I had a great time learning Spanish at Academia Surpacifico! The teachers were all very friendly and made the lessons fun and interesting. Manuel was also very helpful picking us up from the bus station and taking us to the students apartment which was very comfortable and well equipped. I would definitely recommend learning Spanish at Academia Surpacifico!

Ellen Greenhalgh
March 2008, England
email: mda05elg@sheffield.ac.uk

I spent two weeks at surpacifico and i would highly recomment it. Our teaching was very good and at a good pace! Everyone here is really friendly and will help you with anything and there are lots of extra activities organised so you can get the most out of your stay ? I really enjoyed the salsa! The apartment has everything you need and manta provides everything else to keep you busy! Thank you to everyone at surpacifico.

Susan Tracey
March 2008, England
email: susantracey@hotmail.com

I loved my time here. I had a very enriching learning experience at the hospital. Everyone wanted to make sure I was comfortable and they taught me a lot of things. Manuel helped me out with any problems I came across. I truly learned a lot in my classes and I was able to apply those skills in the hospital. Thanks so much for such a wonderful time!

Nicole Maddox (medical student)
June 2008, USA
email: nicki_track@hotmail.com

As of now, I have lived in Ecuador for a total of 12 weeks and I can say with confidence that my week here in Manta has been the most enjoyable by far. My only regret is that my work schedule permited me to spend only one week studying at Surpacifico- I would have loved to spent more time studying.

The program I chose was Spansih + Surfing lessons; I loved them both. Being the ocean worshiper that I am, it came no surprise to me that I looked forwarded to spending the frist two hours of my day in the water. While I struggled with learning how to actually surf (which I attribute to none other than my personal lack of athletic ability), I none the less had fun trying! The instructors were friendly and patient, and they took the time to evaluate my individual needs and futhermore give advice as to how to improve my surfing. Although the time I spent actually standing up on my board is miniscule compared to the amount of time I spent falling off the board, I know have a great story of how I learned to surf off the coast of Ecuador.

My Spanish instructor was equally, if not more, amazing! I spent four hours a day with individualized instruction. I was asked from the start which areas of the language I wanted to focus on- I received help in those areas as well as many more. I could not believe how quickly the four hours went by. The strucure of my lessons varied from verbal instruction, practice exercises, and conversation. What surprised me the most was the level of comfort in the classroom- I am usually one that will shy away from speaking my second language due to fear. But with my instructor, I had absolutely no insercurities.

I opted to stay in the student apartment located above the school. What an awesome choice! Close to the school, in town, and within walking distance to the beach! I was offered every comfort avaliable and always had ready assistance when needed.

The school is run in a very professional, yet personal and friendly manner. Schedules are flexible and adapated to best suite your needs. Afternoon activities offered were not only a great way to experience the country and its unique culture, but also a great way to build lasting friendships with other students studying at the school.

Without question, I whole heartedly give my recommendations to Academica Surpacifico to anyone interested in studying Spanish within a wonderful community. The city of Manta , its friendly and welcoming people, and the staff of Surpacifico have given me an experience that I will never forget?and one that I hope to repeat in the future!

Kristie
March 2008, USA
email: krissie@uga.edu

I am very pleased with my decision to come to Academia Surpacifico to learn Spanish. Manuel Bucheli runs a wonderful school in Manta. The school has all the facilities and tools that one needs, and it is in a central location about a ten minute walk to the beach. All of my professors were excellent - very professional and caring and friendly and they really seem to enjoy teaching.

Manuel is very flexible and can organize whatever kind of program you want in order to meet your individual needs. In my case, I wanted to learn Spanish very quickly and therefore, I wanted as many class time hours as possible, and decided to do 35 hours per week of individual lessons. However, I also wanted to explore Ecuador and learn about the history and culture as well as experience the three different geographical regions of the country. I planned a nine week study/travel program and Manuel was more than happy to arrange all the details for me. I also did three separate weeks of ¨Traveling with a Teacher¨; one week at Alandaluz (an ecotourism resort on the Ruta del Sol), one week traveling the North Coast and one week at a jungle lodge close to Coca. All of the lodging and home were very pleasant and clean and always met or exceeded my expectations. I lived with families in Manta, Cuenca and Quito and used hotels/lodges during the traveling portion. And all of my travel arrangements between the different places went very smoothly.

I would highly recommend Academia Surpacifico and Manuel Bucheli to anyone who is interested in learning Spanish in Ecuador. You won´t be disappointed!

ˇMuchas Gracias!

Jennifer Speck
April 2008, Las Vegas, Nevada
email: the_jenerator@hotmail.com

My name is Sandra and I´m a second year pediatrics resident in Salt Lake City, Utah. Due to the great number of mexican families immigrating to Utah, I decided to learn spanish and also a bit of latino culture. I am in my second week of studying at the Academia Surpacifico in Manta. I chose Manta mainly because of the beaches and that it was smaller (and probably safer for a single girl walking the streets than Quito). I also work in an outpatient clinic during the mornings. The pediatrician I work for is fantastic and all the doctors and nurses make me feel really welcome.

