Saskia de Schutter - Holanda


I have in at Ecela Spanish School for 12 weeks in total. Most of the time I spend in Buenos Aires. I had, like almost everyone, a great time there! Because BA is great city, but also because of the school. A lot of really nice activities are organised, in and outside BA. And if I needed to know anything else, where to go or what to do, there`re always the staff who can help you. It`s also a really easy way to meet a lot of nice people! I also went a week to the school in Bariloche. The school is really diferent there, because it`s much smaller. But the people are also al really nice and there`s a lot of stuff to do in Bariloche aswell. It was a different experience than BA, but also very good! So I think if you go to Ecela there`s a really small chance that you won`t have a good time!

Annemarie Gunkel, 22 - Germany


Ein paar Eindrücke von meinem mehrwöchigen Aufenthalt in Ecela im März und April 2007: Kulturenmischmasch im Pausenraum, ich probe ich mein gerade erworbenen Sprachkenntnisse mit Franzosen, Amerikanern, Chinesen und Brasilianern und auch wenn manchmal die Händefußtechnik nachelfen muss, irgendwie klappts mit der Verständigung. Nach einem Café und zwei Medialunas fühle ich mich auch gestärkt genug um die nächste Stunde in Angriff zu nehmen... höchste Konzentration ist gefordert um meinem jungen Lehrer Marcelo und seinem aktiven Unterricht zu folgen... doch mit dem Konversationsteil des Unterrichts lässt auch die Anspannung nach und das Gelernte kann sich setzten. Nach der Schule ist es aber noch lange nicht vorbei, denn schließlich gehört um eine Sprache zu lernen mehr dazu als bloße Paukerei und wo lernt sich das besser als in der Praxis? Zu Fuß wird die Stadt erkundigt, geführt von der energischen Natasha die die internationale Truppe immer wieder zusammentreibt und allerlei Interessantes über ihre Stadt und ihr Land zu erzählen weiß. Unvergesslich sind mir auch die Abende bei argentinischer Folklore und Tango geblieben. Neben einer Menge an neuem Wissen habe ich schönen Erinnerungen an gesellige Abende mitgenommen von denen mir ein oder zwei sehr wertevolle Freunde geblieben sind.

Jerry Wang - USA


I was a student at ECELA Spanish School in Buenos Aires for 6 weeks, Bariloche Spanish school for 2 weeks, and the Santiago school for 11 weeks. Just returned the beginning of this Feb. Going on one of these trips/programs is absolutely one of the best decisions I've made in my life. ECELA/Latin Immersions is a pretty good program. They have a good balance of social activities, field trips, and classes. It's better than just traveling or vacation because you actually gain some skills from it (spanish). The Santiago school even helped students and myself get volunteer or work opportunities. The social component of the trip is the best part of the whole experience. In 5 months, I've met about 200 people, ranging from 19-65 yrs old. There were students, pilots, dean's of universities, teachers, VPs of companies, small business owners, tons of lawyers, etc. from all over the world. The relationships I've built are lifelong and we continue to keep in touch. Whether you get a good group of students during the time you go is just based on luck of the draw and the time you go (ie. more students during the summers). Let's just say you shouldn't have a problem meeting people at the school. As for living arrangements, I would say if you'd like to immerse yourself into the Latin culture, then go with the homestay.

Tajah Umar - Estados Unidos


I had an amazing time in ECELA Spanish school in Santiago! I met some pretty amazing people and some pretty not-so-amazing people but the experience was well worth it. i wouldn't take back a second of my time spent there. I've been home for a few days now and it's been pretty hectic being back in school and working nights while moving. After coughing most of the Santiago out of my lungs I realized how little I actually saw while I was in South America meaning I'll have to make my way back down there for sure. I've had little time to sleep but i swear I'll find a day to catch up soon. You guys are all some pretty cool people and i plan to cross paths with at least a few of you again, that would be nice. I just want to thank all of you guys for making my four weeks there so much fun. Susana especially. You're a really great person, keep it up I'll come back and visit when i have dinero y cuando yo hablaré espanol. Good luck in whatever you guys are doing have safe travels and such, I have to go to work. Talk soon. -Tajah

