By Laura K., Guest Blogger who wants to learn Spanish in Guanajuato, Mexico

Hola. It has now been one week since I arrived in Guanajuato. I feel much more at home now as I am in a routine. Every day I wake up at 745am and eat breakfast at 830 with my house mom and my roommate from Japan. We eat a plate of fruit covered in yogurt, usually melon, papaya and mango. I never liked papaya before, but now I love it! It’s supposed to be very healthy for your stomach too. We also eat toast with jelly. One thing I found is that peanut butter is incredibly expensive here compared to the US, but it’s one of those things that makes you feel more at home.

I also feel more at home now because I have girl friends from school and no longer have to go places alone all the time. Today we took a city bus an hour outside of town to the world’s second largest Jesus statue, Christo Ray. It was a good experience and there was a very nice view of the surrounding mountains.  The photo above is of the church in San Miguel de Allende, La Parroquia de San Miguel Archangel, at night. There was a wedding going on and I was was lucky enough to be outside as a bride and groom were saying goodnight. A mariachi band was playing beautiful traditional music as they made their exit. Mexico is a place where religion is omnipresent, which is much different than where I live in Denver. I am excited for tomorrow as new students arrive every Monday. I can’t believe how fast this week has gone.

Some things i have noted about life in Mexico either funny, frustrating, enamoring, or otherwise are: “machismo” in the men takes a bit to get used to, and it’s best to completely ignore. It is especially hard to camouflage when you have blond hair and blue eyes. There are “Perros de la calle”, stray dogs, everywhere! They are generally friendly but I wouldn’t pet them!  Things run on a slower time schedule, or none at all. Things will happen when they happen, it’s best to slow down and enjoy life. A ham sandwich with mayonnaise for breakfast is totally normal, and it is always a good idea to have small change if you are in public and need to use a bathroom, toilet paper’s not free!  I am having a great time and look forward to going to the mummy museum this week. Hasta luego!

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The number one city on the list? San Miguel de Allende, a romantic colonial city located in the far east of Guanajuato and close to Mexico City. San Miguel de Allende has a history of being a mecca for Mexican artists and art students, and has a wide variety of cultural attractions – its Sanctuary of Antotonilco and historic center have been recognized as world heritage sites and it boasts artsy cafes, galleries and museums.

CNN's Conde Nast Traveler rated this city highest in the areas of friendliness and ambiance.

Sound good to you? Find out more about AmeriSpan's San Miguel de Allende Spanish schools

See the full list: Top 5 Cities in Mexico

Guest blogger Laura K. describes her experiences starting a new life path with Mexico study abroad

Hola, Me llamo Laura.

I have made the decision to undergo a career change, and thought when better to pack up and head to Mexico to learn Spanish! I am hoping that when I return to Colorado, I will be able to use my new language skills in my next job. I chose Guanajuato, Mexico because I had heard from my family as well as a friend who did a study abroad through the University de Guanajuato that this was a great town filled with educated people, beautiful buildings, and was safe for a woman traveling alone. This next month will be a growing experience in many ways, sure to be filled with cultural experiences, difficulties expressing myself, time to think about what I want to do with my life, and new friends.

I arrived in Guanajuato, Mexico where I met up with my dad who is retired and traveling with his friends. We spent a day in Guanajuato (GTO) in order to find my school and the location of my host family. I was pleased to see that my family lives about a three minute walk from the school and that the neighborhood is friendly and well taken care of! Shortly after, I left with him to San Miguel de Allende, which is another town near the mountains about an hour away. It is known for its weather and art, and many expatriates now call this town home. Unfortunately, the perfect weather has yet to show its face! It rained for four days straight! We were still able to see the town, albeit soaking wet, and I was impressed. There is a magnificent market where people sell many items, from blankets to jewelry to chicken feet. I ate a chile relleno in the market at a little stall, so happy to be here where spicy salsa is everywhere!

