other than costa rica : study spanish this summer suggestions ...

Hello,

Three summers ago I spent a month in Heredia, Costa Rica studying
Spanish, the school was Intercultura. I lived with a local family, all
arranged via AmeriSpan. The whole experience was fantastic.

I would like to go back to Latin America this summer for about 3 weeks
for another immersive language/cultural experience.

I liked Costa Rica very much, but I would like to visit a new place.

I don't know much about other countries in Latin America, some friends
suggested Guatemala and Peru, what are the pros/cons? Are there any
other countries I should consider? Mexico? Ecuador?

Comparisons with Costa Rica if possible would be useful.

Thanks!
Esmail

I've taken classes or private lessons in Mexico, Spain, Argentina,
Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. Overall, I enjoyed my Spanish immersion
in Ecuador and Peru. The people in those two countries were the most
encouraging and patient when I stumbled through my Spanish plus they
spoke the clearest and slowest so I could comprehend what they were
saying. I also found their history and culture fascinating to me. I
usually like to go to a new country every year, but I'm making an
exception this year (and probably future years) to go to Cuenca,
Ecuador to study Spanish.

Cuzco in Peru is also great location to learn plus it's near Machu
Picchu which is a "before you die, you have to visit" place.

Bobo wrote:
> I've taken classes or private lessons in Mexico, Spain, Argentina,
> Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Peru. Overall, I enjoyed my Spanish immersion
> in Ecuador and Peru. The people in those two countries were the most
> encouraging and patient when I stumbled through my Spanish plus they
> spoke the clearest and slowest so I could comprehend what they were
> saying. I also found their history and culture fascinating to me. I
> usually like to go to a new country every year, but I'm making an
> exception this year (and probably future years) to go to Cuenca,
> Ecuador to study Spanish.
>
> Cuzco in Peru is also great location to learn plus it's near Machu
> Picchu which is a "before you die, you have to visit" place.
>

Hello there,

Where in Mexico did you go? I think I'm down to two places
at this point, Oaxaca, Mexico and Cuenca, Ecuador.

Did you do homestay in either place? Any schools you can
recommend?

I suspect traveling to Mexico from the US will be cheaper
than to Ecuador -- but I'm not sure - and that would be only
one factor.

I've been reading about both places, and they sound nice, so
if you have any more info on both/either it would be very
helpful!

Thanks,
Esmail

ps: I had a great time in Costa Rica, but like you I think it's nice
to experience a new country when the opportunity comes about.

pps: Yes, I think Machu Picchu I will visit too in this lifetime.