OLSA International: Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to OLSA International, a fully certified language immersion academy dedicated to conversational excellence, cultural fluency, and structural grammar for both Spanish and English. Officially recognized by the Ministry of Education of Colombia, our certified courses are fully eligible to sponsor your Colombian Student Visa. Our mission is to deliver real, actionable language skills to students, corporate professionals, and travelers looking to increase their international edge. Because true language acquisition is experiential, our curriculum challenges you to actively discover new concepts and immediately apply them in real-time scenarios.
💡 Why Focus on Speaking Rather Than Just Memorizing Grammar?
Our Methodology: Check out our Academic Philosophy to see how we bypass boring worksheets to build real-time fluency.- Our Credentials: Visit our Certified Spanish Programs page to view structural details on official Colombian Student Visas and U.S. University Credits.
🎓 Academics & Language Learning
- Our certified curriculum is specifically engineered to get you actually speaking Spanish from day one. Unlike traditional schools that rely heavily on lecture-style learning, OLSA guarantees results through our three core pillars: University-backed grammar courses aligned to global CEFR standards, immersive level-specific conversational classes (75–80 minutes) packed with interactive games and field trips, and real-world language exchange events every Wednesday and Friday at 6:00 PM.
(Note: Our programs are designed for practical fluency. If your primary goal is theoretical grammar worksheets rather than speaking, we can gladly recommend alternative academic programs).
Think of it this way: to learn how to swim, you have to get in the pool. Passive Learning involves activities like worksheets and memorizing rules. While helpful for building a baseline, relying solely on this method leads to hesitant, slow speech. Active Learning is real-time, natural communication. OLSA prioritizes active learning so you learn to think and express yourself fluidly through concept building, not just rigid grammar rules.
Fluency depends entirely on your personal dedication, aptitude, and starting level. Be wary of any programs or tutors promising “native fluency in 3 months”—true language acquisition takes time. We set realistic goals with you from day one and encourage checking our independent Google Reviews to see the authentic timelines and success stories of past students.
🛂 Colombian Student Visas
- OLSA is fully certified by the Secretary of Education of Medellin, making our students eligible for Colombian Student Visas. The standard process involves:
- Pre-qualification: Contact a trusted visa agent or embassy to confirm your financial eligibility.
- Enrollment: Submit your passport info page and signed New Student Packet to OLSA.
- Tuition Payment: Complete your tuition payment via our secure payment link or bank transfer.
- Documentation: OLSA will issue your official, certified enrollment documents.
- Insurance & Submission: Purchase required health insurance matching your enrollment dates and submit your visa application.
Once submitted, the Colombian government makes all final decisions. Your application will return one of three official statuses:
- Aprobada (Approved): Your visa is granted. The duration typically reflects the length of your study program.
- Inadmitida / Requerida (Information Required): The government requires additional files. While in this pending state, the school cannot issue tuition refunds. You must wait for a final approval or rejection.
- Negada (Rejected): The application is denied. You cannot reapply for any Colombian visa for six months. This status triggers your contract’s specific refund or credit options
To maintain strict ethical standards—as many local immigration lawyers and visa agents actively send their clients to us for classes—OLSA does not process visas directly. Visa processing is a separate legal cost (typically ranging from 1,500,000 to 2,000,000 COP). We are happy to provide recommendations for trusted, independent visa agents.
🎖️ Special Programs & Community
Yes. OLSA International proudly supports military veterans. We accept the Post-9/11 GI Bill® (Chapter 33), VR&E (Chapter 31), and Chapter 35 (DEA) benefits for our certified programs. Please mention your veteran status during enrollment so our specialized staff can coordinate your VA documentation.
Yes. Through our Stay & Study Program, we can help arrange housing and immersion packages designed to match your lifestyle and budget, allowing you to live comfortably while practicing Spanish outside the classroom.
Yes! We believe in giving back to the beautiful city of Medellin. We actively support the OLSA Foundation, which funds local social and educational initiatives. You can read more about our community outreach or get involved on our official Foundation Page.
📍 Campuses & Logistics
Our main 4,300-square-foot campus is located in the safe, vibrant neighborhood of Del Barrio Estadio at Calle 49B #76A-5, Laureles – Estadio, Medellín. The facility is located directly adjacent to the Parque de la Virgen and features four spacious conversational classrooms, indoor/outdoor practice common spaces, and balconies.
We offer flexible scheduling designed to match your specific lifestyle and learning objectives:
- Certified & Conversational Spanish Groups: Held mornings on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 9:00am and at 10:30am.
- Private Spanish Classes: Scheduled throughout the day from 8am through 5pm.
- Conversational English Classes: Hosted in the evenings at 4:00pm, 5:30pm and 7:00pm.
- Private English Classes: Scheduled throughout the day from 8am through 5pm.
- Intake Office Hours: Our administration front desk is open for new student arrivals and paperwork drop-offs Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.
Yes. OLSA Internacional features The Garage Bar & Restaurant directly on our campus. We are proud to be the only certified language academy in Medellín with a fully licensed restaurant and social space inside our facility. It provides an affordable, convenient gathering spot for students to grab fresh Mexican-American breakfast or lunch, socialize between sessions, and mingle with locals during evening events.