I returned to GTO on the day before classes started and met my host family and another student from Japan that also lives with them. We each have our our little apartment-style rooms in their backyard with our own bathrooms, que suerte! I tried to embrace my family with an open mind, and go along with their customs and traditions. A couple things I have found that are different than home are that they eat their biggest meal at three in the afternoon which consists of multiple items, and that a handshake is not the proper way to greet someone (one kiss on the cheek).  It has been easier than I thought to accomodate to their family. They have a Beagle and a cat which makes me feel at home!

I was beginning to feel alone, and I couldn't express myself how I wanted to, but thankfully starting school has led to friends, better Spanish, and a couple chances to speak English (I know, I know, I´m supposed to be learning Spanish!).

I have class from 9am to 1pm this week and a couple times a week there are free classes in the afternoons to learn to salsa dance, cook typical Mexican food, or mingle with the other students. It was hard the first couple of days, I started to second guess why in the world I had boarded a plane by myself to live in a country where I knew no one and was not confident in my language skills, but I am happy to say I am slowly gaining confidence and know this will be an immense opportunity for personal growth and change.

Guanajuato is city I believe I will greatly miss when this is all over.

Hasta Luego!

Laura

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"Combined with the city’s long-established studio art scene, a vibrant cafe culture, a mescal-fueled night life and one of Mexico’s most exciting regional cuisines, Oaxaca is as cosmopolitan as it is architecturally stunning."

The author of the article had a fantastic time, seeing an alley full of different smoked meats for sale, a burgeoning street art scene, lots of colorful sights and cuisine, and more. The city is clearly an incredible backdrop for language immersion!

See more about learning Spanish in Mexico

This holiday has Aztec roots and was originally dedicated to a goddess named Mictecacihuatl. Celebrants will traditionally visit the graves of the deceased and construct altars of flowers, food and drink out of respect for them. Loved ones who have passed on are remembered fondly and offerings ("ofertas") are displayed throughout gravesites and homes. Towns are aflurry with beautiful shrines adorned with sugar skulls, marigolds, and more. As it is a day of celebration, parades are often held.

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This blog series was inspired by an 'Organizing an Event's" article entitled "10 Events to Attend Before You Die.",

By Alisa W., guest blogger studying at AmeriSpan's Playa del Carmen Spanish school

I returned home yesterday from Playa del Carmen.  I took a bus to the Cancun airport.  The ticket for the bus is only 106 pesos, so it is very affordable and easy to take a bus, which is air-conditioned.  I found myself getting sad as the bus was driving through town to the highway, I passed many places that my friends and I would often visit or go eat.  My experience here has been so amazing.  I don't think I would have changed anything, even a couple undesirable experiences gave me a better perspective on life in Mexico. 

I think the thing that overall, I was most shocked about, is how much poverty exists in Mexico.  I had never really considered it, but you see many tiny little homes that I couldn't even imagine living in.  Houses with tar roofs and aluminum panel siding, and little concrete homes with only one room.  I was fortunate that my family seems to be comfortable enough, and my room was quite nice.  The second thing that I was surprised about was how nice, patient, and friendly the Mexican people are.  Even when you are making things more difficult for them, they don't get upset with you, they just do their best to try to help you.  I think many of us could stand to learn a few things from the generosity of these people.

I am glad to be back in the United States, and my first night sleeping in air-conditioning was better than I had imagined.  However, I miss Mexico, and found myself thinking about what I would likely be doing if I were still in Mexico, or what my Mexican family and friends were doing as I though about them throughout the day.  This having been my second experience studying abroad, I am 110% convinced that living in a culture that is not your own for at least a month is probably, in my opinion, one of the best things you can do to help yourself grow.  I don't mean taking a vacation, and staying in a 5-star hotel, I mean really experiencing the culture of the country you are visiting.  Stay with a family, talk with the locals, get your feet dirty, keep an open-mind, and know that even when you feel uncomfortable, you will come out of the experience a with a better perspective on everything the world has to offer.

