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Spanish immersion students in Oaxaca have a unique opportunity to learn Spanish abroad in one of the most historically rich areas in Mexico. Oaxaca is the 5th largest state in all of Mexico with a relatively small population of 3,500,000. Students taking Spanish language courses in Oaxaca don’t have to look far to see the diverse cultural history of the area as there are ruins throughout the city itself as well as the state.

The diversity of the cultures in Oaxaca both linguistically and culturally is a result of the rugged terrain throughout the region. Very powerful and influential groups were able to emerge in the central valley of Oaxaca from its fertile land. The Zapotec people were the first to occupy the land and were then overthrown by the Miztecs in the thirteenth century. One of the best ways for students studying Spanish abroad in Oaxaca to experience this part of history is visit the ruins of these formerly dominant cultures in the famous city of Monte Alban.

The Aztec empire was one of the strongest and most influential empires to exist in all of Latin America and their dominance showed when they were able to conquer the Miztec people in the fifteenth century. Although extremely powerful the great Aztec empire came tumbling down by the hands of the Spanish including the city of Monte Alban in Oaxaca. Hernan Cortes was then given the rights to Oaxaca as a reward of his conquest and introduced many changes in the area. Spanish brought new food as well as new ways to cultivate their crops but they also brought with them their diseases which killed off many of the natives in the area along with forcing them to search in dangerous mines for the much sought after prize of gold.

Students taking spanish language courses in Oaxaca will have the opportunity to experience first hand the mix of so many cultures through the historical ruins and clonial architecture, the diverse population, and a mix of traditional and modern foods.