subject: Planning to Study Spanish Abroad - Part 1 of 5: How to Choose a Location [print this page] Planning to Study Spanish Abroad - Part 1 of 5: How to Choose a Location
Currently, an increasing number of students from around the world are looking to learn to speak Spanish. The reasons for why people choose to study this language are varied. Some decide to master Spanish for professional reasons. After all, knowledge of the language is a fantastic credential to have under one's belt. Others simply love Spanish and seek to study it due to a personal affinity.Regardless of the reason behind the decision, those seeking to learn this language, often choose to study Spanish abroad. This is a phenomenal way to quickly master the language and also to immerse oneself in a new culture. But there are more than a dozen countries with Spanish schools. So what are the best guidelines to follow to choose the best location?1. SafetyThe most important factor to take into account is safety. After all, what's the point of learning Spanish if you might not return? Of the major Spanish school centers, Mexico is perhaps the least safe option these days due to the ongoing drug wars in the region. Venezuela and Bolivia are also not recommended choices, as both of these countries are politically unstable. Additionally, there have been reports of assaults on foreigners in Bolivia. On the other hand, when you are seeking the safest countries, Chile, Spain, and Cuba are typically at the top of the list.2. Regional AccentsWhen you study Spanish abroad, it is also a good idea to consider the ease of understanding the language in the various countries. The regional accents in Peru, Ecuador and Puerto Rico are typically the simplest for beginners to understand. Conversely, accents in Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia are considered more difficult for people who are new to the language.Of course, challenging oneself with varied accents can be great for learning as it forces students to develop a good ear. Unfortunately, some of the countries with the easiest accents don't have forms of transportation that are simple for beginning Spanish speakers to understand. When it comes to both accents and ease of use of transportation, we recommend that you learn Spanish in Argentina. People in this country speak with a moderate regional accent, and it is easy for non-Spanish speakers to get around in Buenos Aires by subways and buses.3. CultureWhen you are considering the location in which you want to study, keep in mind the fact that you will also be doing quite a bit of sightseeing. Consider what kind of cultural activities are most intriguing to you. For example, if ancient ruins are thrilling to you, the best places to travel are Peru, and Guatemala, Mexico. For art lovers, the countries of Spain, Argentina, and Colombia receive the highest recommendations.4. Sports and RecreationAnother topic that you should consider before choosing a location for your travel is sports and recreation. When it comes to outdoor sports, Chile has great beaches for surfing, and mountains for snowboarding and hiking. All of these recreational activities are accessible from Santiago. The city also offers great climbing instructors. Many people chose to study Spanish in Argentina or even Spain due to the excellent soccer and basketball. Peru, Ecuador, and of course Costa Rica attract surfers and scuba divers.5. WeatherDo would you prefer to study in a warm climate or somewhere cold and snowy? Weather is another important consideration when you decide to study Spanish abroad. Lima has a comfortable climate year round, thanks to its oceanside location.It is also a possibility to study in the tropics, which would include Colombia, Cuba or Costa Rica. Many winter sport enthusiasts head south to Argentina (Mendoza) and Chile (Santiago) as these cities offer world-class snowboarding. Keep in mind that the winter seasons is June-September.The bottom line is that no place is perfect. Often savvy students do a three-month program so that they can sample various locations. If you want to try out this sort of schedule, you could experience three locations for two weeks each, then spending the remaining six weeks in your favorite locale.Pick a school group with multiple locations so that you can experience an easy transition from place to place. Everyone has his or her own personal preferences. If you keep factors like safety, regional accents, culture, sports and weather in mind, you can organize the trip that best suits your personality and interests.