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Playa del Carmen Spanish school

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Read all of Alisa's blogs from Playa del Carmen

Meet Alfonso Nájera Sánchez, Academic Coordinator and a Spanish Instructor at AmeriSpan's Playa del Carmen Spanish school

What is your background?
41 year old, Degree in Spanish, Resident of Playa del Carmen since 1999

Which languages have you studied?
English

Have you ever studied abroad? 
I would have like to work or study abroad at some point.

When did you enter the study abroad industry?
I have worked with our school since 1999

What is your job within the organization?
Playa del Carmen school's Academic Coordinator and Spanish Instructor

What do you like best about your job?
I love to teach the Spanish Language and share our Mexican Culture with the students. Every week I enjoy the challenge of organizing the classes and meeting the objectives of our students and helping them meet their goals.

What person or group of people have contributed to your success?
The entire school staff is like a family and has had a great impact during my 11 years at the school. I have learned a lot from every member of the team.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization?
Teaching Spanish and sharing the rich Mexican culture. Satisfying the needs of our students and helping with  any concerns while they are here in Mexico.

Anything else you'd like to add?
Un curso de español no solamente se limita a la enseñanza de la gramática. Durante su inmersión debemos lograr su satisfacción comunicativa y guiarlos hacia un encuentro real con la cultura mexicana. De esta manera los estudiantes podrán disfrutar cada proceso de aprendizaje en la lengua.

("A Spanish course is not only limited to the teaching of grammar. During your immersion, you must achieve communicative satisfaction and be open to a real encounter with Mexican culture. In this way, you can enjoy the learning process in each language.")

Learn more about AmeriSpan's Playa del Carmen Spanish school

By Alisa W., guest blogger studying Spanish in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Over my trip I have constantly been evaluating my packing choices.  I thought it might be useful for those traveling to Playa del Carmen, or anywhere that has a similar climate.  The climate here in Playa is, well, HOT.  It isn't necessarily the temperature, however, that gets you.  It's the humidity.  The humidity is often very high.  I walked past a thermometer that said the humidity was 80%.  The temperature is usually only around 85-90 degrees.  Being from Texas, this does not seem that hot, however, combined with the humidity, it often feels hotter than Texas.  You spend most of the day very sweaty, but don't worry about it too much, because everyone is sweating!

Fortunately for me, I had some help when packing from my sister who had just returned from a month in Costa Rica.  The first thing I will say not to bring is denim jeans, or really any type of pants for that matter.  You don't need them, and you will likely be uncomfortable trying to wear them.  Yes, the locals will wear them, but you will find yourself wondering why??  If you insist on bringing some, wear the pair you want to bring on the plane, that way you can save space in your suitcase.  Ladies, I don't recommend bringing make-up, I gave up on all of it after the first few days.  I did wear it when we went out at night, but not much, as it is likely to melt off of your face.  The essentials: shorts (lots of them), bathing suits, tank tops, and very light t-shirts, and for girls I recommend light sundresses or cover-ups.  Fortunately, here in Playa, the style is more casual, and people aren't quite as modest since most people spend their time in bathing suits anyways.  I'm not implying, however, that it is OK to walk around everywhere in your string-bikini, because it's not.  A few things that I had wished I had brought were a few more things to dress-up with, the style is still fairly casual, but people do get dressed up to go out to the club or bar.  Ultimately, it's up to you.  I have found that I feel the most confident and outgoing when I am comfortable with what I'm wearing.  Wear what you like, you don't always have to conform to the styles that are in fashion right now.  Wear what makes you feel good.  In playa, I have found, less equals more. 

Another good idea is to bring an old beach towel that you don't mind leaving behind.  You will get a lot of  use out of your towel any time you stay somewhere with a beach, and if you can leave it behind you will have more room for your souvenirs and gifts on the way home.  Another good idea is a hat and sunglasses.  I brought a cheap pair of sunglasses so I didn't have to worry about scratching them, breaking them, losing them, etc. etc, and they got scratched badly, so I'm definitely glad I chose to bring the $5.00 pair.  Most importantly, don't forget the sunscreen!  Sunscreen is expensive here in Playa, so I recommend bringing your own.  An umbrella is also a good idea, as it does rain off and on fairly often, and it's not fun getting caught walking home in it.

