Spanish
Accomodations
Letters

Published April 2002

Hi,

Do you know if it is possible to do a homestay with a family if you are not going to attend a language school? We are going to Cuernavaca this summer for a month and would like to do this.

Thanks, Colleen

Lorena Replies,

I don't know of any program in Cuernavaca that arranges homestays not connected with a language school. It takes a lot of effort to make and maintain these contacts. In fact, there are only a couple places I've heard of this being done, one in the Yucatan and one in Belize, though I no longer have any information on these.

Perhaps one of the language schools would help you.. Or perhaps you might reconsider and study for a week to give your Spanish a boost.

My favorite school in Cuernavaca is Encuentros. You can check them out on our website at Encuentros. I'm also Ccing this reply to Jeannie at Encuentros -- let's see what she can do to help you out.

Best of luck and please let us know what you're able to work out.

Jeannie responds:

Lorena of People's Guide forwarded your email. I am from ENCUENTROS, the school she mentions in Cuernavaca. I have many many great homestays that have enlisted with us, but which are located simply too far from us to interest our students, most of whom prefer within walking distance.

I would be happy to make arrangements for you to stay with one of our families who I do not send many students to - there are lots of really good ones who I am sure could have you for the month. Go to our website and fill out an application for you and your husband, but BE SURE to make it clear that you are not enrolling in classes to avoid confusion. In addition to the site's questions, please answer the following:

1. Would you prefer a large or a small family?
2. How do you feel about pets? Small children?
3. Any allergies or food preferences?
4. What do you do for a living?
5. What do you do for fun?
6. Anything else you can tell us to narrow down the options?

Once you answer these questions we will send you three family descriptions for you to choose from. We will send you the name and address of your selection and have someone from the homestay get you at the bus station where the airport shuttle arrives in Cuernavaca. For this we need to know your flight information.

Sincerely, Jeannie Andersen; ENCUENTROS immersion Spanish; Calle Morelos 36; Col. Acapantzingo; CP 62440; Cuernavaca, Morelos, MEXICO; tel/fax: (011 52 7) 3 12 50 88 tel: (011 52 7) 3 12 98 00; email: encuentros@learnspanishinmexico.com; website: www.learnspanishinmexico.com "Speaking Spanish is the Key to Mastering It"