IALC celebrates in Mexico

As Mexico’s most popular location for learning Spanish, Cuernavaca provided the perfect setting for IALC’s 20th Anniversary Workshop in May 2003.

Although the effects of the Iraq War and SARS outbreak were being felt by international tourism around the globe, 55 agency and 54 IALC school delegates from around the world came together in Cuernavaca in May to plan future cooperation.

Zhao Jing and Zhang Aimin of Liaoning Anshan East Asia made the journey all the way from China. The 2003 IALC Workshop also attracted study abroad agents from Eastern and Western Europe as well as a strong turnout from the Americas.

Ready to do business with them were 48 IALC member schools representing seven languages in 16 countries.

The traditional Friday evening party offered by the hosting IALC school launched a busy and enjoyable weekend. Delegates enjoyed Mexican delicacies and entertainment in the beautiful gardens of the Universidad Internacional. Tours of the leading Spanish language institute were organised during the evening.

At Saturday’s al fresco Gala Dinner at the stunning Villa Vista Hermosa, Cesar Rennert, IALC Historian and one of the Association’s founding members, entertained guests with a synopsis of the 20-year history of IALC, before they sat back with their margaritas under the stars to enjoy a display of traditional dancing from all the regions of Mexico.

The Workshop was preceded by the 2003 IALC Annual General Meeting, at which the Association accepted 16 new schools as members. All meet IALC’s strict quality standards and undertake to adhere to its Code of Ethics.