Where is the school located?
Veronica's San Juan del Sur Spanish School is located
near the "Supermercado Pali" on the main street of
San Juan del Sur (close to the entrace to the town). The school
used to be located at the Restaurante Lago Azul but now there
is a different Spanish school at that location.
Why should I study Spanish
in San Juan del Sur?
San Juan del Sur is one of the most beautiful towns
in Central America. It is right on the beach on Nicaragua's
pacific coast. There are countless nearby activities including
canopy tours, horseback riding, surfing, community service
opportunities, and many others! You can visit the San
Juan del Sur website for more information about this
great town. To view student testimonials, scroll down to
the bottom of our classes
page. Also, all proceeds from the school benefit local
children with disabilities -- please see our activities
page for more information and photos of some of the children.
What is the history behind the SSS School?
The SSS School is run by Verónica Castro, the former
director of the SJDS Nicaragua Spanish School (NSS). In January
of 2006 NSS closed all of its Spanish schools and has offered
its full
endorsement of SSS. The Director is Verónica
Castro, the former NSS SJDS school Director and teacher trainer.
Are the teachers at SSS specially
trained?
Yes! All teachers at SSS are skilled in working
with students of all levels. SSS teachers hold classes
entirely in Spanish
and use an interactive, conversationally-based method.
Your curriculum is tailored to your own needs and interests.
Students improve
their oral comprehension, speaking, and writing skills
through daily one-on-one classes. SSS teachers have an
excellent knowledge
of Spanish grammar and Nicaraguan history and culture.
Additionally, the school director, Veronica Castro, and
several of our teachers have been specially certified and
trained
in teaching
Spanish
as
a Foreign
Language.
How does the homestay program work?
SSS homestay families are within walking distance
from the school and will provide you with a private room
that you
can lock. The
homestay has proven to be one of the most popular aspects
of the SSS program – the families are very friendly
and try their best to make you feel at home. If you
have any special
needs, they can generally be accommodated by your homestay
family.
However, if for some reason you are unhappy with your
experience you can change homestays.
Is Nicaragua safe?
Nicaragua is one of the safest and friendliest countries
in Latin America. Students find Nicaraguans -- and especially
residents of San Juan del Sur -- to be very hospitable and
kind. As with most other Latin American countries, you should
always exercise caution when travelling.
Is there volunteer
work available?
Yes! Just ask at the school and they can get you
set up with a volunteer opportunity that meets your interests.
If you would
like to continue volunteering after you language program
ends, you can extend your homestay.
Is a visa required
to travel to Nicaragua?
People from nearly every country (including the
U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most European
countries)
do not need
a visa to enter Nicaragua. A tourist card can be purchased
upon arrival in Nicaragua for $5. For a list countries
whose citizens
must obtain a visa to enter the country, see: http://www.visitanicaragua.com/english/info/paisesvisa.html
Should
I get any special immunizations before my trip?
The US and most other countries do not require
any special immunizations to visit Nicaragua. For more
information, see the Center
for Disease Control.
To protect yourself against getting sick, you should
make sure your normal inoculations are up-to-date
and be careful what you
eat outside of your homestay.
What are the Nicaraguan
Holidays?
New Years Day, Catholic Holy Thursday or Good
Friday in March/April, May 1st, July 19th, August 1st,
August
10th, September 14th or
15th, and Christmas Day.
How do I find a
cheap flight to Nicaragua?
We recommend that you do comparison shopping for
flights into Managua using a site such as Kayak.com.
Although flights to Nicaragua can be slightly more expensive
than flights to other countries, the cost of living
while you are studying in San Juan del Sur is very
low.
Can you pick me up at the airport?
Yes! For an extra fee, you can arrange to be picked
up at the Managua airport and driven directly to
the school. You should plan
to arrive during the day if you want to take advantage of
our
chauffer
service.
Is there Internet access
in San Juan del Sur?
Yes there are a variety of Internet cafes that
offer computer, phone and fax services. There is also wireless
internet access at the school (students must use their
own laptop). If you have more specific questions please
contact us by
email.
How much money should I take
with me?
You do not need to bring a large amount of cash
with you since there are ATMs and four banks
in San
Juan del Sur.