Spanish Study Abroad

An Excellent Experience with Spanish Express I have had a wonderful experience with Spanish Express, and I would highly recommend the program, particularly to people in a similar situation to mine. I am 58 years old, recently partially retired, and an English speaker. Before joining the program, I had spent about a year studying Spanish by myself, mainly through self-study, but had virtually no experience speaking the language with other people. When I first arrived in Barcelona, I could barely speak any Spanish at all. It was literally my first experience having real conversations in Spanish. After four weeks with Spanish Express, however, I was genuinely surprised by how much progress I had made. I was able to have simple conversations with my Spanish hosts and, more importantly, with ordinary Spanish people in everyday situations. In Barcelona, I had formal lessons with Monica and Laura, both of whom were excellent. Laura helped me enormously with my pronunciation, correcting some of the habits I had developed from speaking English, while also strengthening my understanding of the basics. Monica introduced me to Barcelona’s culture through various excursions and visits, including a wonderful flamenco experience. These activities made learning Spanish much more enjoyable and gave me a deeper appreciation of Spanish culture. I then continued my experience in Valencia, where I stayed with my teacher, Pilar. She was absolutely amazing. Not only did we have plenty of formal lessons, but we also went on numerous excursions and spent a lot of time talking together in Spanish. This was particularly valuable because I was able to learn so many practical, everyday words and expressions that you simply don’t get from textbooks. Pilar was incredibly kind, patient and accommodating throughout my stay. She went out of her way to make sure all my needs were taken care of, and I always felt very welcome in her home. Her children were also lovely and a pleasure to spend time with. The whole homestay experience was genuinely special. Looking back, I feel that the combination of formal lessons, everyday conversations, cultural activities and living with Spanish-speaking teachers has made a tremendous difference. My grammar has improved considerably, and I have gone from being almost unable to speak to being able to hold simple conversations in Spanish. For someone starting from a very basic level later in life, this has been an extremely rewarding experience. It has given me both practical skills and, importantly, the confidence to continue learning and speaking Spanish. A big thank you to Monica, Laura and especially Pilar for making this such a memorable experience. I am very glad I chose Spanish Express!

I had the best week studying at Maximo Nivel in Cusco! My teacher was very patient, had a great method of teaching and I learned a lot during my time! Staying with a family allowed me to practice what I was studying in class

I stayed at BLAU for 8 days and honestly had such a great time! I originally chose it for the location and facilities, especially the gym, cinema room and games area. The Spanish classes were a bonus, but I ended up getting so much more out of the experience than I expected. The accommodation was great, the atmosphere was super welcoming and the staff were always lovely and helpful. Having someone available 24/7 was also a huge plus and made everything feel easier and more comfortable. I attended B1 Spanish classes with two amazing teachers who made everyone feel at ease. The classes were super relaxed and friendly, and I never felt embarrassed to speak up or make mistakes. There was always something fun happening too! Yoga, a ping-pong tournament, a Halloween party, a Squid Game-themed party and even tarot readings with friends. It was so easy to meet people and feel part of the community. But my favourite part was definitely the people. In just 8 days, I made friendships that have lasted well beyond Barcelona. Some of my friends have already visited me in Portugal, and we've made so many more plans together, some already turned into memories and others still to come! Leaving didn't really feel like goodbye because I knew we'd see each other again, and that I'd be back too. I chose BLAU for the location and facilities, but I'd go back for the people. ❤️

My partner and I attended 3 days of private language classes before traveling across Guatemala, and I'm so glad we did. My teacher was really kind, patient, and thorough, and the whole team were very professional. Joining the cooking class was an unexpected extra and a really lovely thing to participate in.

I did a four week intermediate Spanish course at the Maximo Nivel school in Quepos/Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica and loved it! The facility is beautiful and the instructors were amazing...smart, curious, patient and they knew how to teach. I learned so much, and my confidence in speaking Spanish has grown immensely. And yes, the facility really does have a pool.

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!

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.

Absolutely brilliant: Excellent profesor within a great school. Very helpful with my whole stay in Quito and helped to progress my Spanish at a very fast rate. The administration was extremely helpful and efficient.

