Language Programs

I heard about Iguana Abroad through a friend a few years ago who couldn't recommend the experience highly enough. Life got in the way for a while, but this year me and my partner finally had the opportunity to join. And it was truly amazing. The team made us feel so so welcome from the very beginning, and there was an honest perfect balance of learning, the cultural experiences, excursions and time spent together as a group, and also time to relax and take it all in. We came away with wonderful memories, new long lasting friendships and an even greater appreciation for Mexican culture. Thank you for such a special experience guys - hopefully we can join you again sometime in the future!

I’ve always been so fascinated with other cultures and especially with Day of the Dead and Mexico, ever since I was young, and it’s always been a bit of a dream of mine to experience it one year… and that year was this year! And I’m so happy and grateful that I did. It honestly exceeded all my craziest expectations - the amazing colors and sounds and smells and flavors - it has to be one of the most unique festivals in the world. There’s something incredibly special about experiencing Day of the Dead in Mexico, where it isn't only a festival or a just some tourist attraction, but actually deeply rooted in the culture, history and everyday lives of the people. Seeing the ofrendas, the decorations, the cemeteries, the flowers and the celebrations everywhere was honestly just wonderful. And, I should also so, it made it even more special experiencing it through Iguana Abroad. Rather than just seeing things as a visitor, we had the opportunity to learn about the traditions, understand their significance and really immerse ourselves in the culture. Every activity, every experience and every little detail added something to the experience. It was one of those experiences that I'll remember for the rest of my life, and I'm incredibly grateful to everyone at Iguana Abroad for making a lifelong dream come true. I couldn't have asked for a better way to experience such a beautiful and fascinating part of Mexican culture.

My daughter and I had a wonderful time in Mexico on the Iguana Abroad Spanish immersion course. My daughter loves Coco and she was in paradise! Day of the Dead was the perfect time to visit Mexico. The streets were so colorful, and there were wonderful spooky decorations all over Cuernavaca. The city really came to life for the celebrations - it was spectacular. We felt that the course was perfect for our level, and the organizers really took care to make sure we both felt safe and comfortable at all times. As we don’t eat meat or fish, it was sometimes a little tricky with the food, but Cuernavaca has a lot of great options if you venture a little farther from the main plaza. The vegetarian options for lunch on the course were very much appreciated too! The course was well designed, and we both felt it was a meaningful and magical experience. If you only get one chance to visit Mexico, I would definitely recommend coming for Day of the Dead - and experiencing it with Iguana Abroad made it even more special.

As a third generation Mexican American who has sadly lost touch with my Mexican heritage this course was a dream come true. I always hoped I could one day go back to Mexico and reconnect with my grandmother's culture and the family she left behind and the Iguana Abroad Spanish course was a perfect way to do it. I had such a fantastic experience learning Spanish on the course, as well as trying the incredible food, enjoying the music and experiencing the local traditions of Cuernavaca. Mexico was more vibrant and more of a culture shock than I was imagining, but with the immersion program providing some structure to the days and weeks it became such an incredibly rewarding experience. One thing that I loved about being in Mexico during Day of the Dead was how much of a personal and intimate experience it was. We had the honor of visiting several Mexican families who were celebrating and honoring the lives of their loved ones and it was an indescribably moving and unforgettable experience. Being able to take part in those celebrations with the local people of Cuernavaca and experience the festival alongside them was something that I will hold with me forever.

I loved visiting Mexico during Day of the Dead! The course was a combination of a Spanish course and a cultural tour, with many different options to explore the city and make the most of the Day of the Dead celebrations in Cuernavaca. There were Spanish lessons and cultural activities, a skull painting workshop, a trip to a cemetery and a traditional Day of the Dead parade in the city centre. We also took part in excursions to Ocotepec and Tepoztlan, as well as museum visits and other activities. I loved every moment. Thank you to the organizers of Iguana Abroad for making this experience so special!

I had a wonderful experience studying Mandarin at the Suzhou school. Their teaching methods are well-structured, organized, and easy to follow, while still allowing lessons to be tailored to my personal interests and learning needs. The location is peaceful and orderly. The teachers are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they bring a lot of youthful energy and genuine passion to their teaching. Overall, I had a very pleasant and rewarding experience, and I would highly recommend this school to anyone interested in learning Mandarin!

Sending my 15-year-old daughter to China for a month was honestly one of the hardest decisions I've had to make as a parent. She’s adventurous, but I was a nervous wreck about the language barrier, the food, and just her being so far away. From the moment she landed, the GAC team proved me wrong. They didn't just hand her off to a host family and disappear. The local coordinators checked in with her (and me!) regularly. Her host family in Beijing was an absolute blessing. The "mama" of the house treated her like her own granddaughter—she even learned how to make hand-pulled noodles from scratch. The program itself struck a great balance. She had Mandarin classes in the morning, but the afternoons were spent actually doing things—calligraphy, exploring the hutongs, and visiting local high schools. It was incredible to see her actually using the language instead of just memorizing vocabulary. She came home different. More independent, way more confident, and constantly talking about the friends she made from all over the world. If you are a parent sitting on the fence, scared to let your kid go, I completely understand. But this program was worth every single penny.

