About Cuernavaca, Mexico
With all of the countries in the world to choose from when learning abroad, why choose Mexico? Think you’ve already “been there and done that” because you’ve visited Mexico before? Well, think again! There are many reasons why Cuernavaca, Mexico is a vibrant and exciting place to choose for your international experience.
Mexico is relevant to current US political issues like NAFTA and immigration. Studying in Cuernavaca will provide first-hand knowledge of these realities, along with the language and cultural skills to interact and work with Latino populations at home. Cuernavaca is also the center of activity for many vibrant and important social movements, including the feminist, LGBT, and environmental movements. Finally, the cultural heritage and beauty of Mexico is astounding. Pre-Colombian pyramids dot the landscape, indigenous communities continue to practice ancient traditions, and the colonial history of Cuernavaca gives the city a European flair.
Cuernavaca is a city known for its perennial spring weather, making it a favorite vacation and weekend get-away for Mexico City residents. Located in the state of Morelos, Cuernavaca is about 1 hour south of Mexico City and 3 ½-4 hours north of Acapulco. Both the city and the state are important in Mexican history: the palace of the Spanish conqueror, Hernán Cortez, borders the central plaza in Cuernavaca; the state itself was named after Father José María Morelos, one of the founders of the Mexican War of Independence against Spain in 1810; and Morelos is the birthplace of Emiliano Zapata, who led the cry “Land and Liberty” in the Mexican Revolution of 1910 in the southern half of the country. Cuernavaca is also known for its role in innovative grass-roots education, alternative health practices, Base Christian Communities (“BCCs”), and economic cooperatives. North Americans, Japanese and Europeans are attracted to Cuernavaca’s numerous Spanish language schools.
Cuernavaca is a good city in which to be based. It is not huge like Mexico City, which has a population of approximately 22 million, but it is big enough (750,000) to offer plenty to do. Markets, theaters, museums, cafés, discos, and restaurants abound. Cuernavaca also offers a flavor of rural Mexico with peasant farmers and Nahuatl-speaking indigenous people coming into the city to buy and sell in the market, as well as a growing population of migrants from rural areas.
Currency Exchange
The unit of currency is the peso. The exchange rate at the time of printing (Nov. 2007) was $10.67 pesos to US $1. However, the rate does fluctuate.
Time
The time is the same as U.S. Central Standard time. Mexico also implants Daylight Savings, just as in the U.S.
Weather Conditions
During the dry season (October - April) the climate is sunny and pleasant (70° - 80° F) most days, cooling at night. It also gets a bit cold at the end of November-December. During the rainy season (May - October) it is slightly warmer (70° - 85°) and there are often daily afternoon and evening showers. The altitude is high, both in Cuernavaca (6,000 ft) and Mexico City (7,300 ft), so you may find yourself getting tired more easily until you acclimate.
Housing
The Center for Global Education (CGE) maintains two houses in Cuernavaca for its study programs. One of these will be your home base during the semester. Both are located in Colonia San Antón, a 15-minute walk to the main downtown area. The house in which the office is located is known locally as “Casa CEMAL” (the Spanish acronym for Centro para la Educación Mundial). 
It has four bedrooms with bunk beds, six bathrooms, a dining room, living room, large patio, small library, ample garden space, and a study room equipped with a printer, four computers (two with internet access), and additional internet cables and wireless access for those who wish to bring laptop computers. Approximately four people will share each bedroom, depending upon the size of the group. Casa CEMAL also has common space for classes, study, and leisure time. All meals will be prepared and served in Casa CEMAL, although you will be asked to wash your own dishes.
The other house that CGE maintains is called “Casa Augsburg,” (also sometimes called Casa 
Verde) which is across the street from Casa CEMAL. Casa Augsburg, which was recently renovated, has several bedrooms, many bathrooms, two classrooms, a kitchenette, and several spaces to study or hang out, as well as a small computer lab that includes wireless internet access, as well as additional cable access for those who wish to bring laptop computers.
If you do choose to bring a laptop, we strongly recommend that you consider property insurance for any theft or damages because if anything happens to it, you will be responsible for the cost or repairs or replacement, whether or not the damage is the result of your action or the action of another student, staff person, or unknown person.
Dining facilities are in Casa CEMAL and classrooms are in Casa Augsburg There are also facilities to wash clothes by hand in both houses, although you may choose to go to the nearby laundromat. The laundromat charges approximately US $2.50 for “full” service-wash, dry and fold.
The Universal language school, which has a small swimming pool 
and racquetball court, is conveniently located on the same street as the CGE houses. Also located on the same street are a bakery, an Internet café, four small grocery stores, two stationery stores, a Pentecostal Church and the San Antón Catholic Church. Casa Augsburg (The Green House)
Phone Calls
Calls to and from the United States
The Center now has Vonage phone service through the Internet that allows us to make and receive calls as if we were in Minneapolis. For family and friends from the Twin Cities, this is a local call. For everyone outside of the Twin Cities, the call is a national long distance call. You may want to have family and friends to call you, and set up a pre-arranged time so that they know you’ll be at the house when they call.
Calls within Mexico
In addition the Vonage phone system, we also maintain Mexican phone numbers for local and long-distance calls within Mexico. Please note that if you are making a long distance call from within Mexico, you must dial “01-777” before the rest of the number.
