LEARN SPANISH AND OPEN A NEW WORLD
Immerse Yourself in Spanish and Mexican Culture
Enhance your language skills, explore Baja California, and build lifelong connections at a Mexican university just 2 hours from the San Diego-México border.
Bridge the language gap, join our growing international community!
A Complete Immersive Experience in Baja California
Our summer immersion and study abroad programs offer classes tailored to your career, daily language practice, cultural activities, and academic credit opportunities. Whether you’re here for two weeks or a full semester, you’ll walk away with more than just fluency.

Interactive language workshops

Cultural excursions and tours

Host family stays

Academic credit for extended stays
Dreaming of leveling up your Spanish?
Join our Spanish Language & Mexican Culture Immersion Program on June 30 - July 11, 2025!
This immersive program is held in Ensenada, Baja California, in collaboration with Universidad Xochicalco, and is designed for students and professionals to deepen both their conversational Spanish as well as terminology for their particular field. You’ll take intensive Spanish Language courses alongside classes in your area alongside one or more of our academic departments.
Each track incorporates hands-on, experiential learning and fieldwork components: from on-campus Engineering and Nutrition lab learning, to lessons showcasing our legal clinic and Applied Psychology consults, to a podcast creation workshop at our Multimedia & Radio booth, to off-campus visits in the community, such as to courthouses, local businesses and NGOs, media outlets, schools, clinics, museums, and more. In this way, you’re not only growing your conversational and specialized Spanish terminology – you’re also learning about your field from a new perspective and making valuable connections for your future.
What tracks are offered?
Choose from one or more of the following academic departments for your specialized track. To learn more about the department, click on the area of interest to be redirected to its website.
Hear from our alumni!
This was truly an unforgettable experience. It was such a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people and to learn more about the culture in this area of Mexico. The program staff went above and beyond to make us feel welcomed and to celebrate our experience. Everyone was so warm and friendly and the campus was lovely. It was very helpful to have the opportunity to engage in conversations and classes on topics of interest at a college level, and this helped me to move towards direct comprehension versus mental translations due to the content, new vocabulary and pacing. I appreciated the individual attention, the time to apply what we were learning with feedback from our mentors, and the fieldwork visit to DIF.
As a Psychology student, I loved watching the therapy sessions from the “secret room” (one-way mirror consults), and learned so much about how Psychology is adapted into the lives of Mexican clients. Psychologist Ana was very helpful in answering all our questions. And I was matched so well with my host family! It truly felt like I was spending the week with my extended family members, they were so welcoming and engaging. I would like to thank everyone who put this together for us, from the coordinators to our driver Bernardo for making sure we got to campus on time and taking us everywhere! I cannot brag enough about my experience to everyone back home and already recommending the program to friends/family.
10/10: The workbook, presentations, and mentors were so helpful. I enjoyed the fieldwork visits, especially touring the whole DIF building and seeing and learning about different services. I found the area-specific vocabulary and the hands-on element to be the most helpful.
My host family was kind, welcoming, clean, spoke to us about history of Ensenada and took into account dietary restrictions and other needs every day. I enjoyed all the cultural activities, the opportunity to be a part of the campus as a student, learn Spanish, attend classes that were interesting to me, and get to know a university and people in Mexico.
Discover Ensenada

Discover the beauty and charm of this coastal Mexican gem. Nestled along the stunning coastline of Baja California, la “Cenicienta del Pacífico” (“the Cinderella of the Pacific”), Ensenada enchants visitors with its breathtaking desert and ocean landscapes, picturesque vineyards, and world-famous cuisine. Explore the charming streets of colorful buildings and the lively atmosphere of the local markets. Indulge in fresh seafood delights at the bustling fish market or savor authentic tacos at roadside stands. Stay a few days longer and take advantage of the surfing, snorkeling, or whale watching in the crystal-clear waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Calm and family-friendly, Ensenada is considered a safe area of Mexico, with many tourists visiting and residing here. Despite this fact, we take extensive safety measures and work closely with our Ensenada-based partners to plan and carry out our educational and cultural activities with safety in mind. Host families are affiliated with our university and thoroughly vetted, and our group is accompanied by program staff. as our participants’ safety and well-being is always our top priority.
Why Study Abroad with CENEU?

Elevate Your Professional Skillset
The ability to communicate with diverse clients and international audiences is an invaluable asset.
As a bilingual professional, you’ll enjoy higher earning potential and employability, expanded opportunities and greater impact. And with nearly 500 million native Spanish speakers globally, and 43 million in the U.S., Spanish will come in handy in your professional life whether you’re interested in opportunities abroad or at home.

