Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Estudio Sampere?
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.
2. Who can participate?
This program 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 if accompanied by an adult chaperone.
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 this spring, 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.
The SALUD program is designed specifically for those at an intermediate or advanced level. If you aren't sure if you would be considered intermediate, reach out to us. We can chat with you and help you determine if SALUD is a good fit for you at this time. We are also happy to provide a comprehensive list of language-learning resources that can help bolster your language skills if you're relatively new to Spanish or if it's been a while since you practiced.
3. 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.
4. Where will students stay?
Each participant will live for three weeks with a family in Cuenca. Homestays are typically within a 20-minute walk from the Sampere school, or one may choose to travel by bus for $0.25. Sampere works closely with host families and is committed to making the homestay a positive experience for both the students and their hosts.
5. 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.
6. Who are the coordinators?
Jeff and Diana Brant are the trip's coordinators. They led a group of fourteen SANAS participants to Cuenca in the summer of 2022. Jeff has taught for 35 years, 24 of them as a Spanish teacher at Windsor High School. He has lived and traveled abroad, and has chaperoned student travel as well. He visited Cuenca in the summer of 2019 and fell in love with the city! Diana has taught high school Spanish for 13 years with a pause when her and Jeff's children were younger. She has spent several weeks in Ecuador previously and has traveled extensively in Latin America. Their two sons, David (6) and Thomas (5), are also learning Spanish and are looking forward to an adventure in Cuenca. Both coordinators are excited about this incredible learning opportunity.
7. 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.
8. What happens if there’s an emergency?
In addition to Jeff and Diana mentioned above, the Sampere program director and his associates will serve as emergency contacts during the trip. One of the trip costs is travel medical insurance to protect you in the event of medical or travel necessity.
9. 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 Ecuadorian families. Students will be placed two per family, each with his or her own room.
10. Do US cell phones work in Ecuador?
They do, but you are likely to pay hefty charges for using it there. Contact your cell carrier for specifics. 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.
11. How do I get my passport?
Visit this website.
12. What are the rules for participants?
The guidelines for this program are very simple:
a. Participate in the program (unless you’re sick, in which case you need to notify a coordinator). 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 Ecuador.
13. What do I need to bring?
In addition to your passport, you'll want layered clothes, two pairs of shoes, a water-resistant or waterproof warm jacket, and a bathing suit for the hot springs. 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.
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.
2. Who can participate?
This program 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 if accompanied by an adult chaperone.
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 this spring, 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.
The SALUD program is designed specifically for those at an intermediate or advanced level. If you aren't sure if you would be considered intermediate, reach out to us. We can chat with you and help you determine if SALUD is a good fit for you at this time. We are also happy to provide a comprehensive list of language-learning resources that can help bolster your language skills if you're relatively new to Spanish or if it's been a while since you practiced.
3. 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.
4. Where will students stay?
Each participant will live for three weeks with a family in Cuenca. Homestays are typically within a 20-minute walk from the Sampere school, or one may choose to travel by bus for $0.25. Sampere works closely with host families and is committed to making the homestay a positive experience for both the students and their hosts.
5. 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.
6. Who are the coordinators?
Jeff and Diana Brant are the trip's coordinators. They led a group of fourteen SANAS participants to Cuenca in the summer of 2022. Jeff has taught for 35 years, 24 of them as a Spanish teacher at Windsor High School. He has lived and traveled abroad, and has chaperoned student travel as well. He visited Cuenca in the summer of 2019 and fell in love with the city! Diana has taught high school Spanish for 13 years with a pause when her and Jeff's children were younger. She has spent several weeks in Ecuador previously and has traveled extensively in Latin America. Their two sons, David (6) and Thomas (5), are also learning Spanish and are looking forward to an adventure in Cuenca. Both coordinators are excited about this incredible learning opportunity.
7. 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.
8. What happens if there’s an emergency?
In addition to Jeff and Diana mentioned above, the Sampere program director and his associates will serve as emergency contacts during the trip. One of the trip costs is travel medical insurance to protect you in the event of medical or travel necessity.
9. 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 Ecuadorian families. Students will be placed two per family, each with his or her own room.
10. Do US cell phones work in Ecuador?
They do, but you are likely to pay hefty charges for using it there. Contact your cell carrier for specifics. 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.
11. How do I get my passport?
Visit this website.
12. What are the rules for participants?
The guidelines for this program are very simple:
a. Participate in the program (unless you’re sick, in which case you need to notify a coordinator). 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 Ecuador.
13. What do I need to bring?
In addition to your passport, you'll want layered clothes, two pairs of shoes, a water-resistant or waterproof warm jacket, and a bathing suit for the hot springs. 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.
