FAQ

Who can participate?
We have two program types: one is designed for adults 18+ from any part of the United States or Canada who have, at minimum, a foundational/basic proficiency in Spanish. (Equivalent to one semester of college coursework; if it’s been a while, we have lots of resources to help you brush up.) Minors (under 18) are welcome to participate in these adult groups if accompanied by an adult chaperone. 

Additionally, we offer group trips for high school students who travel with a teacher chaperone. If you are a teacher who would like to get more information about leading a group, or a student who would like to join an existing high school travel group, please contact us. 

Our SANAS program accommodates learners from beginner to advanced, but we do find that some Spanish exposure prior to the trip benefits learning. If you have no prior experience with Spanish, consider taking a class at your local community college, or reach out to us for a comprehensive list of language-learning resources that can help build a foundation for your immersive language learning experience.

What will students learn?
Prior to beginning classes, participants will be sorted into classes based on their current level of Spanish. In these small groups, students will study Spanish grammar, vocabulary, and conversation over the course of 3 weeks. They will also improve their speaking skills daily by living with Spanish-speaking families in homestays. More than anything, participants will be immersed in a different way of life. 

Where will students stay?
Each participant will have the choice to live with either a host family or in an apartment or dorm. Homestays are typically within 20 minutes by walking or public transport from the Sampere school. Sampere works closely with host families and is committed to making the homestay a positive experience for both the students and their hosts.

Who are the trip leaders?
Each group of participants is led by an on-site leader who is there to make sure everything runs smoothly– that you are placed in the correct language class, that your homestay is a good fit, that you know where and when to meet up for excursions, and more. He or she is your go-to person for all questions and concerns once you arrive at the destination. 

Trip leader Madison Rubino is a Spanish teacher from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She fell in love with the Spanish language at a young age and has a passion for travel. She has experience traveling in Latin America, having traveled to Ecuador 3 times along with other countries. Madison spent 6 weeks in Cuenca during the summer of 2023 with a Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad. 

Jeff and Diana Brant are also trip leaders. Jeff has taught for 37 years, 25 of them as a Spanish teacher at Windsor High School. He has lived and traveled abroad, and has chaperoned student travel as well. Diana taught high school Spanish for 14 years, but now works at the bilingual school where their children attend. She has traveled extensively in Latin America, and in 2003 she lived with an Ecuadorean family in a homestay for several weeks. Their two sons, David (9) and Thomas (8), are also learning Spanish and always look forward to another adventure in Spain or South America.

What is Estudio Sampere? 
Estudio Sampere is the school we partner with to provide Spanish language lessons with native speakers. Alberto and Isabel Sampere pioneered Spanish language teaching in the 1950s and established the first Estudio Sampere in Madrid in 1956. The Sampere family has been running this independent school focusing on quality Spanish courses for 60 years now. In the 21st Century, the third Sampere generation is working to offer the best options to study Spanish in Spain and Latin America.

Estudio Sampere is accredited by the International Association of Language Centres, Instituto Cervantes, the American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, and the Spanish Federation of Schools of Spanish as a Foreign Language. 

Can significant others come too?
Yes!  Cost for the significant other would be significantly less. A homestay might even be possible if you want to improve your Spanish while you’re there too. Please speak to us about it if you think he or she would like to come. 

What happens if there’s an emergency? 
In addition to your on-site leader mentioned above, the Sampere program director and his associates will serve as emergency contacts during the trip. Additionally, you’ll notice that one of the trip costs is travel medical insurance; this is intended to protect you in the event of medical necessity. 

How are host families chosen? 
In the spring, participants will take a survey of their dietary needs, allergies, and other lifestyle preferences. Participants’ responses will be used to pair students with the most compatible families. Students will be placed two per family, each with his or her own room.

Do US cell phones work in Ecuador/Spain?
They do, but you may pay hefty charges for using it there.  You may opt to bring a an inexpensive used phone to set up for the month upon arrival, or opt to rely on WiFi (very accessible) and the wifi-based WhatsApp for communication with home. Verizon does offer a monthly international plan, and T-Mobile includes free messaging and data in both countries; contact your carrier for specifics about what international options they offer. 

How do I get my passport? 
Visit this website. Be sure your passport will be valid for 3 months (Spain) or 6 months (Ecuador) past your planned departure date, or begin the process of renewal as soon as possible. 

What are the expectations for participants?
a. Participate in the program (unless you’re sick, in which case you need to notify your leader). This includes courses and excursions.
b. Follow all household rules provided by host family regarding cleanliness, meals, etc. 
c. Participants must abide by the laws of both the United States and the host country.

What do I need to bring?
In addition to your passport, you’ll want a week’s worth of layered clothing, two pairs of shoes, a water-resistant or waterproof warm jacket (Ecuador only), and a bathing suit. You may consider bringing a gift for your host family (we can help you with ideas when we know your family’s details) and/or for your teachers at the Estudio Sampere. 

What is Cuenca like?
Cuenca is a city of approximately 400,000 people located in the Andes mountains of Ecuador. The city’s elevation is approximately 8,400 feet. Cuenca is known for its textile making, as well as furniture and other crafts like hats and shoes. Cuenca also exports flowers to the United States and many countries in Europe. The straw hats known around the world as “Panama Hats” are in fact made in Cuenca by local artisans. It is a very reasonably priced city, with restaurant meals available for as little as $2-$3 dollars. Cuenca is also very safe.  As in any city with a half a million people, travelers need to be vigilant with their cell phones and other valuables. The city is rich in history and culture, with festivals, farmers markets, cathedrals and many large parks to explore. 

What if I want to participate but the dates don’t work for me? 
Visit this page to request a custom itinerary and price quote for a trip that is uniquely yours.