Learn From Trusted Faculty
Our collaboration with Universidad Xochicalco allows us to make the magic happen.
This partnership with a local leader in Baja California’s higher education landscape allows us to shine through our network of faculty and student mentors across 15+ specialized fields, safe and state-of-the art facilities, vibrant and high-quality programming, and a legacy of academic excellence over the last half century.

Make Friends & Lasting Memories
Befriend, connect and adventure with friendly Mexican locals who speak your target language.
Discover all that beautiful Baja California has to offer – nature, history, adventure, gastronomy – and participate in meaningful cultural activities with your cohort and, especially, with Mexican peers. Find language partners and even, possibly, lifelong friends!
Accessible and Flexible
Study Abroad that fits into your life and budget

With us, an international trip can also be convenient.
Ensenada is just two hours south of the San Diego – Mexico border, simplifying your travel experience and saving you the hassle – and costs – of an international flight.
If you have to fly, simply book a domestic flight to San Diego, where we’ll pick you up and drive as a group down to Baja.
If you’re close by, take a bus or train, or even make a road trip of it to save even more and get into adventure mode!

Seeking flexible scheduling options?
Short on time? No te preocupes. if you can only take one week off your studies or work, join for the first week of our program.
Craving a longer stay? Participate during both weeks, and if you choose, you can even extend your stay for another week, month, or even a full semester.
Best of all? Payments can also be flexible: you can always register with a monthly installment plan – no interest added.
Participant FAQs
Why should I join the Spanish Immersion Program?
Whether you are a student or working professional, a heritage speaker or second language learner, through our immersive program you’ll enhance your Spanish both inside and outside the classroom, guided by quality instruction from our experienced instructors and strengthened by daily practice with native-speaker peer mentors and host families. You will expand your global network with new friends and professional connections, emerging with an unforgettable international experience and a broadened perspective both personally and professionally. Anímate a vivir una experiencia única e inolvidable, llena de aprendizaje y crecimiento tanto personal como professional, donde forjarás amistades, desarrollarás destrezas y disfrutarás de emocionantes excursiones. ¡Únete a nosotros y vive la aventura!
Who can attend?
a. Are you a student, working professional or lifelong learner who speaks Spanish at an A2 level or above, or can commit to an individual Spanish learning plan to achieve A2 by the program dates? (If you’re not sure of your level, we’re happy to meet through Zoom for a conversational Spanish assessment.)
b. Are you 16+? (Those younger than 16 can attend if with a family member, and anyone under 18 will need parental or guardian approval).
c. Do you like to travel, adventure, get outside your comfort zone, have fun and try new things?
d. Are you open-minded with a sense of cultural curiosity and humility?
e. Are you looking for a meaningful and accessible experience where you will be challenged to grow beyond what you know and connect with others from different backgrounds?
f. Do you have a valid passport or can you obtain one? (If you need to apply or renew your passport, we encourage you to do so as early as possibly to guarantee that you will receive it in time. DACA applicants are encouraged to contact us early on and apply as soon as possible through Advanced Parole.)
If you answered yes to these questions, this program is for you!
How do travel and accommodations logistics work?
The group will meet mid-morning on the first day of the trip at the Otay Mesa border crossing (San Diego, U.S. side). There, program and university staff will accompany students in the “Xochi Van” and as a group we will drive down together to Universidad Xochicalco in Ensenada and start the adventure! During the trip, transportation to and from campus, host family homes, and excursions and sites around the city will continue to be through the university transportation, and in some cases, our vetted host families. On the last day of the trip, we will travel back to San Diego in the Xochi van. Those who choose to extend their stay and study abroad longer will also be accompanied to the border on their last day.
As for accommodations, our participants stay primarily with host families, typically families affiliated with Universidad Xochicalco. We share program guidelines and safety protocols with the families of interested students, faculty and staff, and those who wish to move forward fill out a survey designed to ensure that each family as well as their homes and neighborhoods meet our safety and lodging standards. This leads to a multi-step vetting process including home visits and interviews to ensure a good fit for both the family and participating student, and the final step includes a commitment to hospitably welcoming our participants throughout the length of their stay and attending a thorough training for host families prior to the program. We encourage this option for the full immersion experience, but can also offer on-campus dorm accommodations. These are limited and first-come, first-served, so if you prefer to stay on-campus (or with your partner, friend, family member or other participant), make sure to register early and let us know your preference upon registration so we can make the proper arrangements.
What is a typical day like?
