I would like to start Ballroom, and I would like to compete ultimately. I am interested in waltz and fox trot mainly, but my question is do I have to learn the international style in order to compete? the places where I am thinking about taking lessons don't have a lot of international style classes, mainly american style, is it still ok to good even if i wanna compete?

There are competitions in American style. Generally though someone who really knows what they are doing will be able to teach both - there are many pros who choose to compete in american style themselves, but pretty much all of the good ones have international style students, often even students they do pro/am competitions with in international style. Latin and rhythm have some real technical differences, but smooth and standard are just two applications of the same set of base skills.

American style, while easier than International and popular, is not competed anywhere except here in the USA.

The consensus is that International style is the more challenging technique.

Pro-am and social dance relies heavily on American style - if you are not interested in real competition but merely Pro-am, I'd suggest you do American. Ditto the 'social scene'.

One side note: There are many studios out there. Merely going to the most convenient is not a good way to go - be an educated consumer and look around.

The best coaches are usually independent (plus, they're usually much cheaper than 6 week wonders or chain salesfolks) and they do not offer 'contracts'.

Do a search here and other sites re: lessoning.

American style is also competed in Canada.

thanks for the help, I am in New York, New York, it is such a big city, and I was able to find only a handful of places that look good, i look ed on this website and on the yellow pages, but there seems to be always something wrong about one place. one is too big (intimidating) one is too small ( not too much choice for classes) one too expensive (most of them expensive) its a jungle here.
other question: are most competitions held on saturday? if i cant do anything on saturday, is it a serious handicap?