My First Homestay: Granada Nicaragua

#2 My First Homestay in Nicaragua

I can remember my first homestay like it was yesterday. I traveled to Granada, Nicaragua from Costa Rica to study Spanish at a local language school for two weeks.  I hoped to rapidly improve my poor Spanish! Granada is a beautiful colonial-era town with a rich cultural history. I remember walking its stone-cobbled streets, gazing at the colonial-era architecture, and hearing the rhythmic street music sounding from the street market. 

I was happy, excited, and yes a little nervous all at once! I had never been to Nicaragua and yeah, I couldn’t speak Spanish, except for a few basic phrases and words—Donde está el bano?, Como se dice?, aqui, sí, no, etc…

My school offered me a peculiar housing option—a homestay! I nervously accepted the homestay because I wanted many opportunities practice Spanish during the brief time. I was placed with la familia de Maria, a single mom with a large family and simple house located near the beautiful La Merced Catholic Church. Maria and her family welcomed me with open arms, providing me all I needed—a simple furnished room with a fan, basic linens, and delicious Nicaraguan food!

A typical day consisted of breakfast with the family, four hours of Spanish class, a prepared dinner, and evening conversation with the family. Each day, I could hear my Spanish improving and consequently, my self-confidence in the language. My caring family patiently listened as I struggle through basic Spanish while occasional providing me the necessary corrections or choice word when needed! Most evenings, the family would engage me in daily conversation over dinner. I even played a little guitar and sang with the family! It was exactly what I needed! During my free time, I visited dance clubs, museums, street markets, and nearby nature reserves.  I danced salsa, drank some good Nicaraguan beer, ate street food (and got food poisoning once!), climbed a volcano, and yes, even discussed election year politics.  The language school and homestay provided the ideal, friendly environment for me to learn Spanish and Nicaraguan culture.  Was I fluent in Spanish after two weeks? —Of course not! However, my Spanish skills and confidence increased more in two weeks than it had in the previous two weeks staying alone in a Costa Rican hotel! My Nicaraguan homestay experience sparked my love for the homestay. For subsequent trips to Mexico and Nicaragua, I stayed in homestays. I don’t regret my experience! I know you enjoy yours!  

Find a Homestay Today!