Fortunately, don't worry too much if you forget something.  You can always buy it at your destination!

Find out more about AmeriSpan's Spanish school in Playa del Carmen

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Read all of Alisa's blogs from Playa del Carmen

Meet Katherine Neumann, Reservations, Information and Front Desk at AmeriSpan's Playa del Carmen Spanish school

What is your background?
I am a 29 year old Canadian who has been living in Mexico on and off for 10 years (as a permanent Resident for the past 6 years). I have a BA in Spanish. 

Do you travel often?
As often as I can! I love nothing more than visiting somewhere new.

Have you studied abroad?
I did a study abroad program in Mexico when I was 18 and it completely changed my life. What was originally meant to be a 5 week Spanish Program in Mexico has turned into a decade and counting…..

What foreign languages do you speak?
I studied French in Canada and am fluent in Spanish.

How did you get involved in Study Abroad?
My study abroad experience had a huge impact on me and my life. I learned so much from the host family I lived with and am still in touch with them today. I wanted to help other students have the same experience I did in Mexico.

When did you start working at the school?
December 2009

What is your job at the organization?
Reservations, Information and Front Desk. I am here to answer any questions that the agencies/ students may have, both during the planning process and during their time in Playa del Carmen.

What do you enjoy most about your job?
I truly enjoy meeting the students from all over the world and seeing them fall in love with this country. It is always sad to say goodbye to students at the end of their stay, but incredible to hear how their study abroad has changed their life- especially when they tell me in Spanish!

What person or group of people have contributed to your success?
I love that our school is a big extended family and every student feels part of that here.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization?
When I first arrived in Mexico, I definitely experienced a bit of culture shock and was so nervous about being in a foreign country and not being able to speak the language whatsoever. The first day I called home crying wondering if I was really as brave as I thought I was. I thought about cutting my trip short but  decided to stick it out and see what happened. By day 3 I had made lots of friends at school, by the end of week 1 I was able to answer questions in Spanish and find my way around the City on my own and by week 4 I was loving all the delicious Mexican food and couldn´t seem to eat without Chile y limón. On my last day I called home crying again but this time because I didn´t want to leave.

Anything else you'd like to add?
If you are unsure about traveling to Mexico, please feel free to ask as many questions as you have. AmeriSpan can relate to the questions/concerns that students and their families may have and we are always happy to help.

See more about the  Playa del Carmen Spanish school

Meet Pedro Martin Rodriguez Valladares, Head of Studies at AmeriSpan's Guanajuato Spanish school

What is your background?
I live in Guanajuato, I am 42 years old, and I have a degree in Academic Psychology.

Do you travel abroad often?
At least twice a year.

Have you studied abroad?
Yes, I went to university abroad.

Which languages do you speak or have you studied?
English and a bit of German.

How and why did you get into the Study Abroad market?
I was an instructor of Spanish for over twenty years. Eventually, I taught at a Community College in the state of Oregon through an Intercambio ("Interchange") program. And here I am!

 

When did you start/join your organization?
In 2003.

What is your job or function at the organization?
I am the Head of Studies.

What do you enjoy the most about your job? 
Working to organize courses and supporting instructors inside and outside of the classroom. And of course, meeting people from around the world!

Was a person, group of people or organization that were instrumental in your success?
All of our instructors and host families. Without them, our programs wouldn't be nearly as successful.

Tell us one of your biggest challenges in starting your organization.
Everything is challenging when you strive to create the best cultural and academic environment possible!

How did you and AmeriSpan begin working together? 
AmeriSpan and Don Quijote are partners.

Can you tell us about your schools philosophy, specialty and/or why you think it is special?
Everyone at Don Quijote is committed to our students living the language in this city and, of course, our school. We encourage our students to not just learn the language but to appreciate the culture as well.

Find out more about our Guanajuato Spanish school