Learn Spanish Abroad
If you want to truly be fluent in Spanish, you have to immerse yourself in the language. This is one of the many reasons why you would want to learn Spanish abroad. This type of learning forces you to speak Spanish often and also will get you to start thinking in Spanish as well. Because you are in a foreign country, you have to use the language day and night if you want to communicate. You will find that you pick up words and phrases constantly, as you interact with local people.
The thought to learn Spanish abroad can be scary, especially if you do not have a lot of experience with using the language. I would recommend brushing up on some basic Spanish before actually going to a foreign country, as it is good to be able to get around the airport and get directions from people once you arrive. One thing that can help you get a foundation in Spanish very quickly is Spanish online lessons. Online Spanish programs are great for getting the basics of the language down before taking a trip overseas to study.
There are many agencies that will help you learn Spanish abroad, from setting you up with a Spanish school to helping you find a host family. I went to Quito, Ecuador for six weeks in the spring of 2008 and took one-on-one classes for thirty hours per week. It was an amazing opportunity for me to practice conversational Spanish, and I can honestly say that this is the best way to learn Spanish. I also stayed with a host family while in Quito, and they were very nice people. I had many conversations with all of the members of the family, and that was another excellent opportunity to learn new phrases and speak the language.
I have also taken classes in Santo Domingo, in the Dominican Republic to learn Spanish abroad. This experience was different from my studying in Quito, because I did not use a company to help me find a school or a place to stay. I was satisfied with the class, but would have preferred to go with a company to book everything all at once. Doing it this way allows you to really streamline your whole trip, and can also save you a considerable amount of money on things like food and hotel/hostel accomodations.
If you are indeed looking to learn Spanish abroad, and are seeking a package that will include your classes, lodging and meals, don Quijote is a company that provides all of these services and more. They offer instruction in many locations throughout Spain and Latin America, with lots of course packages to choose from. Don Quijote also has a growing online community of Spanish learners that is greater than 70,000 people.