There are practically quite a number of reasons why people choose to learn Spanish abroad instead of taking classes at a school or university nearest them. Perhaps it is because they want to study while living independently from their parents or maybe studying abroad is more fun. Everyone has their own motivations in studying Spanish abroad.
Studying abroad has its benefits. You will learn more than just the language since you’ll be immersed in the culture and practices of the country. Therefore, in choosing a country to learn Spanish abroad, pick a country that is primarily Spanish-speaking or better yet you go to Spain. This way, what you’ll be learning in-depth is more than just the language but more significantly the culture of Spanish- speaking or Spanish-blooded people.
Secondly, in an international school or university, you’ll get to meet the locals and you’ll get to befriend people from different nations. If you truly desire to learn Spanish abroad, maximise your opportunities by widening your learning horizons. When you meet people from different countries and get to talk to them every day or live with them in the same dormitory or living quarters for the duration of 6 months to a year, to say the least, you’ll be learning more than what you’ve come for. You’ll be surprised how studying abroad helps you get across boundaries and overcome prejudiced views your culture may have influenced you.
Third, a theory without practice is useless. Studying Spanish abroad especially in Spanish-speaking countries gets you to practice the language inside and outside the classroom. You’ll be forced to use the language in restaurants, in the market, at local stores, bookstores and virtually around as you get to interact with the locals. This will eventually make you speak Spanish sooner than you expect. Remember that small encounters improve fluency as you get to practice recurrently what you have learned from the classroom. This is why many students choose to learn Spanish abroad rather than in their own country.
Fourth, it would be impossible not to befriend locals and international people while you’re in the country to learn Spanish abroad. Building friendship will help retain the language in your system forever as you get to communicate with friends regularly. This will also open up international opportunities for you in the future.
Studying abroad is not an easy feat. It is a lifetime investment and a costly one. Depending from which country you come from, there may be a lot of documentaries and legal processes to comply and undergo, but thanks to globalisation and liberalised visa regulations, students who want to learn Spanish abroad can do so without the encumbrances of constraining laws and regulations. This is true in many countries, in the continents of South America, North America, Europe, Australia, Asia and Africa. Studying abroad has its own potentiality that can only be realised when you are physically present in the country you have picked.