💰 Tuition Policies & Refund Terms
If the Colombian government officially rejects (NEGADA) your visa application, your contract provides specific protections:
- 75% Tuition Refund: OLSA will return 75% of your paid-in-advance package funds. This is calculated at the average daily USD/COP Bloomberg Bank exchange rate from your purchase date to the rejection date.
- The Honesty Condition: This refund is strictly conditional. No refund will be issued if the student has omitted information or acted fraudulently during the course of their relationship with the School.
- 25% Administrative Fee: The school retains 25% of the funds to cover registration and processing services.
- Strict 30-Day Deadline: You must formally claim your refund within thirty (30) days of the government’s rejection date, or the refund is considered forfeit.
- No Refund for Temporary Statuses: Refunds are never issued for Visa Inadmitida, Visa Requerida, or Visa Aprobada statuses.
No. To secure your personalized visa enrollment paperwork, class slot configurations, and local teacher placement allocations, all course fees are fully committed. Once your classes have formally commenced or after your arrival in Colombia, no refunds or tuition rollbacks can be issued for early programmatic termination.
In the case of a visa Inadmitida, Requerida, or Negada, you have the right to choose one of these alternative solutions instead of a cash refund:
- Program Conversion: You can convert your paid tuition directly into another available Spanish program on our website, such as Conversational or Private classes.
- One-Year Credit Reserve: You can hold your paid tuition in reserve as a credit for up to one year from the day of your rejection notice to apply toward a future visa attempt.
- Pre-Approval Consumption: If you choose to start classes before your visa is approved, 25% covers your first month. If later rejected, you receive a 100% refund of the remaining unused monthly funds starting the following month.
85% Minimum Attendance: The Colombian government strictly requires you to attend at least 85% of your scheduled classes.
- Academic Records Hold: If you default on payments or fail to meet behavioral standards, your transcripts and official student records will not be released or transferred.
The School’s duties and obligations under the student contract shall be suspended immediately without notice during all periods that the School is closed because of force majeure events.
- What is covered: This includes, but is not limited to, any fire, act of God, hurricane, war, governmental action, act of terrorism, epidemic, pandemic, or any other event beyond the School’s control.
- Postponement, Not Cancellation: If such an event occurs, the School’s duties and obligations will be postponed until such time as the School, in its sole discretion, may safely reopen.
- Refund Exclusion: In the event that the School cannot reopen due to a force majeure event, the School is under no obligation to refund any portion of the tuition paid.
We understand travel plans and work schedules change. However, to protect our teachers’ time slots, we enforce a strict notification rule:
- More than 24 Hours’ Notice: You may postpone or cancel a group session without penalty by emailing us at
pqrsolsainternational@gmail.comat least 24 hours before class. - Less than 24 Hours’ Notice: If you cancel within the 24-hour window, you will be charged a standard $8 USD rescheduling fee to restore and rebook that missed class session.
- More than 24 Hours’ Notice: You may postpone or cancel a group session without penalty by emailing us at
As a general rule, OLSA does not issue refunds for any completed or committed classes, courses, excursions, or events.
- The Emergency Exception: In the event of a verifiable, documentable medical or personal emergency, short-term immersion students may formally petition the School administration for a 75% refund of their remaining unused programmatic credit. The School Administration retains sole discretion over all final approval decision.
No. By completing enrollment at OLSA International, all students knowingly and freely assume all operational risks, both known and unknown. This complete Release of Liability and Assumption of Risk Agreement covers full personal participation in any academic class, outdoor excursion (including Parapente or walking tours), shared cultural events, campus lodging, or coordinated airport transport packages hosted by the School. Students are legally required to maintain their own personal international traveler’s insurance for the complete duration of their attendance.
🛡️ Life in Medellín & Student Safety
Yes. Our main campus is located in Barrio Estadio, an authentic, highly walkable, and traditionally safe residential and sporting sector of Medellín. However, as in any major metropolitan city, students should practice common-sense safety measures:
- “No dar papaya”: This is a famous Colombian idiom meaning “don’t put yourself in a vulnerable position.” Avoid walking down public streets while actively texting or flashing expensive jewelry/electronics.
- Transport Safety: We recommend utilizing verified ride-hailing applications (like Cabify or Uber) or ordering regulated radio taxis rather than hailing random street cars at night.
- Dating Apps: We strongly advise against using geolocation dating apps during your stay, as they are a primary source of targeted tourist scams and safety risks in the city.
OLSA International welcomes an incredibly diverse, adult global community. Our student demographic generally ranges from 18 to 65+ years old, comprising digital nomads, retirees, corporate executives, and university study-abroad cohorts.
- Age Requirement: Minors under the age of 18 may only enroll in private, customized intensive courses and must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian during their stay in Colombia.
Colombia has one of the highest numbers of public holidays in the world (typically 18 festivos per year, mostly falling on Mondays).
- School Closure: The physical OLSA campus is closed on official Colombian national holidays.
- Schedule Adjustments: To ensure you receive your full certified academic hours, all classes the would have met on the day of the holiday will meet instead on Wednesday and all Wednesday excursions will be held on the previous, or following, weekend. You never lose your paid instructional time.
No. You do not need to purchase any outside textbooks. OLSA International provides all level-specific learning materials, custom interactive frameworks, and digital worksheets directly through our integrated student curriculum. All you need to bring to your first day of class is a standard notepad, a pen, and an eager attitude to start speaking.
