Spanish Language School??

[nolagirl]

I was in Central America this summer and completely fell in love with the places I visited. I am now determined to learn Spanish and am thinking of doing a spanish language school immersion program. Has anyone done one of these? How did you find the school? Where did you go? I'm really torn between going back to Nicaragua and visiting a new country.....if anyone has recommendations for schools I would love to hear about it!

[Asha]

i spent a semester in college in guadalajara, mexico. i attended spanish lang. classes at a spanish lang. school, sepe (if i am remembering correctly). the classes were from 8 a.m. to noon, and i lived with a mexican family. i went there having only had a year of introductory spanish, so when i got there i could not speak or understand anything. after about two months, i could commincate fairly well. it was one of the best experiences of my life.

[bellaprincess]

Nolagirl:

No recs for schools, but just wanted to see how you liked Nicaragua!
I got excited to see someone who visited there.

:)

[nolagirl]

Bella,

OMG.....you don't know how psyched I am to find someone who loves Nica too! I'm totally obsessed........everyone is so tired of hearing about it. I was in Granada, San Juan Del Sur and on Ometepe. I really want to go back and see the northern part and the atlantic coast. I've heard really mixed reviews of Managua, so I would be really interested to hear what you think of the city. I've actually gone so far as to look into teaching jobs in Granada (I lived in New Orleans prior to Katrina, and the cities are so much alike). Is your brother American? I would definitely love to hear what it is like to live in Nicaragua as well.

Sorry to gush......I know so few people that have been there and I have no one to talk about it with!

Abby

[BuffaloBlondie]

I did exactly what Asha did, but in Granada, Spain. When you live the language, you tend to pick it up more quickly. I went to Don Quijote language school and I highly recommend their program. I think they are also in South America. Good luck, it is an awesome experience!!

[bellaprincess]

Hi Nolagirl!

Isn't Granada lovely? I really think it is so colonial and pretty and there are lots of tourists there. Did you take a day trip to Las Isletas ( the volcanic islands) or to the craft market in Masaya? The Barcelo resort at Montelimar is pretty nice and the beach is fantastic there.

Yes, my brother is American also. He attends med school in Managua.
I think Managua is ok.You can find all the comforts of the US in Managua (malls, Cinemark and Regal movie theaters with stadium seating, Burger King, McD's, Pizza Hut, Papa Johns, Subway, TGI Fridays and even a Curves ladies gym).

It doesn't have the charm of the Granada or the beach like San Juan. I like going to Managua because I like to go and eat certain things there. :)
I don't eat any fruit or uncooked vegetables or take ice in my sodas so I won't get sick. I love love the Nicaraguan chain restaurant Rosti-Pollos, lol! I love their Rosti-Nuggets ( all white meat chicken nugget) with sweet n sour dipping sauce and their friojoles mollidos. I also really like this super cute cafe in Managua called "La Casa Del Cafe." It has great empanadas and pastries ( their tres leches is so yummy!) and the pastelitos de pollo ( baked mini empanadas sprinkled with sugar) are to die for!

I have never been to the Atlantic coast, but I heard that the Corn Islands are a must do and so incredibly beautiful.

Ok, I am babbling... so excited to meet someone else who has visited Nicaragua.

Do you have an LJ name? I would love to add you to my friends list!

[wander_woman]

I hear great things about Guatemala, especially the language schools in Antigua. I'm currently trying to learn Spanish in Bogota, Colombia. Although it's a great city, it's an expensive place to learn, so I don't really recommend it. Everyone we meets keeps raving about their experience learning Spanish in Antigua. It's apparently really cheap there, and it's a neat city to live in. There are supposedly a ton of schools there and you can live with a family if you want. Haven't been myself, but that's what I hear from others. Good luck!