Frequently Asked Questions

Now that your registration for classes at Casa Xalteva is confirmed, here are answers to some of the questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions not covered here.

How do I get picked up at the Managua airport?

If you have requested an airport pick up and sent us your arrival date, time and flight number, and we have confirmed your airport pickup, we will have a driver meet you at the airport. When you arrive in Managua you will first go through Nicaraguan immigration. Residents of most countries will pay a US$5.00 fee and receive a 30-day tourist permit. (For a few countries, a visa is required. You can check the Nicaraguan government website at: http://www.intur.gob.ni/english/info/paisesvisa.html to see if you have any travel restrictions.) You will then pick up your checked luggage and go through the Nicaraguan Customs check-point. As you exit from the airport Customs area, watch for someone holding a CASA XALTEVA sign. The driver will take you directly to Casa Xalteva, and someone will escort you to your homestay family.

What if I arrive late at night?

Generally, for safety reason, we don’t pick up students later than 11 pm at night. If you arrive after that time, it is best for you to go directly to a hotel in Managua, and we can arrange to pick you up there the next day. There is a good hotel directly across the highway from the airport, the Best Western Hotel Mercedes. Tomake a reservation, contact http://www.bestwestern.com/reservations/index.asp.

Do I have to stay with a family in Granada?

We strongly recommend staying with a family because it allows you to practice your Spanish in everyday situations and gives you a chance to get to know Nicaraguans on a personal level. You also do not have to worry about eating in restaurants or preparing your own meals. However, you can arrange your own housing. There are a variety of inexpensive hospedaje and hotels in Granada ranging in price from about US$8.00 to $125.00 per night. We can send you some information about the options if you request it.

What is it like staying with a family?

Our families are all warm, friendly and safe. We have chosen them carefully, and most have been serving our students for several years. Many of our students make life-long friendships with their host families. They will provide you with a private room and good meals. The homes are clean, safe and comfortable, but usually not luxurious. Most families have electric fans instead of air conditioning, and some do not have hot water for showers or washing. You may be sharing a bathroom with family members. If those things are problems for you, we can help you find other accommodations. We can accommodate all kinds of dietary needs, as long as you are very explicit about your needs and preferences. The families don’t usually provide laundry service as a part of the regular homestay, but some will do your laundry for a small price, or let you do your own in the home. Because you are in someone’s home, you need to be respectful and considerate. Discuss any rules or procedures with them at the beginning. For instance, ask them how they feel about issues like your having alcohol in the house, bringing your friends over, etc. Please respect their sleeping hours and meal times. If you are going to miss meals, be sure to let the family know in advance, since they will be preparing food for you. If you would like to bring a gift for the family, they will be very appreciative. They especially like things from your home, like specialty foods, chocolates, souvenirs, picture books, baseball caps, T-shirts, etc.

What if I have problems with my family?

You should be very frank with the family about things that bother you. Don’t let little irritants grow into major issues. If you are having trouble communicating with them, talk to your Spanish teacher and get some help. If there are major problems or you just don’t feel comfortable, talk to Casa Xalteva staff and we can find another family or make other arrangements for you. By the way, this almost never happens at Casa Xalteva. Most of our students are overwhelmed by the kindness and friendliness of the families.

What will happen the first day of class?

Most of our classes begin on Monday morning. One of our teachers will have a brief conversation with you in Spanish or give you a brief written quiz to determine your basic level. You will be placed in a class only with students who are at a very similar level to yours. If there aren’t any others at that level, you will have a class by yourself at no additional charge. Once in class, the teacher will talk to all of the students about particular needs and what you want to focus on. The teacher will develop a unique study plan for each class according to your needs and goals. Some classes may focus more on speaking and understanding, others more on grammar, reading or writing. If you feel that you have been placed in the wrong class, or you are having any problems, please speak frankly with your teacher or with the Casa Xalteva managers.

Who are the teachers?

All of our teachers are young, native Spanish-speakers, who are well-trained in working with international students. They are either college graduates or working on college degrees while they teach at Casa Xalteva. Most have several years of experience as teachers. All of our teachers know some English, but most are not fluent. We discourage our teachers from using any English or other non-Spanish languages in the classroom, even with beginning students. While that may sound frightening, our long experience has shown us that even beginning students learn much faster if they are totally immersed in the language and do not fall back on their English when they have problems understanding. If you have to ask a question in English, your teachers will probably respond in Spanish, and if you still don’t understand they will try to find ways to communicate the answer to you. The first few days you may find that frustrating, but you will be amazed at how quickly you learn to get by without using your native language. Trust us on this.

Do I need to bring any study materials?

We provide a textbook and plenty of homework exercises and other materials for you. You should bring a good paperback Spanish dictionary and a notebook and pen or pencil to take notes. We encourage you to read newspapers and magazines and even books in Spanish, according to your level, and you can bring them to class for help or discussion.

Can I do volunteer work?