Ingo Schings, 22 - Holland


"During my Spanish lessons we discussed actual topics like the farmer`s strike of last week. It`s fun to discuss and improve my Spanish skills at the sametime. After school nice activities are organised for us. This week I`ve been to a spectacular soccer match of Boca Juniors ind the "Bombonera" Stadium. I`ve also prepared a typical Argentine dish called "empanadas" and of course I have been going out with my fellow students. I do recomend study spanish in Buenos Aires in ECELA to everyone who wants to learn spanish and more of Argentinian culture; It`s amazing!!!!!!!!"

Brett Bold -


My confession... I chose ECELA to learn Spoanish solely based on a recommendation and after 6 weeks all my expectations were not only met, but blown away. I arrived in Santiago with no previous Spanish education and today I can navigate around a city of 6 million people, ask for and give directions, read a menu and order, tell taxi's where I live how to get there, and (most important) flirt with Chilena's in their own "Tongue"!!!! One of the most comforting things about the school is the employees. From the teachers to the activity coordinator to the maids, everyone is extremely helpful and friendly. I wanted to travel to Salvador de Bahia, Brazil to attend Carnaval and Astrid, the schools student coordinator, helped me plan everything from transportation to accommodations. She is one of the most genuine persons I have ever encountered and acts as everyones mom, sister, teacher and best friend. Almost everyday the school offers a cultural experience in the city whether it be a tour a new neighborhood or a salsa, wine or Chilean history class. Every Friday the school hosts an amazing party for departing students that consists of Carlos's Primo BBQ, cerveza and great memories. Almost every weekend I have traveled all around Chile to surf every major beach in Chile including Pichilemu, Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, La Serena, Iquique and Arica. I also went to the driest place on the earth, "San Pedro de Atacama," where I saw geyser's, salt flats, moon valley, huge lagoon's with flamingo's, swam in a salt river and saw miles and miles of desolate terrain. All together my 6 weeks in Santiago have been epic and I couldn't say greater things about the school and experience in Chile. Please feel free to ask me mas preguntas. Brettbold@gmail.com

Roderick Panchaud - Suiza


Liebe ECELA, herzliche Astrid, Dass ich nach der Matura fuer eine bestimmte Zeit nach Lateinamerika gehen wuerde, war fuer mich schon seit langen klar. Sehr reizte es mich, mein Spanisch zu verbessern und wo kann man dies besser als auf dem lateinamerikanischen Kontinent? So entschied ich mich, als Start meiner Reise eine Sprachschule zu besuchen und begann mich einerseits im Internet nach einer geeigneten Schule zu informieren, anderseits auch das Gespraech mit bereits erfahrenen Suedamerikareisern zu suchen, die mir wertvolle Tipps geben konnten. Aufgrund der vielen positiven Rueckmeldungen waehlte ich schlussendlich die ECELA, was sich im Nachhinein als sehr gute Wahl herausstellte. Trotz des intensiven Spanischkurses am Morgen, bei welchem nach jeweils zwei Wochen ein Test fuer den Eintritt ins naechste Level abgelegt werden muss, bleibt genuegend Zeit uebrig, sich diversen anderen Aktivitaeten zu widmen. Ich schaetzte zudem besonders, dass die Mitarbeiter der ECELA sich nicht nur in der Schule, sondern auch in ihrer Freizeit Zeit nahmen, denn Studenten die chilenische Lebensart zu zeigen. Die Einladung eines Mitarbeiters in sein Kindheitshaus auf dem Lande freute mich daher besonders. Als Wohngelegenheit kann ich das Studentenheim sehr empfehlen, da man dort den Alltag mit verschiedenen Menschen aus diversen Kulturen verbringt. Dabei muss man jedoch bedenken, dass das Spanisch etwas zu kurz kommen kann und bei einer Gastfamilie sicherlich mehr Spanisch gesprochen wird. Nach dem einmonatigen Kurs in Santiago reiste ich fuer fuenf Wochen in den Sueden ins wunderschoene Patagonien, welches ich an dieser Stelle ebenfalls nur weiterempfehlen kann und kehrte dann fuer einige Tage nach Santiago zurueck. Ohne Probleme konnte ich wieder im Studentenheim wohnen und der Kontakt zu den ECELA-Leuten war auch gleich wieder hergestellt. Nun geht es fuer mich weiter nach Buenos Aires, wo ich erneut einen Spanischkurs besuchen werde.

