Testimonials from Spaniards and

'Anglos' participants

“Well, I'm back in New York, and I am definitely suffering from PVDS (post Vaughantown depression syndrome). What an unbelievable experience! I've found it really difficult to explain to people what made it so fabulous, and why we all felt so connected after only six days.

All I can say is that the openness, intelligence, curiosity and warmth of all of the participants, Anglos and Spaniards, is why you go. It's not just language - it's the world's greatest cultural exchange program. The U.N. could learn a thing or two! I admit to having had a few concerns beforehand - about my own ability to keep up conversation and to make myself understood, about getting burnt out before the program was over, about spending so much concentrated time with strangers. My advice to future participants? Shove the concerns aside when you get on the bus. I sat next to Carolina, a Spanish participant and one of the loveliest human beings you could ever hope to meet, and we talked the whole way there. Throw your self into the deep end, trust me, the water's fine."

VaughanTown is everything it's cracked up to be. Check the website, get excited, and sign up as soon as possible! Spanish people are the most friendly and generous people I have ever met. I could hardly buy them a drink at the hotel bar while I was there. They all insisted on buying me drinks.

“Having just returned from the "Vaughan experience" last week I am glowing. I had such a good time and am having to restrain myself from talking all the time about it !! I am 60 and hoped that I would not be much older than all the other participants. I wasn't but I don't think it would have mattered if I had been. Everyone mixed so well that age was a very minor consideration. We all got to feel so comfortable with each other, and so quickly that after lunch on Sunday we all mixed very freely, both during the timetabled times and also late into the nights enjoying conversation and cultural comparison.”

"I thoroughly enjoyed the week and felt very at home with your program. The magic ingredient in your program is the autonomy you invest in the Anglo partner. I loved having no prescribed set of tedious questions which only serve to generate boredom. Your method encourages creativity and spirited dialogue on the part of both participants. The result is a dynamic exchange which engages the individuals in a truly holistic sense ; spontaneously exchanging ideas from the heart, soul and intellect .  The Vaughan system is brilliantly conceived and I am sure each and every participant is enriched by the experience."

"If, like me, you were cruising the internet dreaming of foreign shores and found VaughanTown, jump in with both feet.....The dream of a week away meeting new friends from Spain and around the world came true for me."

"I generally think of exchange programmes as being valuable to others when you can help people build homes, create agricultural farming in their community and build bridges or other much-needed resources for survival. I can't build a bridge, design crop rotation systems or install a sewage plant, but I can talk and talk and talk. For me, and other participants, the week at Vaughan Town was about stepping out of my own isolated sphere, moving beyond my comfort zone and overcoming fears I have." (click here to read her full blog).

“What a fantastic week! There are not enough superlatives to describe how great my time in Gredos was. I met the most fantastic people, both Anglos and Spaniards and it was really very hard to say goodbye on our last day. The course was superbly organised by Marisa, who worked tirelessly, as did Rob for the whole week. The setting is perfect, the hotel wonderful and apart from a little more Spanish sunshine I couldn't have asked for anything more. My favourite times were after siesta when we would join up our one-to-ones to play games. I really thought that it might be quite difficult to make that much conversation but it appears I like talking and never even needed my conversation starters! Please feel free to use my comments to convince other potential Vaughantowners as I am recommending the experience to everyone I meet!”

"Having been an exchange student, I have always believed that the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself fully in it – then you have no choice!  It’s not always that simple to get the opportunity, though, so it’s wonderful that through Vaughan Town, Spaniards are able to have this experience. I have participated in two separate Vaughan Town programmes, and both were amazing.  Spaniards and Anglos alike come so open and willing to learn and share themselves and their culture.  There is no pressure over what to talk about so everyone is able to be themselves.  This is not just a language programme for Spaniards; it is also an amazingly enriching experience for us Anglos as well.  I will definitely be visiting Vaughan Town again soon, and I would recommend anyone thinking about it to stop thinking and just do it!"

“To be honest, I never really expected the week to be as it was.   It really was the most amazing of experiences and probably one of the best weeks of my life.  People were fantastic - and it is incredible to see the work which goes on behind the scenes - not only by Rob and Marisa - but by the Vaughan Town office people.  A truly amazing place and even more incredible people - both Anglos and Españoles. Gracias!"

“For me the Vaughan Town experience enabled me to get to know professional Spanish people in a warm and friendly environment in a way that can not be matched anywhere else on the globe. It was a way of interacting and enjoying 6 days with a group of like- minded intelligent people who were extremely warm and friendly throughout the program.  Both the Anglo the Spanish participants enjoyed the relaxed, informal setting and created together some very humorous and memorable moments. So much creativity and talent enabled us to laugh until we cried....remarkable experience, may it continue and grow for everyone’s benefit.”

 

“As usual, the “greet and meet” tapas party was excellent, and the programs again were outstanding successes. I much prefer the six-day program to the older eight day program simply because both the Anglos and the Spaniards get less weary as the week progresses, and therefore both benefit. I believe that having Richard and Fernanda open each week on site creates an impression that the “boss” truly believes in the program. This in turn puts participants at ease while imbuing them with a belief in their ability to both deliver and receive a quality product.

The enthusiasm and quality of the Spanish participants continues to amaze me, and gives the boost to provide them the best “miles of English” I can deliver. You can certainly expect this Anglo to highly recommend Vaughntown to any potential Anglos.  Please give “a well done” to all VaughanTown staff for a wonderful two weeks."

“What an excellent week. I wanted to stay a few more weeks. I enjoyed everything about the program, especially meeting and working with everyone.”