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If you've ever made friends previously in your life, you can
probably do it again in Nicaragua. The concept and rules to
friendship aren't that much different here. As mentioned earlier
in this chapter, expatriates usually gravitate toward one another.
If you make an effort, it won't take long to network and meet
other expats.


Learning Spanish will open a lot of social doors for you, and
allow you to be invited into Nicaraguan society. Many
Nicaraguans with a higher level of education already speak
and/or understand English, ranging from survival language skills
to highly developed conversational skills.
English is taught in a lot of high schools, and some wealthy
Nicaraguans attend American academies, or Ave Maria College,
a U.S.-accredited four-year university in San Marcos, where all
the courses are taught in English. In addition, U.S. TV
programming is available through cable, and most movies are
released in English ­ so many Nicaraguans already have some
English-language skills. As the English-speaking population
grows, fueled by tourism, more and more young and
professional Nicaraguans are learning the language.
Also, many wealthy Nicaraguans have family in the United
States, and some have lived there previously themselves.
Some Nicaraguans might even consider doing an intercambio
with you, where you meet informally to converse in English and
Spanish, giving both of you a chance to practice a second
language.