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PROGRAMA G.I. BILL/POST 911

PROGRAMA G.I. BILL/POST 911

ARTS AND SPANISH LANGUAGE COURSES
NON-COLLEGE DEGREE G.I.BILL PROGRAM
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
Instituto Allende, incorporated with the University of Guanajuato, has worked with the US Department of Veterans Affairs since 1950. Through the G.I. Bill program, you are able to apply your VA benefits toward our University, enabling yourself to live a personal, intellectual and academically rewarding experience. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a wide scope of arts and handcrafts, as well as in 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, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a splendid climate, spring and summer all year round, and a relaxing artistic-cultural atmosphere. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Mexico. The school is a historic building and has been a central part of San Miguel de Allende for generations.

Our facilities feature large gardens filled with art, sculptures and fountains. The school also has an in-house restaurant and study area for students to gather as a community. We have an excellent location in the downtown area of San Miguel.

Spanish Full Immersion Program

Our program offers mastery of the Spanish language within one year of total immersion.  The program is divided into two semesters and, depending on your current level of Spanish, you can choose to take both or just one of them.

Our Spanish program with the VA is 340 hours over a period of 19 weeks, with 12 hours of class (8 grammar/4 conversation) each week on an individual basis, one instructor to one student. You will work at your pace and at your level, taking into account your personal and professional objectives.

Your class schedule can vary with classes only between 8am and 5pm, you may have between two to four hours of class per day. You will have one instructor for grammar and another for conversation.

-Learn and understand structured grammar, reading and writing. -Learn to sound like a local, with a focus on speaking, pronunciation and even slang. -Your text book is provided, with an access code to an online platform including a variety of exercises and material for an advanced learning experience. -Visit archaeological, ecological, cultural and artistic sites within and nearby San Miguel that will complement your language experience.  Immerse yourself in Mexican culture and the rich diverse culture of San Miguel de Allende.

Exploring Beyond
Take part in class day trips or occasionally a weekend trip to practice your new language skills and enrich your cultural and historical understanding of the region. You might visit the captivating cities of Guanajuato, Querétaro, the majestic Peña de Bernal, or the serene Mineral de Pozos. Perhaps you will travel to see the migration of the Monarch butterflies in Michoácan, the pyramids of Teotihuacan or the canals of Xochimilco in Mexico City.  These excursions are scheduled periodically to complement your learning experience.

Art Workshops

Art Workshops to complement the Spanish program.

We have a variety of art workshops available such as Acrylic and Watercolor Painting, Stone Sculpture, Ceramics, Photography, Jewelry Making and Printmaking. You can combine any of these workshops with your Spanish courses, but with less Spanish hours, or in a second semester with us. All of these art courses are bilingual.

Mexican Holidays and Celebrations

Immerse yourself in Mexican culture by participating in local festivals and holidays. A calendar of these events will be provided upon arrival, ensuring you don’t miss out on the vibrant local celebrations as on those days there will be no classes.  This will also enable you to plan ahead for day trips or traveling.

Start Dates

Second week in January
Second week in April
Third week in August

Arriving in Mexico

For your entry into Mexico, ensure your passport is valid for the duration of your stay.  American citizens can enter Mexico without a visa for stays of up to 180 days for tourist purposes, including educational programs like ours. A student visa is not required if you plan to be in Mexico for that time frame.  The school will provide you a copy of your official acceptance letter to show customs and immigration officials at the airport.  If you plan to stay longer than 180 days we recommend you consult an immigration specialist.  Upon arrival, you’ll receive a Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM) to fill out.

Housing in San Miguel

There are at a minimum two long standing reputable realty companies in San Miguel.  Realty San Miguel (https://sanmiguelrealestate.com/real-estate/for-rent/long-term) or San Miguel Rentables (https://www.sanmiguelrentables.com/longtermrentalssanmiguel/)  You can look on their websites or work with a realtor for your specific preferences.  You can also use platforms like Airbnb or Booking for accommodations, but be appropriately cautious.  Many people book something for a short stay to look for further places in person upon arrival, but this isn’t required.   These various platforms offer a range of options to suit various preferences and budgets.

Weather in San Miguel de Allende

Enjoy the mild climate of San Miguel de Allende, with most days being sunny. Classes are conducted in gardens or classrooms that mirror the temperate outdoor conditions. Here’s what to
expect:
-Spring: Warm days and cool evenings. Light layers recommended.
-Summer: Rainy season, with afternoon showers. Warm, but not overly hot.
-Fall: Similar to spring, with cooler evenings.
-Winter: Crisp days and chilly nights. Warm clothing is advisable.

Enrollment

In order to enroll please fill out this form. Please enclose your certificate of eligibility for the G.I.Bill program in addition to the form.

https://forms.gle/MjRuvtTBS4fr5Pfx8

Testimoniales

"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