The 6 Best Places to Learn Spanish Abroad

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College Study Abroad

Here are our picks for the six best places to study Spanish abroad!!

Where Can You Study Spanish Abroad?

Eager to kick your Spanish language skills into high gear? Looking to learn Spanish abroad in another country? Wondering what the best places to learn Spanish are? Study abroad!  

Living and learning in a Spanish-speaking country is the best way to develop, practice, and/or advance your understanding of the Spanish language. This is as true for beginners as it is for advanced Spanish speakers. Plus, it鈥檚 just plain exciting to fully immerse into a new culture. 

Lucky for you, 黑料网911offers a wide variety of study abroad destinations with 50+ Spanish study abroad programs

And as you begin weighing your options, bear in mind: 

  • Your preferred Spanish variant. Like with any language, the pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar of Spanish varies from region to region. Consider if you want to stick with the variation you鈥檙e already familiar with (such as LATAM Spanish or Spain鈥檚 Castilian Spanish), or if you want to expand your understanding by studying a new variation. 
  • Your goal. Beyond language acquisition and cultural immersion, what are you hoping to accomplish? Perhaps you want to take certain classes to advance your college major or diversify your resume with an international internship. Both are excellent goals and are available in Spanish-speaking countries through CIEE鈥檚 exceptional programming. 
  • Your timing. Some students are eager to spend a full semester abroad, while others have less flexibility in their schedules and choose shorter blocks of time. All options are on the table. See what fits best with your goals and life. 

Now, let鈥檚 unpack the 6 best places to learn Spanish abroad.

1. Argentina 

Argentina of course makes our list. After all, this vast country is the most popular tourist destination in South America. And not just for its championship f煤tbol team! Argentina boasts one of the world鈥檚 most interesting landscapes, the second-largest economy in South America, and a thriving arts scene. It even has the most bookstores per capita in the world! 

CIEE鈥檚 Argentinian programs are based in the populous capital of Buenos Aires, which has been ranked the best city in Latin America by QS Top Universities for academic excellence and its fantastic student life. Explore this colorful society through the arts community, delicious cuisine, museums, dance lessons, and so much more. See for yourself why it鈥檚 affectionately nicknamed 鈥渢he Paris of South America.鈥 

There are a ton of ways to experience Argentina through CIEE, including summer, January, semester-long, and six-week block programs.  

2. Chile 

Chile, home to beautiful contrasting landscapes and a rapidly developing economy, is an amazing place to live and learn. Our students are based in the capital city of Santiago, where in one day, you can ski high up in the Andes and catch waves in the Pacific Ocean. No kidding!  

Everything seems to be going on in Santiago de Chile. Including a booming green industry, startup sectors, and a bustling financial district. It鈥檚 definitely one of the best Spanish-speaking countries to study abroad in 

As a student, you鈥檒l be able to immerse yourself in the Chilean culture and Spanish language by visiting museums, exploring the local arts scene, and so much more. Learn more about our study abroad programs, including summer, semester, and six-week Open Campus Block opportunities, in Chile.  

3. Costa Rica 

Costa Rica is an amazing place to study abroad, especially for STEM students, biology majors, and those interested in today鈥檚 pressing environmental issues. In Costa Rica, you鈥檒l experience the beautiful nature and biodiversity of the region in the town of Monteverde. Home to more than 2,500 species of plants, 60 kinds of amphibians, 100 types of mammals, and 450 bird species, Monteverde is a biological paradise!  

During your program, you can expect to gain hands-on field experience, learn Spanish abroad, and explore the culture. You can even live with local families on the edge of a world-famous cloud forest! And, through CIEE, you can opt to pursue academic coursework, an internship, or volunteer. 

If you decide to intern abroad, you'll conduct essential research to help local farmers become carbon-neutral in their land use practices. You'll also present the information in a workshop, in Spanish, to the farmers and the Ministry of Agriculture.  

If you opt to volunteer abroad, you鈥檒l help work to offset the carbon emissions associated with your study abroad travels to Costa Rica by participating in a local reforestation project. This project helps with local conservation, agriculture, and climate change mitigation.  

4. Dominican Republic 

The Dominican Republic is another truly wonderful Spanish-speaking country for study abroad students. To start, it鈥檚 a tropical paradise. What鈥檚 not to love about that? But trust us, there鈥檚 so much more to it!  

While studying on this island nation, you鈥檒l be based in the city of Santiago de los Caballeros where you can explore the Caribbean culture, traditions, language, and more. Immerse yourself in a developing nation where you will not only improve your Spanish, but learn about the evolution of society, culture, economics, and politics of the island of Hispaniola, which the Dominican Republic shares with Haiti.  

Santiago de los Caballeros has a population of almost 1 million, and yet it still feels like a small town. People are warm and hospitable, and students feel welcomed with open arms and hearts! Here, 黑料网911offers a wide range of study abroad opportunities including community public health and liberal arts programs.  

5. Mexico 

Study abroad in Mexico and experience life on the beautiful and affordable 驰耻肠补迟谩苍 Peninsula. This vast coastal region is famous for its stunning beaches, ancient Mayan ruins, and fascinating colonial cities. And it鈥檚 all just over an hour's flight from the U.S. mainland. 

Dive into Mexican culture by living with a host family, joining study tours and city excursions, and even volunteering in the community. We offer six-week programs through CIEE鈥檚 Open Campus Block program, a summer STEM + Society program, January courses, and a semester Liberal Arts program. Courses are taught in English and Spanish.   

6. Spain 

And of course, there鈥檚 Spainperhaps the most obvious place to study Spanish. The vibrant, beautiful, and tourist-friendly country of Spain boasts world-class education, a breathtaking landscape, an exceptional climate, and a lifestyle that exudes eat, drink, and be merry! There is so much to do and see here that we offer programs in five Spanish cities: 

  • Barcelona -- a beautiful Mediterranean citadel  
  • Alcal谩 de Henares --a quaint and historical city located in the province of Madrid 
  • Seville -- an exciting and historically significant city 
  • Madrid -- Spain鈥檚 capital city 
  • Palma de Mallorca -- a dreamy Mediterranean island 

When you study Spanish abroad in Spain, will have access to homestays, internships, volunteer opportunities, and direct enrollment options with exciting co-curricular opportunities and excursions that will give you the full flavor of Spain. 

Get Your Spanish On!

There鈥檚 a lot to love about our study abroad programs in Spanish-speaking countries. And there鈥檚 no time like the present to begin dreaming up where to put your Spanish language skills into practice abroad. Get started!