Estoy contento con todo: las clases de la maestra, el ambiente de la escuela, la ubicación de mi "homestay". Toda la gente aquí era muy amable y me ayuda cuando le necesita. Participé en la actividad de probar comida callejera y era muy divertida y bien organizada. La administración fue bien organizada y me gusta los cafés y los refrigerios durante las pausas. La escuela esta bien ubicada en uno de mis barrios favoritos, limpio y tiene un jardín bonito

I had an amazing time in the Ibero Spanish Course. I wish I had more time to continue for longer. I feel in just 2 weeks my Spanish improved dramatically and that's thanks to the great teachers I had in Sebastian and Luciana! They were both very engaging and made me feel comfortable in the learning experience. I am grateful for their teachings. Being able to stay at the school accomodation was great as well. I was lucky enough to have a private room so being able to have my own space was very important to me. I recommend this experience to anyone looking to improve their Spanish :)

I had a great week of private classes and cultural immersion throughout jalisco and nayarit. I splurged for a few extras, but know I got the best price. I did one fishing trip and a couple of massages. I felt like it was really welcomed into the community.

I never imagined I'd feel so at home in a place thousands of miles away! From the relaxed pace of life to the incredible hospitality of the locals, Mexico completely won me over. One of my favorite things was discovering all the little places around Cuernavaca that I would never have found on my own. There was always something interesting happening, whether it was a spontaneous outing, a delicious meal or simply enjoying an afternoon together. Iguana Abroad has created something really special here, and the personal touch makes all the difference. It's a fantastic way to experience a side of Mexico that most tourists never get to see.

Best summer of my life, can't thank the two Harry's and Fabi enough they really made this one so so special. Made some amazing friends I’ll stay in touch with forever, memories I'll keep forever, and my Spanish has improved a lot too... what else could I ask for?? Mexico is such a beautiful country, and Cuernavaca really impressed me as well. Would so much love to come back again! The food, the trips and all the incredible laughs made every day so unforgettable. Just loved experiencing Mexican culture and practising Spanish outside the classroom !

Really excellent course and exceeded my expectations. My host family were genuinely lovely people, the school was beautiful as well, the campus really impressed me. Cuernavaca is a really special place, and it was a pleasure getting to explore the beautiful surrounding area on the trips and events I did. There were a lot of memorable moments, but probably the highlight for me was playing chess in mornings at the school campus with my teacher Sebas. Would definitely recommend and hopefully I'll be able to return as well one day!!

If you're looking for a typical language school, this probably isn't it - and that's a good thing! Iguana Abroad seriously gave me the chance to actually experience Mexico - while learning Spanish... and Semana Santa was unlike anything I've ever seen. Incredible. Before arriving I was nervous about travelling alone, which I've done before but a long time ago, but within a day everyone felt like family. Everybody said the same - it's one of Iguana Abroad's amazing strengths as a course. My host family made me feel so welcome, and my teachers were so patient, encouraging and genuinely cared about helping me improve my Spanish. For me the highlight was visiting Ocotepec during Good Friday to see the Viacrucis parade. I'd never experienced anything like it before - if you are reading this - you need to see it! We also visited Tetela del Volcán on Easter Sunday. The streets were just filled with music, dancing, the incredible Chinelos costumes. It felt like we were experiencing traditions that most tourists never even hear about. I don't think I'd heard about "Semana Santa" until honestly recently. The cooking class, local markets, cultural workshops and excursions all helped us understand Mexico beyond what you could ever learn from a guidebook. An amazing course in an amazing country during an amazing time!

Joining the Iguana Abroad easter course was honestly great luck for me. I'd been travelling around Mexico for almost 2 months and was starting to feel really quite down and frustrated about my level of Spanish. I kept on feeling embarrassed when trying to talk to people, eventually shying away from conversations, and basically thinking, this is probably not going to be the trip I'd been getting ready for and dreaming about for so long. After spending a long time studying Spanish I started thinking I'd never learn. I actually arrived to Tepoztlán (about 30 minutes from Cuernavaca) less than a week before the course started, and knew nothing about it until someone in the hostel I was staying at mentioned it. I honestly wasn't planning on doing a course in Mexico, but after reading the reviews and talking with the guys who run the course, I signed up, and I am so glad I did. My main reason for joining was really about learning some Spanish. My plans were to spend the next few months in Latin America, but I didn't want to if I couldn't properly talk with anybody. Just two weeks with Iguana Abroad changed all of that, and I left speaking a far better level of Spanish. And more than that, I wasn't even aware that easter (Semana Santa) was such a big thing in Mexico, so that really blew my mind as well. Seeing the way it is celebrated in Mexico was fascinating, beautiful, and a lot of fun. Without question, this was the best part of my time in Mexico. Can't recommend it enough - and especially joining over Semana Santa.