Michael Krawitz - USA


I definitely recommend spending time at ECELA (Latin Immersion) in Peru. As a general matter, Peruvians speak good Spanish, so it’s a good place to learn. In addition, the school in Miraflores is very good. The teachers and staff are not only good at their jobs, they are also genuinely nice (and fun) people – I consider my teacher, the director and the activities director friends now (and I think everyone in the school had a similar experience). I spent time at ECELA in Santiago, Buenos Aires and Lima, and I am very glad I did the Lima portion. Obviously, each place is different culturally. In many ways Lima is the furthest culturally from the U.S., so that made it a little extra interesting and rewarding. If you need to be in a gigantic city, I’d say skip Peru and go to Buenos Aires. Otherwise, I think you’ll have a great education and experience by spending at least a portion of your time in Peru.

Colette Bourgonje - Holanda


My wish before i start my own company was traveling and learn spanish at South America for 6 months. I started for 3 months at Venezuela, than 1 month at Argentina and 6,5 weeks to Chile. My time at ECELA Spanish school in Argentina was fantastic. The school at Buenos Aires is nice and really clean. I took private classes, because i want to speak good spanish. The teachers are friendly and explaning good the spanish lenguage. So my spanish was getting better. During the breaks you meet a lot of nice people. So we did a lot of nice things after school. Also the school is fantastic with organizing things, like tango lessons, cooking empanadas, dancing at a bar or disco, etc. For me personally is this verry nice. I love to dance. Buenos Aires is a place with many neighborhoods, so much to see there at Recoleta, Palermo, Boca, etc. Don’t forget to eat meat at a real Argentina Restaurant. I love this city, i have still contacts with my friends that i meet there. I took at the ECELA Spanish school at Santiago For 2 weeks. The teachers are here friendly too! I learned a lot of spanish. Carlos, the activity coördinator is always organizing many things for us after our spanish classes, for the afternoons and the evenings. You can choose witch kind of activity you like and write your name on the blackboard of the activitys. He is the right person for this function. He is doing that so good!!! After my 2 weeks i did my voluntairy work at Teleton. Working with children that have phisically and mentally disabled problems. I worked at “the Arte” department. the month December with the Christmas Fear. We maked a lot of fun everyday with the children and their parents. My colleages where fantastic and friendly. I enjoyed my time at Teleton, they where happy that i came to help them. I still have contact with some people from there. If i come back to Chile, than i go back to see all the people again at Teleton and at Ecela! Muchas, muchas, muchas gracias todas las personas de Ecela a Argentina y Chile.

Cameron Kennedy - Escocia


La escuela de Bariloche es más pequeña de la escuela en Santiago. Las actividades tiene similaridades como Santiago: rafting; canopy; y otras que puede hacer en ambos países. Hay otras que son diferentes: hay más clases de bailar, hay más actividades en el aire libre - como treking y visitar los refugios en las montañas es muy interesante. En vez de visitar otras ciudades, como en Santiago (viajes a Viña o La Serena, por ejemplo), hay màs viajes en el àrea local, porque hay muchas lugares para ver en la regiòn. y disfrutar de todo. Las clases son muy buenas en Santiago y en Bariloche. Me gusto Mucho.

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