| By :
Ken Ingraham
When you study Spanish abroad, it is important to realize that you really can put together your own itinerary. You really shouldn't look at this trip as you would the rest of your academic life where you are required to participate in certain mandatory activities and mandatory classes. Remember that is possible to consider your personal interests first and build your trip around those aspects. 1. Choose a City that Suits You Best Many of the cities in Latin America have side benefits that you may have never even considered. For example, the cities of Santiago and Mendoza are perfect for snowboarding and rock climbing in the Andes Mountains. In Buenos Aires, you can learn to dance the tango and visit an authentic estancia. Peru is one of the most exciting destinations in the world and has some of the premiere tourist destinations in the world like Macchu Picchu. Consider your interests and preference for terrain and select the city that sounds the most appealing to you. Don't forget that you can also arrange to study in a few different Latin American cities, so that you can get to know a few different regions. 2. Consider Add-on Activities You can also select add-ons to your educational experience that will offer different skills that will complement your studies. For example, you can volunteer, intern or even participate in a medical shadow program. Activities and classes can also be more oriented towards entertainmment. Some schools arrange classes in recreational activities such as snowboarding or tango classes. 3. Flexible Dates Another benefit when you study Spanish abroad is that you can choose start dates that take place throughout the year. You can also sign up for courses of various durations. Keep in mind that each four-week block is equal to one college semester. In general, students can learn Spanish overseas for as short of a time span as 2 weeks and as long as 6 months. 4. A Variety of Housing Options While in college, your only option may be the dorms, when you study abroad you can select from a variety of housing options. A majority of students live with a local family. Kristen Schulz, an American student who attended school in Cusco stated, "ECELA also did a great job setting me up with a host family. Judith was an awesome host mom. She went out of her way to help me out, showed me around Cusco, cooked great food, and really made me feel at home while I was there." There is also the possibility to get a shared apartment with other students. Your explorations of Latin America will only serve to strengthen your understanding for the Spanish language and culture. It is possible to learn Spanish overseas while also creating for yourself an ideal travel experience that you will remember for the rest of your life.
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