I’m not entirely sure what made me think I could/should slip back into education at my ripe old age. Sure, I have a bit of a history of being an educational badge collector but that was mainly part-time courses with the odd lecture here and there, not full-on classroom brain melting!

I guess my Yorkshire roots have given me an eye for a bargain, and in an effort to be slightly more than the ignorant, shout loud enough in English and they’ll understand Brit abroad, I figured a bit of language skill under my belt would be a good thing.

Entonces.. (see what I did there?)… here I am studying and living with the good people at Blink. I get: 4 hours of intense group class teaching every day (only 3-5 in a class); + 2 hours a week of private 1-1 teaching; + 2/3 1 hour “Masterclasses” on a specific topic; plus upgraded accommodation (own bathroom and kitchen); + breakfast and lunch 5 days a week. And how much would you pay for such an offering?…. well at around £300 a week, I’m not arguing. The teaching is top notch and the whole business is a social enterprise with all teachers on a profit share and the restaurant also providing subsidised meals to lots of locals as well as students.

Our teacher created lovely little watercolours for each member of my class on the last day she taught us.

The students (around 80 0f them) are a mixed bunch, lots of UK, some Germans, Dutch, Irish, Aussies and perhaps most surprisingly a few Yanks who have a taken a week off work and just flown in to do a solid week of Spanish. The average age is probably late 20’s but there are more than a few of my vintage, so thankfully I don’t have to feel a bit Rolf Harris hanging about the Hostel style accommodation. There are social activities I’ve dipped in and out of (mostly out) but it’s there if you want it.

It’s all located in an exceptional area… it’s all a bit too Gringo for me, but that said the cafes/bars restaurants are as good as I’ve seen anywhere. All independent and many with real style. Remember folks, everything costs 30%-50% less than the UK and is usually better quality. Bottle of Colombian beer £1-£1.50; fresh squeezed juices £1, Colombian coffee (I’m told it’s good) £1.50. Long Island Iced Tea £3.

I’ve fallen in love with the £1 soft shell tacos with awesome toppings.. so much better than a bag of McCoys at the pub! And I saw an interesting craft beer place, which has central seating, then 4 or 5 concessions with different brewers offering their wares. It was dead when I visited in the day, but what a great idea to give brewers a chance to pitch their brews.

So apart from the intensity of my brain melting, I’ve got absolutely nothing to complain about and would recommend this to anyone that fancies learning in a lovely environment!