Merida at 5000 feet, is a pleasant colonial university town located in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada de Merida at the northern most tip of the Andes and the city is overshadowed by the Bolívar Peak (15,260ft) and Mirror Peak. The capital of Merida State is one of Venezuela's most popular tourist destinations.

Known as the "City of Caballeros", the city is famous for its many statues, parks, colonial architecture, narrow streets and thriving university and its 37,000 students.

Mérida has modern and colonial art museums and must sees include: the Valle Grande, the Flower Clock, Los Chorros de Milla, the lagoons of Mucubaji, Los Anteojos, Tabay, Pogal, Los Patos, San-say and the famous Black Lagoon.

The highest tramway in the world offers visitors a spectacular view of Mérida and the Andes. A mountain railway runs from the town to Pico Espejo and the Andean Club in Mérida arranges trips to Los Nervados, the highest village in the mountains (this is only recommended for the most hardy of students).

Other excursions from Mérida include San Javier del Valle, a relaxing mountain retreat, and Jaji, which has some fine examples of colonial architecture. The Sierra Nevada National Park offers opportunities to ski between November and June but, at an altitude of (14,000ft), this is recommended only for the hardiest and most dedicated.

It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.

Most students fly into Caracas and then catch a connection to Merida, the transfer time is about 45 minutes. Note: Most students will have to book a hotel stop over in Caracas because of flight times. Language Learning Abroad offers for an additional cost a package which includes a one way airline ticket, transfers to/from the airport and one nights hotel accommodation, please see prices below.
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Aerial cableway
Plaza Beethoven (Beethoven's works is played hourly)
Parque La Isla (orchid gardens)
Andean folk museum
Jardin Acuario
Academic credit available
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Our school is located in an open, cheerful house, downtown on the 4th floor of an office building which also houses a bakery, cafeteria, pizza parlor, several restaurants and pool hall.

The school class rooms are large with views looking out over the Andes. The school also offers a language lab with audio cassettes and holds about 25 international students per day.

The school offers basic facilities while the professional staff provides a good language program with plenty of individual attention for each student. The school organizes weekly social and cultural activities as well as weekend excursions.
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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 4 students per class.

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.

Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play, games and perhaps videos to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested. For more information please see Course Outline.

After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.

The following are available: the city's highlights include the Plaza Beethoven where a different melody from Beethoven's works is chimed every hour; the Parque La Isla with its orchid gardens, amphitheater and lovely fountains; and the Andean folk museum, Jardin Acuario.

A trip to Merida would not be complete without a jaunt on the world's highest and longest aerial cableway, which runs from Mirida to the 4,765 metre high Pico Espejo. The brave are rewarded with a stunning view of Pico Bolivar, Venezuela's highest peak, and access to outstanding hiking trails that lead to ice caves and gorgeous alpine villages. In case you're ill prepared, the station at Merida rents jackets, gloves, caps and climbing equipment.

At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest. These excursions are slightly more expensive than the daily activities ($10-$40), as they are normally full day or full weekend excursions and could include (transport, meals entrance fees and even accommodation). If you are interested in sight-seeing by yourself or with other class mates, our school staff are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have and help you book local travel or excursions.

NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the program info and resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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Host Family: (private room) 2 meals daily.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 15 minutes away. Sometimes more than one student may stay at the host family

Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels. If your family does not provide a laundry service, they may allow you to use the laundry facilities for a small additional charge.

Staying in a family is a truly wonderful experience and many students make lifetime friends with their host family. However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family may not have the same comforts as your own home but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.

NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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"Mérida is a beautiful city nestled between the Andes Mountains. Everywhere you look there is nature to be seen. Off the beaten path are wild life, waterfalls, and vegetation galore. The people are friendly and it is a complete language Emerson! (Just don't wear shorts!) The staff was amazingly helpful and I learned an incredible amount. My only complaint is that I wasn't there long enough!
Future Advice: Have no expectations and be flexible! It's never going to be what you thought it would. And talk to everyone in the language you are studying. That's the biggest way to learn. Don't be discouraged by people who make you feel stupid. Stay as long as you can!"
Tamia Noftzger (age 24)

"I've returned from my trip to Merida, Venezuela. I can't express what a beautiful city and what wonderful people are there. Class went very well, I now feel that I can fully communicate in the spanish language, both written and oral. You really helped me to make this happen by pushing my processing through as fast as you had. Thank you so much. I'm sure to give you a call for my next adventure. Thanks!"
Braxton Lewis (US student)

"I had a wonderful time during most of my five weeks in Venezuela. My Spanish professors, host family and the school administrators were all wonderful, and I also made some lifelong friends through the school as well. In spite of the unusual things that happened during my trip to Venezuela, I would return in a second to Merida if I had the opportunity. Overall, it was a great experience and I would recommend it to anyone (after the country stabilizes a little, that is)."
Michael Moren (27), Dec 2002, USA student

"The people with whom I stayed were reasonable, very nice, as well as un intrusive. The program was exceptional as almost every day myself and one other student were the entire class. I learned a good bit. The family was nice, I believe that they had housed quite a few students. This led to a plus in the sense that they were experienced with that sort of thing and not bothered by my missing meals, coming home late, etc."
Malcolm Dunlevie, Feb 2002, USA
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