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Looking for Advice on Spanish Lessons and Lodging

Hello. I am new to the site and was hoping some of the experienced people could impart some of their wisdom. I am planning to study Spanish for several weeks during a two month trip to Colombia starting next month. I am a beginner at Spanish, and I have read about some schools that have intensive programs that include (for example) four hours of instruction each morning.

I was thinking of staying/studying in Bogota and Cartagena, but Medellin also seems like a good town to visit. Does anyone have any recommendations on a good way to organize this trip? Should I try to do all my studying in one town (which one?), and do side trips to other places? Or maybe spend 2-3 weeks in each large city?

Any language school recommendations? I know that NuevaLengua has classes right near the old town in Cartagena in a great location, but their campus is kind of out of the way in Bogota, and I am not sure about Medellin. It would be nice for the classes to be where I want to stay if I will be going to the classroom every morning.

Any other advice for a first-timer to Colombia would be greatly appreciated. I am 37, from San Francisco, traveling alone.

Thanks!

John

By SFJohn on Jun 22, 2007, 00:09 in Friendly Talkzone.

markiev says on Jun 22, 2007, 01:31:

I've been to all three cities and lived in Medellin for two months taking spanish classes at Eafit university. Medellin by far has the best climate and the surrounding countryside of antioquia is incredibly beautiful(as are the ladies).....I've been travelling to Cartagena for the last 12 years and can say I could not live with the costenos, the climate, the disorganization of the city and all the "paquetes chilenos" that are thrown at the foreigh traveller. It's a great ciy to visit for a couple of weeks in my opinion....Bogota is a very big city that has many universities to choos from..If I recall, Nueva Legua charged an arm and a leg for tuition. I actually went to one of their classes in Medellin and that made me decide to choose eafit instead....I'd say bogota is your best bet. You can choose private and/or public universities..Do a search and you should be able to finds some threads on this topic....Remember, Bogota has the transmileno, an above ground metro system that is very efficient and cheap......Let me know if I can be of any more help....Markitos

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jun 22, 2007, 11:03:

John,,,,there is a BayArea Meetup on Friday, June 29 at the El Majahual restaurant 1142 Valencia street where about 12 or so PBHers, Cblog members, and MeetUp people will be getting together about 7-730ish for dinner and drinks....email me at miguelclavo (at) aol.com if you want more information...

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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Miguel_Clavo says on Jun 22, 2007, 11:06:

you can click on my PBH handle, click on my posts, and a list of all my threads, including the MeetUp threads will be displayed.....a really cool feature! nice job, Peter!!!!!!!!!!!

"I would rather die living life, than to live a dying life."........ Oh, and my PM is always ON. Great Bumper Sticker: "Home of the Free, Because of the Brave"

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markiev says on Jun 24, 2007, 03:53:

I just realized I have that night off from work because the wife is taking her TOEFL test...I'm not sure what time she finishes but if it is early enough we'll head up there for some arepas and an augila(or two)..

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