Study Aborad Anyone? (cost, schools, pay, program) - Higher education - City-Data Forum

CollegeGuy9 · 08-30-2009, 03:32 PM

Anyone know of an excellent study aboard program offering Spanish language immersion.

Florida State University is near the top of the list, but what other programs are out there?

charolastra00 · 08-30-2009, 04:14 PM

I highly recommend any of the SIT (School for International Training) programs. I did SIT Mexico and while I ran into some non-program related problems, I loved it. I also did SIT Iceland and went to England through Arcadia University.

SIT has a summer program in Panama and semester programs in Chile, Argentina, Peru, Spain, and Ecuador (possibly more) for their Spanish speaking programs. Each is themed- for instance, my Mexico program was on Grassroots Development and Social Change. The Ecuador program focuses on environmental issues.

My preference is against the typical college experience abroad (which I did in England where I was taking classes at a British uni) but rather more experiential learning and homestays.

Pupmom · 08-31-2009, 12:26 PM

Cross Cultural Study has a progra in Argentina- with University of Cordoba-students live with a family. Fantastic program.

Mrs. 14th & You · 08-31-2009, 02:09 PM

Boston University has very high rated study abroad programs. In many countries they even offer the opportunity to take unpaid internships for credit while you also take classes in your core field of study. If you would ever like to work internationally, this is a great opportunity. Years ago I participated in the London Internship Program and was able to work at BBC Worldwide.

StarlaJane · 08-31-2009, 08:45 PM

The University of Texas. However, language schools that are not affiliated with universities are also a great way--even better than study abroad, IMO--to learn a language and experience full immersion. In fact, I went to a language school in Guatemala for a summer and placed out of 1 year of college-level Spanish when I got back.

fierce_flawless · 08-31-2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

The University of Texas. However, language schools that are not affiliated with universities are also a great way--even better than study abroad, IMO--to learn a language and experience full immersion. In fact, I went to a language school in Guatemala for a summer and placed out of 1 year of college-level Spanish when I got back.

I am curious about programs like that. How expensive are they? How do you know if you'll be safe? How long would you need to participate to really fully be "immersed"?

Just curious. Both my partner and I are wanting to learn Spanish. She is taking beginning Spanish currently at our jr. college.

CollegeGuy9 · 08-31-2009, 10:22 PM

Further details...

Ideally it would be a certificate program (undergrad or graduate certificate) from a traditional university. That way I would be eligible for federal financial aid.

StarlaJane · 09-02-2009, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

I am curious about programs like that. How expensive are they? How do you know if you'll be safe? How long would you need to participate to really fully be "immersed"?

Just curious. Both my partner and I are wanting to learn Spanish. She is taking beginning Spanish currently at our jr. college.

They usually cost about the same as study abroad but I like them more than study abroad b/c [in some places/programs] you receive one-on-one instruction.
I went to a language school in Guatemala. You are just as safe (usually) at those schools than with a university-affiliated study abroad program--both types of schools usually have a staff that is looking out for you. If you are concerned about safety, then I don't recommend Guatemala; it is a third-world country when compared to the rest of Latin America. But if you can get over that, I highly recommend it. The language school that I went to is fabulous--one-on-one instruction and you live with a local family (you have a private room and bathroom) so you are definitely immersed. When I went there (granted 10+ years ago), it was $300 per person per week (+airfare and incidentals.)
Obviously, if you go to Spain, it will be much more expensive, as the euro is very strong right now. But it sounds to me like Argentina or Costa Rica would be good for you (both still have much more crime than the average U.S. city, though, so be aware, especially in the larger cities like B.A. and San Jose; you're really not going to get away from crime, especially right now. Mexico is out-of-the-question.)
Here is a link:
Learn Spanish, Spanish courses
I have never used this particular lang school but I have thought about it. You can always ask for references.

fierce_flawless · 09-02-2009, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlaJane

They usually cost about the same as study abroad but I like them more than study abroad b/c [in some places/programs] you receive one-on-one instruction.
I went to a language school in Guatemala. You are just as safe (usually) at those schools than with a university-affiliated study abroad program--both types of schools usually have a staff that is looking out for you. If you are concerned about safety, then I don't recommend Guatemala; it is a third-world country when compared to the rest of Latin America. But if you can get over that, I highly recommend it. The language school that I went to is fabulous--one-on-one instruction and you live with a local family (you have a private room and bathroom) so you are definitely immersed. When I went there (granted 10+ years ago), it was $300 per person per week (+airfare and incidentals.)
Obviously, if you go to Spain, it will be much more expensive, as the euro is very strong right now. But it sounds to me like Argentina or Costa Rica would be good for you (both still have much more crime than the average U.S. city, though, so be aware, especially in the larger cities like B.A. and San Jose; you're really not going to get away from crime, especially right now. Mexico is out-of-the-question.)
Here is a link:
Learn Spanish, Spanish courses
I have never used this particular lang school but I have thought about it. You can always ask for references.

Thanks for all the info! Wow.

I remember reading about programs (not affiliated with schools) where you could just stay with a host family for a couple weeks and pay a small amount of money for an "immersion" experience. Those were all in Mexico. Too bad about Mexico though. It's so darn close to us!!!

charolastra00 · 09-02-2009, 06:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fierce_flawless

Thanks for all the info! Wow.

I remember reading about programs (not affiliated with schools) where you could just stay with a host family for a couple weeks and pay a small amount of money for an "immersion" experience. Those were all in Mexico. Too bad about Mexico though. It's so darn close to us!!!

Mexico being out of the question is ridiculous.

I highly recommend going a smaller city like Oaxaca or San Cristobal (both are extraordinarily magical cities) where there isn't a huge crime problem and the language schools are great. I studied abroad in Mexico on a program, but we were enrolled in a local language school in Oaxaca. All teachers spoke fluent English as well and did a great job.