Sandra Lawrynowicz
February 2008, Canada
email: sandralaw79@yahoo.ca

In 1998, I learned Spanish at the Academia de Español Surpacifico. At that time the school was located in Bahia the Caraquez. I made very good experiences at this School. All teachers and the owner, Manuel Bucheli, were very friendly. There have been only one to one classes. I could decide what I want to learn - if I prefer grammar or spoken language - for example. There have been activities in the evenings and during the weekends. I learned a lot of the Spanish language and the culture during my stay in Ecuador. People of Ecuador are generally very open and friendly. I lived in a family, which was arranged by the school. The family was nice as well and they all have been good friends. It is the easiest way to learn a foreign language if you live together with native people. I highly recommend the Academia de Español Surpacifico.

Thomas Schmid, Switzerland

Hallo, I am Christine from Munich, Germany! In February/March 2001 I have visited the Academia Surpacifico in Manta, Ecuador, to learn Spanish. This trip was fantastic! I met a lot of super friendly people, the teachers are excellent and Ecuador is a fascinating and beautiful country.

I lived in the house of a very nice Ecuadorian family who treated me most nice as if I were there own child. The Surpacifico School is near by the Sea, so that in the afternoon, after school, you can go to the beach with the other students, swim and hang around. Or you can go to an internet café and write home to your friends and family.

I really recommend this School to everybody who wants to learn Spanish and have fun in the same time!

Christine, Germany

It was really perfect time in Manta. All teachers in this institute are very friendly and pleasant. I think Ecuador is one of the best countries for studying Spanish. If you want find nice places, warm weather, beaches, ocean, excellent food and of course friendly people in the whole of Ecuador than you have to visit this part of the world.

And why studing just in Institute Surpacifico? Answer is really easy. Teachers are very flexible in the teaching. If you are not a beginner you do not have to lost time with things which you know. All teachers have sense of humor so your lessons are not boring. Sometime after school all students and teachers are going together for example to the beach or to some restaurant.

For me was leave-taking very hard because after three weeks was everybody my friend.

Pavel Balcar, Czech Republic

After studying at Academia de Español Surpacifico, I found it to be an excellent school. The teachers are well trained, with a variety of experiences. The one-on-one teaching is very helpful for my individual knowledge. The school was very helpful with instructions to Manta, etc. Also, the family that I stayed with was great. I highly recommend this school.

Judith Yurkew (2-16-2002) U.S.A

Spanish in Ecuador

Muchas gracias por el tiempo en la escuela. Me gusta mucho aquÍ. Manta me gustó mucho también y muchas gracias por toda la ayuda del director Manuel Bucheli y su esposa Rosalín. La escuela es un lugar que me gusta mucho!!

Astrid Guschel - student
Germany
Email: Astrid.Guschel@web.de

español en la costa

Muchas gracias por el tiempo muy bueno en la escuela.

Daniela Graf - estudiante
Alemania
Email: graf.daniela@gmx.de

Naehdem ich hier 2 wochen unterrich hatte kann ich nur sagen: das team macht sich alle muhe un es jemanden au recht zu machen. ich habe sehr viel gelernd und kamm diese schudt sehr emplrehler vielen dank an allen.

Peter Hermerns - manager
Niederlande
Email: peterhermens@home.nl

Necesito decir muchas muchas muchas gracias por todo. Mi tiempo acá ha sido increíble y divertido. Todos las profesoras son muy amables y me sentí confortable cuando hablé con ellas aun cuando no estaba seguro si mi español era correcto, ¡y muchas veces (casi siempre) no era! En solo dos semanas aprendí mucho, pero estoy aprendiendo todavía. Una otra vez, gracias amigos. ¡Buena Suerte con todo!

Nicholas Hack - esudiante
USA

Manuel and teachers: Thanks very much for all the kind attention for our comfort and our enjoyment. The Thursday trips are great and thanks Manuel for all your help arranging other trips as well.

Annette Mercer - English teacher
Canada

Thank you for everything! This school was a great experience and the professors are great. I learned a lot here. The outside activities and the dance lessons were also very fun. I think this school is a great place to learn Spanish. Thanks again!

Todd Glessemer - Chef
USA

Thank you for two weeks in this school The best (and I know many) in Latin America. I learned a lot and the teachers are great. I am going to recommend to everyone. See you soon!

Axel Poschner
Germany
Email: axel@poschner.com

Great school on the coast

Surpacifico has been such a positive addition to my time in Manta and in Ecuador! The teaching staff is excellent, the school is well organized and dependable, and the excursions are fun. Manuel is always very helpful in assisting students with whatever he can and truly wants foreigners to enjoy their time in Manta. Great place to learn Spanish (and the beach is nice too).

Colleen Fenno - teacher
USA
Email: cmfenno@hotmail.com