Been taking group Chinese classes at LTL Taipei for two weeks so far, and currently loving it so far! The environment at the school is very warm and encouraging. Teacher Anqi Zhang has pushed us to speak Mandarin with each other, and helped us with vocabulary to use in daily life. Riona and Alin have been very welcoming and helpful with answering questions. Sunny has done a fantastic job organizing lunches and social events, and Greta has been very quick to respond to my emails. The school is very well run both administratively and in the classroom, and I can’t recommend it enough!

LTL Language School responded to this reviewNovember 03, 2026

Two great weeks and more to come! Thanks for your pleasant words, Theodore. We're enjoying having you here likewise :) Keep it up. LTL Team

I had a great time with Meiji and the instructors made a significant contribution to it. Classes were informative and the structured learning approach for grammar, speaking, listening and Kanji studies was good. Sometimes I felt a bit of struggle to catch up with the Kanji volume but you can always ask the teachers or for additional Kanji exceises. The city tour was a lot of fun and definitely helped me to get around Kyoto for the first few days. Hope to visit Kyoto again soon😁

From my first contact up to graduating this week my study experience with Meiji was good. Japanese classes, cultural activities and staff support were very hands on. My sharehouse was also good and I made a lot of friends during my time there.

As someone balancing business goals with general communication, the customized curriculum at That's Mandarin Hangzhou was exact to my needs. The small group setup allowed for plenty of individual speaking time and immediate feedback. The location is conveniently connected to public transit, making exploring West Lake after class extremely easy. Highly recommended for any serious learner!

Hangzhou is such a captivating city, and That’s Mandarin captures its unique identity perfectly. Morning grammar and conversation classes were engaging and practical, while afternoon cultural activities like visiting Longjing tea villages and silk museums brought our lessons to life. The staff creates a warm, family-like atmosphere that makes international students feel right at home.

The team at the Hangzhou campus goes above and beyond! From organizing my comfortable accommodation to setting up local payment apps, their support made settling into China completely seamless. The 1-on-1 language classes were perfectly tailored to my pace, and using the Nihao Cafe app allowed me to review all my custom lesson notes anytime. My speaking skills improved drastically in just one month!

Studying at That’s Mandarin Hangzhou was a fantastic decision! The campus facilities are super modern, comfortable, and welcoming. Spending breaks at their integrated Nihao Cafe while chatting with teachers and fellow students made practicing Chinese feel natural and fun.

I went from struggling with basic HSK 1 grammar to comfortably having everyday conversations in under two months! The communicative teaching approach focuses heavily on real-life application rather than dry textbook memorization.

10/10！！The morning language classes were engaging, interactive, and tailored to beginner levels. The afternoon cultural activities and tech excursions kept the students constantly excited and engaged.

I enjoyed my course so much! The teachers, Jamie and Anne, were very good. Clear, knowledgable, fun, and taught us Mandarin that would be relevant in day-to-day life. I have definitely learnt a lot in just two weeks. It has been very useful for me as I continue my travels around China. The school brings together such a variety of interesting people. Social activities were also fun - including Tai Chi, dumpling making, Majong, lunches, and game nights! Highly recommend this course!!!

LTL Language School responded to this reviewNovember 01, 2026

Thanks so much for your lovely words about your time in Shanghai :) It was a pleasure to have you with us, Eva :) Come back some day! LTL Team

4 weeks in Cusco, Peru and I had the time of my life. It was organized, fun, and incredibly educational. Office was accommodating and helpful with finding the best times suitable for me and partnering me with great teachers to learn Spanish quickly and effectively.

Finished my two weeks of learning Chinese today. I’m writing this review at a bar in Chengdu where I managed to exchange a couple of words with some other bar goers. Definitely was not expecting it when I landed to start the course. Two weeks really flew by and I cannot but suggest LTL Chengdu to everyone who wants to learn this amazing language. The program is well structured and follows the HSK levels, but in the end it really gets tailored to what you want or need. Big thanks to my teacher Stiles, teacher Ying, Ilaria and Giulia for the support during my stay. 马飞叔叔 out 😎

LTL Language School responded to this reviewNovember 01, 2026

Two weeks just flies by! Thanks for your lovely review and we're happy you enjoyed classes and the social life :) LTL Team

The platform NihaoCafe bring listening, speaking, reading and writing resources together in one place, something I have struggled to find elsewhere. Two months of classes in Beijing have delivered clear progress, as teachers blend professional instruction with a fun, lively style that makes every lesson feel like an adventure. Highly recommended.