"I spent an amazing six weeks studying in Celas Maya. I stayed with a fantastic family, really felt I got to understand Guatemala and made huge strides forward with my Spanish. The school itself is very professional and the teachers I had were so well structured that you could literally chart your progress. I have also studied in Spain where it was too expensive to have one-on-one classes and Nicaragua where the schools were nowhere near as professional or effective. And once you're done studying for the day, Xela is a great town with so much around it to see and do that you cannot fail to have a great time!!"

-Andrew Cockburn
London, England
26 January 2005

"I traveled to Xela during the "slower" season of September and October when many schools struggle to have more than five students. Indeed, I met several folks that were the only student in their school. Celas Maya always had a consistent 15-20 students. Despite the large size, the office and teachers do a great job of still making the experience very personal to you. I also like the bigger school size because I was able to easily meet people from throughout Europe, Australia and the Americas...many of whom I still stay in contact with. I spoke very little Spanish when I came to the school, so I was very relieved that an International Coordinator was in the office to guide my transition. The school is very close to Parque Central, as well as a number of bars and night spots for those looking to experience Xela after dark. If you have any questions about Celas Maya, feel free to email me. Jim Elfers jjelfers@hotmail.com. Enjoy your travels in Guatemala!"

-Jim Elfers
Cincinnati, Ohio USA
26 January 2005

"As someone who wanted to build upon the Spanish I had learned in high school and college, I decided to study Spanish in a foreign country. I spent a great deal of time researching my options online throughout Central and South America. After deciding to study in Guatemala, and then specifically in Quetzaltenango, Celas Maya stood out as the only option for me. Through my six weeks of study, my decision was reinforced time and time again. Through a combination of great teachers, a knowledgeable and professional school staff, a welcoming learning environment and a friendly host family, I felt that not only did my Spanish improve dramatically, but I also learned a great deal about the Guatemalan culture. By tracking weekly progress, the students are encouraged throughout their learning and if a student's style did not match that of the teacher, they are free to switch to gain the most out of their time at the school. The additional activities offered by the school, as well as the convenient location of Quetzaltenango for weekend travel to other communities, allowed me to explore the culture beyond the school walls. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to spend time at Celas Maya and look forward to the possibility of returning in the near future."

-Megan Callan
Chicago, Illinios USA
26 January 2005

"Our four weeks of study at Celas Maya were excellent. The best way to learn a language is one-on-one, and all of our instructors were competent and highly adaptable to our specific needs and interests. The wide variety of optional presentations, cooking and dancing classes, and excursions helped us learn a lot about Guatemalan life and culture as well as language. Celas Maya is systematic in its operations and very effective in improving Spanish language skills."

-Kent Macaulay and Thomas Knutson
Saskatoon, Canada
31 January 2005

''I studied three weeks at CELAS Maya with a focus on Spanish conversation to attain greater fluency. However, I also wanted to learn something about Mayan culture and Guatemalan history and politics. The conversation with my teachers ranged from Mayan food customs and marriage practices to the present political situation, the role of women in the community, education, and the effect of the low price of coffee on the Guatemalan economy. Besides, the school invited experts to come and talk, organized field trips that were both educational--e.g. a visit to Abaj Takalik, an archeological site--as well as useful--e.g. working on houses for Habitat for Humanity. The school is well-organized and the staff is very professional yet takes an interest in the well-being of each student.''

- Nell Mascall, ESL Teacher
Seattle, WA, United States.

"Hola- just had to drop you a line to let you know just how much we loved the experience at Celas Maya. Our home stay was exceptional. The family we stayed with - Guadelupe Del Carmen and family have become fast friends and they included us in everything for the whole week, includking taking us to their daughters 15th birthday quince años celebration- a huge and very special affair. Because this family interacted so well with us, we felt that you should know how pleased we were. We felt very much at home the whole time we were there. Thanks again for everything- we were certainly impressed with how well run everything was at your place and I am sure we will return."

-Brian and Sheila Swan
Wakefield, Quebec, Canada
7 February 2005

''My time in Guatemala was definitely highlighted by my Celas Maya experience. Whether it was learning Spanish in class, hanging out with other students outside of class, or experiencing Guatemalan culture with the activities planned by the school; Celas Maya was a great place for me. Being able to work one-on-one with a teacher, in Xela, is the only way to learn Spanish and the teachers at Celas Maya were wonderful. Not only did they work hard to teach me, they were interested in who I am and were excited about the activities as well. The activities varied every week, but they were always interesting. Some of my favorites were hiking up Volcán Santa María, a discussion about the economical climate in Guatemala, and a trip to Fuentes Georginas (a natural hot spring). Outside of class, the school had a wide variety of resources. The internet café in the school is very useful to have nearby and be able to use for a few minutes here and there. There is also a small library of books to read and a good variety of movies to watch at the school. There is even a ping pong table and I definitely enjoyed watching movies about Guatemala, like 'La hija del puma' at the school with other students. Even without knowing all this, when people from other schools visited I constantly heard: 'wow, your school is nicer than mine.' Most people based it just on the fact that there is a beautiful garden and that we study in an open air outdoor patio, rather than inside a building. It is definitely very nice, I would recommend Celas Maya to anybody and hope to return sometime soon.''

- Kevin Baker, college student
West Virginia, United States.

"First of all I must say that I’m really enjoying my time here. The school has a very central location and also its architecture itself is very nice: the little garden in the centre of the building with its open corridors around are suggesting openness in communication and encountering. This corresponds to the school’s climate: one has the possibilities – besides of learning a new language - to meet people from all over the world, to discuss or just socialize. The teachers are all very nice and friendly, extra-qualifications to their language skills. Since you are changing your teacher every week (if you want to do so), you’re getting a broader insight in Guatemala’s history, society and culture. The director-staff is always trying to solve problems, if there arise some. The living situation is also a very positive and enriching experience because you have the choice to live with a Guatemalan family, share their life a bit and of course practice your Spanish! Finally I must say that I can hardly find anything to criticize. So I can only recommend this school to everyone who wants to learn a new language and get an insight into a country which is worth to be explored and experienced."

- Daniel Sanin
Austria

Si no hubiera venido a Celas Maya, siguramente no habría podido escribir esto en español. Mi agradecimiento viene del profundo de mi corazón. El mérito es de mi maestras KAROL, MIRIAM, KARLA y maestro CARLOS que con mucha paciencia, ánimo y psicologia supieron inculcar las reglas en mi cabeza dura. El primero contacto con esta escuela fue con LINDSAY por correo electrónico y jamás olvidaré su ayuda preciosa en contestar inmediatamente todas mis preguntas con abundancia de detalles. Esto me dio una óptima impresión. La eficiencia de Lorena y de Martin con sus sonrisas perennes, la cordialidad de Leslie y de todos los maestros, de Doña Isabel, Juana, la presencia de Dona Rafaela, los miembros de la oficina del Internet, crearon un ambiente único donde me sentí feliz. Doña Doris contribuyó en modo particular a esto bienestar. Además, no aprendí solamente una nueva lengua, pero también la historia y las costumbres de un pais maravilloso. Sobre todo me siento muy honrada que algunas personas compartieron conmigo recuerdos personales tristes y felices. A todos muchas gracias, mi augurio que los deseos de cada uno se realizen y, con mucho cariño, hasta la próxima vez.

-M.L.-Toronto, Canada
23 March 2005