Kim Knoester, from Grand Rapids, Michigan, is one of our students who joined our Bocas del Toro Spanish School last month (June 2015). We asked her a couple of questions and she was very kind to let us share her answers with you all. We hope they help you get a better idea about what it's like to study Spanish in Bocas del Toro!
So, here are the questions we asked Kim:
1. How did you find out about Habla Ya Spanish Schools in Panama?
I took quite a bit of time searching online for a good Spanish language school in Latin America. Habla Ya had a lot of wonderful reviews and seemed like a school that could offer me exactly the kind of learning environment that I wanted. I asked many questions before coming, for example, from if I would be able to safely run each day in Bocas, to if my host family would provide me with a key to their home. The girls really helped me out plan everything and get a good idea about what I was getting into.
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I was looking for a beach destination with a good program and Habla Ya Bocas immediately caught my eye. It did not disappoint.
2. When you first arrived to the island, Isla Colon, what was your first impression?
My first impression of Bocas was a lively, colorful place with people that seemed to really value their community. I arrived on a Sunday afternoon and as I made the short walk with Ludo, one of the staff from the Front Desk, from the airport to my house, upbeat music was booming in the streets while people of all ages were outside of their houses smiling, laughing, and engaging with one another.
3. How was your Spanish course? Any pros or cons?
It’s been excellent. I felt like Habla Ya placed me in an appropriate level and that they were excited and dedicated to helping me learn Spanish. My group classes were laid back, yet stimulating. And my private class gave me the opportunity to really reinforce grammar learned in my group class through one-on-one conversation. Both of my teachers have shown a lot of skill in meeting my needs while also pushing me to speak with more accuracy.
4. How has your overall experience been in the province of Bocas del Toro? If you were able to do some excursions, please recall your best experience.
There are so many great excursions to take advantage of here. One of my favorites was a private tour to Zapatilla Island. We did some snorkeling, saw interesting animals, then spent a relaxing day on an incredibly beautiful island.
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Bocas is about its beaches. If you love the beach, Bocas is the place for you to learn Spanish!
A program like this not only enables you to learn Spanish, but also to make new friends. I loved meeting people from all over the world.
5. Any last comments and/or advice you would like to extend to future students coming to study at our Bocas del Toro campus?
I really appreciated how easy it was to meet new people at Habla Ya. The school organizes activities every day of the week, which you can choose to do or not do during your time there. The atmosphere at the school is always really laid back, positive, and welcoming. And if you really want to improve your Spanish as most as you can, go for a Spanish Immersion Program. I had the opportunity to live 3 weeks with a local host family at the beginning of my program, which was great for my Spanish and to get a real feel of Bocas, and the other 3 weeks I stayed in private room at a budget hostel as I also felt like I wanted to end my program with the feeling of being on vacation, and Habla Ya was also great at setting this up prior to arrival and making it happen...
The Weekly Panamanian Dinners are a great opportunity to meet fellow students, hang out with the teachers, practice your Spanish and share some local beer!
¡MUCHAS GRACIAS Kim, por tomarte el tiempo de contarnos sobre tu experiencia en Habla Ya Bocas del Toro!
LEARN MORE ABOUT LEARNING SPANISH IN BOCAS DEL TORO... »