blindkite

I'm a current high school senior and am looking for a study abroad program to learn Spanish this summer. I'd love to go to Spain or somewhere in South America.

I've searched the internet and it's hard to figure out if a program is reliable or just trying to rob people of their money. My guidance counselor and spanish teacher also don't have any information.

Does anyone have any experience with this?

tickytock14

I went to an amazing program in Mexico last summer. It was also very inexpensive.

Learn Spanish in Mexico - San Miguel de Allende - Academia Hispano Americana

one of these days I'm going to get around to posting detailed information about my time there, but for now just let me know if you have any questions.

blindkite

I'm more interested in learning spanish than building up a resume, but will this particular program look good on a resume?

How long did you spend there? What was your spanish background like before the program? How much did you feel you improved?

I'd love a detailed post. If you ever have the time..

blindkite

Oh, also, how will I know what level to sign up for? I'm currently in AP Spanish but my Spanish is definitely subpar.

tickytock14

I'm not sure about the resume, but it definitely can't hurt! It shows a lot of independence. You can also get college credit from the courses at some schools.

I was there for a four week session, though I arrived two days late. I had taken three years of Spanish and wanted to skip into AP, which I was able to do without problem. The classes aren't superamazing--your improvement is pretty much a function of what you put into it. I tried to use my Spanish almost 24/7 (except when hanging out with friends), and this helped a lot.

They actually test you to determine which level you'll take, and you can move up or down as needed. I'm guessing you'd be in V, maybe VI?

I plan to write more about it this weekend after the Spanish SAT II, haha.

jangel86

I've done summer programs in Ecuador (www.latinoschools.com/) and Costa Rica (http://www.interculturacostarica.com/). You can do from as few as 2 weeks to the entire summer. Both are about $300-350/week, and have immersion classes for 4 hours a day, and include a homestay with 2 meals a day. The school in Ecuador offers college-level classes, and credit, but the school in Costa Rica has many more cultural activities for free.

I really enjoyed both, but in terms of improving Spanish, you really have to make an effort, because it is really easy to just go through the entire program just speaking English to the other Americans in the program.

csleslie51

Try BridgeAbroad | Study Abroad, Language Courses Abroad, Language Schools, Language Immersion for south america.
Don't overlook Mexico. There are some great and quite inexpensive programs there:
TEC de Monterrey System - Study in Mexico
Universidad Autonoma de Chihuahua - Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua - Tradición con Futuro
CONAHEC student exchange program - CONAHEC (30+ institutions in Mexico and Canada
Spanish & cultural studies in Mexico - Fenix Language Institute- Spanish Language School in Zacatecas - Mexico

rainmama

I'm reviving this old thread to ask if anyone can recommend a program for a beginning Spanish course. Student speaks French, and is pretty good with languages, so could probably move quickly. But do any of these places offer courses for a novice? The one in San Miguel looks great, but I can't tell about the level of instruction. Also, could one begin in September/October, even though that is the tenth session? Thanks!

mimimomx3

Has anyone been to summerschool in Bogota Colombia?