I studied for 5 months in Xela about a dozen years ago....exclusively at Celas Maya. My wife, coincidentally, was a foreign exchange student there a number of years earlier. We've both been back since but not for about 6 or 7 years. Is Xela still really nice, friendly, safe, fun, etc?
How is the situation at the schools? Are they busy and doing well? We would be most interested in hearing from people who either are there or have been there recently. Thank you!!
I was in Xela a few years ago - maybe 5. There was, ad I believe still is a bunch of Spanish schools. It's still nice and tourist friendly. I remember feeling a little more cautious and endangered on the outskirts though when I took a solo bike trip - nothing too scary, just a little isolated.
I think it should be fine.
Interesting! I'm not planning on going back but it seems like the forum activity regarding the schools is considerably less than it was a number of years ago. I think most of the schools are still there but I wondered if their business is good. When I was there, Celas Maya had more students than they had ever had before. My wife went to a wedding in Xela a few years back and the family (that has lived there for generations) were alarmed about some of the changes that were going on.
My wife's "adopted" familia lamented that Xela has been experiencing a noticeable increase in violent crimes, whereas, in the past, it was almost unheard of there. These people have lived in Xela for 3 generations, that I know of, and know what they're talking about. When I was in Guatemala the first time, I got bad vibes in Guate' City and almost never rode on a public bus when I didn't see some kind of problem. But....during the same period, I don't recall anything but passive crime in Xela (such as leaving something unattended and having it immediately stolen). I was much more curious about how the school situation is now since it was so active and vibrant when I was there. I just mentioned the crime 'angle' because I suspect there is a correlation although I have zero interest in the crime there, per se'. I'm in Bangkok these days and you can't see Guatemala from my place.
OK... I do remember the center being pretty mug-happy after dark around 3-4 years ago, haven't been since though and am waiting to back. Have been in GC many times since then though and basically always felt pretty safe and relaxed, though I avoid red buses in general and use taxis or TransUrbano/Metro instead.
Not making generalizations at all, but... I've found that one thing that families seem to talk about all over Latin America is how "things are getting worse" (except for Medellin, where it's the opposite). A lot of times that's just being cumulatively worn down by incidents over time and not really a sign that it's become more dangerous.
I think it would be impossible to think that any place in the world isn't more dangerous that it has been in the past. Have fun and good luck...and be diligent, as always.
I have been studying at Celas Maya for 2 months and I've had no problems whatsoever. The instructors are trained and very well educated. The school works hard to take your needs in mind when they place you with a familly. There is a survey every week to see how things are going -- and they respond to the survey immediately. I have learned a lot since being here (I came with no spanish at all) and I feel confident walking the streets alone but I don't late at night. I am a middle aged woman traveling alone and I have relly loved my stay in Xela and at Celas Maya
That's great to hear and I'm glad to know that the school is doing well. Tell Federico and Alejandra that "Carlos" said "hello". Even though Carlos is a very common name, I feel certain both would easily figure out who you mean. I studied with quite a few other teachers there but I think the others have all left the school. I've been back a couple of times....but not for a few years.
I notice that you just joined the forum today. How curious!