Study Spanish Abroad

NICARAGUA
San Juan del Sur, www.sjdsspanish.com
Our student said: "I went to San Juan del Sur Spanish School in Nicaragua about one year ago, May 2008, for 2 weeks. I stayed with a family. The cost of the school was $120 per week for 4 hrs. per day of one on one instruction and also included an afternoon activity four days of the week. Lodging and 3 meals per day with a host family was $80 per week. There was also a $30 school registration fee. For $60 each way, one of the school employees will provide airport shuttle in his car to the airport in Managua two hours away, well worth it. I found it an over all pleasant experience. I went alone and felt safe. Managua, the big city, I've heard is not so safe so I was happy I chose to use the school's airport shuttle service. San Juan del Sur is a small Pacific coast town, popular with surfers. The school, which is a restaurant at night, is in an open thatched roof building right on the beach, so you have a view of the ocean and the sound of the surf during your lessons. Being next to the ocean is relaxing and always a big plus for me. The people were friendly. My instructor was the only male and a temp hired due to the high number of students the first week. He was very serious and knowledgeable and so I requested him for my second week, also. I got the feeling if I had requested him that second week that he would not have returned as he was a temp from another town. Most of the other instructors were young women who some didn't seem quite so dedicated to teaching as my teacher, but then the students were also mostly young males there to enjoy the cheap beer and accommodations, the surf and learn some Spanish with equal priority. Nicaragua was very hot and humid and the home accommodations have fans, no A.C. The director had standards that each student's quarters was to have its own shower, toilet and sink. The first house I stayed at had two rooms like this with those private facilities, but then the third room, mine, had none and shared those things with the host family. I didn't know this and really didn't mind sharing until 4 additional extended family guests from the USA arrived. Then it became too much noise and too much traffic. The family had been kind and I felt bad asking to be moved, as saving face seems to be a big cultural thing there, but I did. The director immediately relocated me to a quieter more removed location with a very nice family and I was happier, though. Ear plugs are a good idea for sleeping at night because of all the roosters crowing and dogs barking. Make sure to see a travel clinic and get your immunizations in order, preventative malaria pills in the rainy season, and medical insurance for emergency evacuation if necessary. The public hospitals are not good. Gifts for the host family or the children are a nice gesture such as dish towels, notebooks, colored ink pens, small toys, books or magazines in Spanish, magnifying reading glasses, etc. all those things are expensive over there. The food is good and the rum is good and cheap.

MEXICO:
Cuauhnahuac language school in Cuernavaca Mexico.
Our student said: "My daughter and I attended this school for two weeks in the summer of 2005. We had spent a month at this school several summers previously and encouraged me to go back with her. We stayed with the same host family she had been with on her first trip. It was a great, positive experience and I would recommend it. Someday I hope I can return. Their website has all the information about cost and accommodations. The entire staff was wonderful and I had great instructors. They do have agreements with NMSU and some other universities for students to earn college credits."
PlayaLingua.com:
One of our students attended this school in 2008 and 2009 and liked the teaching format. If you are interested in more information, contact us and we can put you in touch with our student.

COSTA RICA:
COSI school
One of our students attended this school in June 2009. She liked it and said the school had a beautiful view. He remarked that the "ticos" (people from Costa Rica) were very nice. She loved the coffee and the food. She stayed with a family and had to share the shower with other members of the family. There was not hot water and she didn't enjoy the cold showers. She learned a lot and will recommend the school but maybe will make different arrangements for the accommodations.