing individualized courses, which are often one-on-one, helped me to greatly increase my knowledge of Spanish. I arrived with an intermediate level and left with the ability to read Nobel prize winning literature. I can now converse with and understand native spanish speakers. San Miguel De Allende is an amazing place, with a great climate. The Instituto rocks! As a veteran who used all of my GI bill educational benefits, this was truly a highlight of my life and my best academic / cultural experience."
Michael D. Link – US Air Force, retired

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
JESÚS IBARRA
direccion@instituto-allende.edu.mx