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Visiting Panama For A Cultural Retreat

By Bonnie Contreras


One of the quickest ways to learn a new language is to immerse oneself in the culture. Visiting Panama is a sure fire way for novices to learn their first words or for advanced speakers to improve their vocabulary and grammar. A variety of cultural programs exist in this country to do exactly that.

The people of this country are where the diversity stems from. An estimated 67% of the country is primarily Spanish, 12 % are native Indians, 9 % are from Africa and 12% are of Caucasian and Chinese descent. The average life expectancy is 75 years and the primary language is Spanish.

There are various ways to learn Spanish in this beautiful country, each style suited to certain individuals. There is a language school in the capital city that provides learners with a relaxed learning environment, teaching Spanish by the sea. Group lessons are offered and they are focused on fun and stimulating ways to engage in conversations. Lessons usually last about 20 hours per week, depending on the establishment, with extended lessons being available.

Home stays are a wonderful way to learn Spanish and immerse oneself in this fascinating culture. These programs are run through companies specializing in cultural exchanges. The process is quiet simple and inexpensive. These companies have a database of families who are willing to welcome a foreigner into their homes. They are giving a subsidy by the company to provide adequate care for the individual. This guest then effectively becomes part of the household for a specified time. They eat and cook with the family, do chores and odd jobs and most importantly, learn the language. With very little or no English being tolerated in the households this is an ideal way to learn.

Kayaking in the mangroves is an activity recommended by all the locals. A guide and equipment can be obtained from various companies in the area. For those who are less inclined to paddle, scenic tours are also available with the guide doing all the work. Kayaking trails can vary from easy to advanced, some lasting several hours.

The culture scene features various festivals which deserve mention. The most famous is most probably the carnival that takes place for four days leading up to Ash Wednesday in February. It features loads of traditional parades, music, dancing and of course a lot of drinking. It is a cultural event not to be missed.

Enrolling in a formal class is another way of mastering the language. These courses are offered by local universities and colleges. They are most often more serious in nature and they carry on for extended periods of time. Some American universities even have exchange programs, allowing students to complete a semester abroad.

Visiting panama is a great way to experience a new culture. The various traditions and heritages of its natives mix together to create an unbelievably vibrant art and culture scene which is second to none. This is one of the best destinations in the world.




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