Yes, we offer a variety of volunteer work opportunities according to your level of Spanish, your background and interests. Some of the options include working with kids in schools or community programs, working with women’s or community organizations, clinics and hospitals, etc. Generally there are fewer opportunities for volunteer work for students staying less than two weeks and/or students who are beginners in Spanish. However, there may be some things you can do with limited time and language ability. If you are studying longer than two weeks or are at intermediate or advanced level, there are more opportunities. Once you have finished studying Spanish at Casa Xalteva, you have the option of continuing your volunteer work as long as you like. You can even continue staying with your host family while you volunteer. If you are interested in volunteer work, let your Casa Xalteva teacher know as soon as you start classes. He or she will talk to you about the options and help you set up the contacts.

What could I bring with me to donate to local people?

One way everyone can help the people of Granada is to bring some items we can give away to needy kids. These include books, CDs, videos, and other educational materials (Spanish or bi-lingual;) school supplies like notebooks, tablets, pens and pencils, crayons and art supplies; tooth brushes and tooth paste; clothes and shoes, new or in good condition; baseballs and baseball gloves; new toys and stuffed animals; etc. Casa Xalteva can help you find needy kids or adults to donate your materials to.

What kinds of activities are available for students?

There are many activities available for you to get out of the classroom and practice Spanish in real situations. For example your class may decide to go to the market one day to learn the names of foods and household items, visit a museum, or even go to one of the lakes during class hours. Your teacher will talk to you about the possibilities and make sure that all of the class members are in agreement. During periods when we have a lot of students, we regularly schedule activities outside of class hours, free or with a small charge. Examples include: Latin dancing lessons, lectures on Central American history and current issues, visits to the wonderful cultural center in Granada called the Casa de los Tres Mundos, art exhibitions, evening concerts, afternoon excursions to local volcanoes, bicylcle rentals and organized tours, boat trips in the lake, tours of neighboring towns or to Managua, etc. During the times when there are fewer students, we may not schedule regular programs but we do respond to student requests to help set up activities. If there are activities you want to propose, be sure to talk to your teacher or Casa Xalteva staff about them.

What is the weather like?

Nicaragua is almost always hot and humid. The most pleasant time of year is December through February, when it is cooler and drier, and you may even need to sleep under a blanket some nights. The rainy season lasts from about May until September, and there may be frequent by short tropical downpours, but also lots of sunshine in between. From October to April it will be mostly dry, but there are also occasional rain showers. Bring a light rain jacket, and a sweater for visiting the mountains.

Do I need to take any special medical precautions?

If you are just going to be in Granada and local areas, there are no special medical requirements. Make sure your routine vaccinations, like tetanus, are up to date. If you will be traveling to other parts of Central or South America, especially to rainforest or very rural areas, you should take malaria prevention medications, and you should check the U.S. government’s travelers’ website at: http://www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm to see if you need take to take other precautions, such as typhoid or yellow fever vaccinations. You should also confer with a medical doctor or other practitioner who is family with international travel issues.

Is Nicaragua dangerous?

Nicaragua has changed from one of the most unstable countries in the region in the 1980s and early 90s, to one of the most stable and safe. Granada is a small city and a safe destination for tourists and students. Of course, you need to take the usual precautions that you would take traveling anywhere in the world. You should not be out alone late at night, you should ask your teachers and host families where you can walk safely and what areas you should avoid, stay away from illegal drugs, watch you luggage carefully, and don’t carry expensive cameras, jewelry, electronic devices, etc. in plain sight. Remember that excessive drinking makes you vulnerable wherever you are. Women may experience some mild harassment on the streets, but Nicaragua does not seem to be as bad as some other countries in this regard. We have never had a Casa Xalteva student hurt or seriously threatened in Granada. Managua is not a safe city for tourists after dark. Do not find yourself in the streets alone at night in Managua. Our first priority is to keep you safe and secure, and our staff are always available to answer questions or give you advice about how to avoid problems.

What does Casa Xalteva do with the money it earns?

We are a non-profit educational and charitable foundation. All of the funds earned by Casa Xalteva go to pay our teachers, staff, and homestay families, or to support programs that help Nicaragua, one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. Casa Xalteva serves as a shelter for a few abused and impoverished kids, and we provide scholarships to Nicaraguan students and financial support for other children’s programs and community development projects. Although our home office is in the United States, none of the money earned goes to any non-Nicaragua individuals or organizations. We and our students have been helping people in Nicaragua for more than ten years, and you will gain a lot of satisfaction from knowing that you are giving back to the people for all of the benefits you gain as a student at Casa Xalteva.

Does Casa Xalteva accept contributions?

Yes, we gratefully accept contributions of funds in any amount to support our kids and for scholarships and our other community service work in Nicaragua. Contributions are tax-deductible in the U.S. and can be mailed to Casa Xalteva, P.O. Box 4542, Albuquerque, NM 87196. You can also donate on-line by using Pay Pal. We will send you a tax receipt letter if requested. Check our website at _link_ to see what some of our other special needs are.

We also have a new program to collect laptop computers new (or used, if in good working condition) to distribute to Nicaraguan kids and schools. This is especially useful if you can carry them down when you go to Casa Xalteva and then leave them. Or, if you prefer to ship them to us in Albuquerque, let me know and I will provide a shipping address.