Your typical schedule during the weekday will start off by fueling up for a busy day through breakfast with your host family before you’re dropped off on campus for the day. The academic schedule incorporates two hours daily of Spanish Language class, which focuses on overall fluency, syntax, vocabulary through oral and written comprehension and expression, while weaving in aspects of Mexican culture, society, geography, history, archeology, and gastronomy of Baja California as well as other Mexican regions, such as Mexico City, Yucatán and Oaxaca. In the last half of class, you’ll be grouped with your peer mentors (Xochicalco students) to practice what you’ve learned – a method that helps with retention and fluency while providing you with real-time feedback, tips and new phrases, and stimulating discussions with native speakers. Of course, you’ll also take classes and participate in workshops through the respective department(s) affiliated with your chosen track, and will have dedicated time and support to clarify any questions regarding both the content and terminology. Traditional Mexican lunches (including options for those with dietary restrictions and allergens) will be served on campus, and you’ll have a break afterwards to rest, recuperate and decompress with our mentors and each other.
Most evenings, you will have dinner with your host family, with some optional group evening outings which might include sipping on drinks and enjoying ceviche or tacos out on the town with our vibrant binational cohort, or a museum, boutique or bookstore visit if that is more your speed. Other scheduled cultural immersion activities include cooking workshops at the campus Gastronomy lab, a dance & arts class, tours of Ensenada’s historic cultural district and downtown, including open-air food and artisan markets, and a community beach bonfire. During the weekend, we’ll spend the day visiting the world-famous Valle de Guadalupe vineyards for their wine-growing tours and optional tasting. Sunday will be a rest day to spend with host families and explore the city and surroundings. Families will typically take you to their favorite local spots, but if there is anywhere you wish to see or anything in particular you’d like to check off your Ensenada bucket list, make sure to let us know!
How do I register?
First, fill out our interest form here, and make sure to be as detailed as possible regarding your profile, background, interests and goals pertaining to your Spanish journey, as well as any special accommodations you may require (dietary restrictions, allergies, personal preferences and so on). We will contact you to set up a Zoom chat (or you can schedule one directly below), so we can get to know you and clarify any questions you may have. Once you have chosen a track and dates, in order to save your spot you will need to complete your payment below (either in full or by starting a payment plan; if you need a longer plan, please contact us so we can share a personalized payment link), submit the required documentation and meet with us virtually for a brief, conversational Spanish assessment. We will maintain close contact to ensure we have everything we need from our you and vice versa, answer any questions as they arise, and meet for a group virtual pre-departure orientation session to review program guidelines and logistics, such as health and safety questions, our recommended packing list, and our target language pledge. Please keep in mind that our Early Bird deadline is through February 28, 2025; those who register by this date are guaranteed a spot, provided they meet our eligibility requirements, and will receive $300 off the cost.
Can I register alongside someone else?
Yes! We’ve hosted friends, family members, colleagues and couples before, and encourage participants to sign up alongside someone they wish to share this adventure with. We offer a $100 friends & family discount for both participants in this situation (this can be applied retroactively if one of you is ready to register before the other). If you sign up for different tracks, you will still be together for the language classes (provided you have a similar language level), cultural activities and excursions. If you wish to stay in the same host family or share accommodations, registering early and letting us know this preference will increase the likelihood of staying together.
What is your refund policy?
We understand that personal and family situations come up that may change travel plans unexpectedly. If you will no longer be able to participate in the program for the dates you had registered for, provided that you let us know at least 60 days in advance of the trip, we can honor your deposit and payments towards a future immersion program, direct study abroad at any of Universidad Xochicalco’s 3 campuses, or any of our other trips, virtual courses or private lessons. These payments can also be applied as a credit toward a registration transfer for an elegible friend, family member, classmate, or colleague. If cancellation is due to an emergency that occurs within 60 days of the program, you will need to provide detailed and accurate documentation for the payments to be applicable as a credit in the future. For more information or to request a registration transfer, contact the staff member that you’ve been in touch with or reach out at ceneusandiego@gmail.com.
Ready to Take the Leap?
Reach out with your contact information, Spanish level, passport status, track of interest, and any questions you may have.
If you’d like to connect directly with our program coordinators, you can schedule a Zoom call below.
2025 Spanish Immersion Program (Full Payment)
2025 1-Week Spanish Immersion Program (Full Payment)
2025 Spanish Immersion (Payment Plan)
2025 1-Week Spanish Immersion
(Payment Plan)