Mexico's capital and most populous city has to be one of the most stimulating destinations that students can choose for study abroad. Mexico City or Ciudad de Mexico, D.F. (Distrito Federal), the country's cultural, industrial and economic hub, has something to offer students of all levels and fields of study.

The capital boasts several prestigious universities and language schools, and countless cultural and historical resources for a fulfilling study abroad experience. For students who wish to improve their Spanish language proficiency while pursuing their studies, the Universidad Iberoamericana offers a Spanish Language and Latin American Culture Program each semester and six weeks in summer. Programs are available in areas such as architecture, communications, computer sciences, engineering, chemistry and many other fields in the arts and sciences. The university also features state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories, and the 300,000-volume Francisco Xavier Clavigero Library.

Other notable Spanish language institutions include Centro de Enseñanza Para Extranjeros (Teaching Center for Foreigners) and International House. The Centro Cultural Tepeticpac Tlahtolcalli offers courses in Aztec dance, "huehuetl" (drum) playing, and indigenous cultures and languages, such as Náhuatl, Mixtec or Otom í.

Mexico City is located in the Valley of Mexico on the high central plateau. At an altitude of over 7,000 feet, the city enjoys a relatively mild climate year-round. Tradition holds that the Aztecs originally founded Mexico City in 1325. The city was almost completely destroyed in the Spanish conquest of 1521. It was redesigned and rebuilt soon after, and by 1524 Mexico Tenustitlán was established. In 1585, it was officially named Ciudad de Mexico.

Much of Mexico's rich history has played out in or near the capital, and field trips form an integral part of most study abroad programs. A variety of companies are available within the city center to assist in arranging guided tours to historical, cultural and archaeological sites. Many pre-colonial cities were based here, including Tenochtitlan, which was one of the world's largest cities at its peak. The ruins of this 14th century Aztec capital city are a spectacular site to behold.

El Zócalo, once part of Tenochtitlan and also known as the Plaza de la Constituci ón, is one of the world's largest city squares. From the 16th through the 18th centuries, the Spaniards built exquisite mansions and opulent public structures from the remains of the Aztec city they had destroyed. Graced with magnificent colonial architecture, the modern Zócalo is the bustling heart of the city, with street vendors, cantinas, and impromptu performances by native dancers and musicians. It is also the seat of Mexico's government, making it a popular place for political protests.

The landscape of Mexico City is permeated with reminders of past civilizations. Chapultepec Park, once an Aztec royal retreat, has retained reminders of its past through the passing centuries. It is an energetic hub of activity where a host of free entertainment, including concerts, mime troupes and magic shows, are enjoyed by people of all ages.

The park is also the site of the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, considered to be one of the worlds' finest anthropological museums. Designed by Pedro Ramírez Vázquez, this beautiful museum houses an amazing archaeological and ethnographic collection spanning some 100,000 square feet. The museum counts the famous Aztec sun stone among its fantastic assortment of indigenous artwork, which also includes pottery, religious artifacts, priceless photographs and traditional costumes. Another exciting museum is the Museo del Templo Mayor, which contains over 3,000 pieces excavated from one of the most important Aztec temples.

Mexico City has a vibrant cultural scene and boasts more than 150 museums to meet the needs of students of all fields of study. Students of photography, lithography and contemporary and modern arts will want to visit the Museo Nacional de Arte, the Museo de Frida Kahlo, the Museo de Arte Moderno and the Museo Dolores Olmedo. The Museo del Niño-Papalote is a must-see for students of science and technology. Finally, for history students, the Museo de la Ciudad de Mexico and the Museo Nacional de Historia offer excellent exhibitions on Mexico's rich past.

Mexico City has theaters, concert halls, and music venues to cater to every taste. And, like any booming metropolis, the city offers restaurants, sidewalk cafes and fast food establishments for every budget and offering every cuisine, from traditional Mexican dishes to high-end international fare.

Students who decide to study in Mexico City will find a thriving and historically rich city with boundless opportunities.

Resources -

IIEPassport.org: www.IIEPassport.org
Study Abroad Funding: www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: www.iie.org/gilman
National Security Education Program: www.iie.org/NSEP
Universidad Iberoamericana: www.uia.mx
Mexico City Virtual Guide: www.mexicocity.com.mx