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Looks like we will be heading overseas for a few years. We have 3 children and they will be elem/middle school when we go.
We are thinking a Spanish speaking country is where we would like to live as DH and I know limited Spanish and we both really NEED to learn more for our jobs even in the USA.
So.....where would you choose with a family? We aren't as "into" nightlife anymore, but it doesn't mean it would be a negative, we just wouldn't utilize it much.
Thanks,
Dawn
Peru is absolutely facinating -- especially since you have kids. Lots of amazing history (eg, Inca, conquistadores) and topography (Andes mountains, beach, and Amazon jungle). That's where I'd go in a heartbeat.
I would discount a few popular choices on this thread.
AVOID CHILE - easily the safest country in spanish-speaking Latin AMerica...however, the Spanish is quite unique and pretty low on the list for knowing Chilean Spanish. They drop a lot of their syllables near the end, and there are some books on 'Chilean Spanish' to explain the many differences available in Santiago.
AVOID SPAIN - I lived there as well as SOuth America. I can understand the Spanish I hear in the States and in South AMerica...but I couldn't for the life of me understand Spain Spanish. It is really fast and different pronounciation. Additionally, I found that most Spaniards had pretty much zero interest in slowing down for you to understand - exact opposite experience I had in South America. On the SAFETY level, I've never met as many pickpockets in my life as I had encountered in Barcelona Spain. Oh, and places like Barcelona and other cities have a different language altogether, so you have to be careful where you're going to learn your European Spanish as well.
AVOID PERU - Actually this is the BEST region to study Spanish - Andean Spanish. They speak very clear and phonetic, etc. However Peru IS dangerous. Tons of people trying to get something from you all the time.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
BOLIVIA - I found Bolivia to be quite safe, friendly, Andean Spanish where it is also phonetic and well-spoken. People in Bolivia could really care less about you (in a good way). In that people aren't trying to engage you to get money from you (like Peru for example).
MEXICO - Mexicans are friendly people, and the culture is rich. The food is far better in Mexico than any other spanish speaking country as well. PLUS, you are right next to the States, and this is THE spanish you'll probably need to know if you are working for an American company requiring it.
Maybe it's just me, but I would stay the hell away from Mexico. 50% of the population lives in poverty and the crime is high, plus you got a drug war going on, low standard of living etc. Yeah, I uess if you have enough $$$, then you can buy yourself a place in Mexico's Beverly Hills, but other than that... umm no!
Hi! I plan on learning Spanish at home for the next two months and then traveling to a Latin American country to enroll in an immersion program for a month. My question is: in which city should I study? The most important factor for me is safety since I am a female in my 20s and will be traveling alone. Also, I would like to be somewhere that has things to do/see (I will be there for a month, after all). I was considering Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, or Mexico. At first, I was favoring Chile--but is Chilean Spanish really that different that I should definitely avoid it? I've heard that Peru can be dangerous in the "downtown" of Lima, but is safe in Miraflores--is that true? What about Costa Rica? Now I'm thinking that I should go to Mexico to study since I'm in California and that would be the kind of Spanish that would be most useful for me. I was thinking Veracruz, Queretaro, or Oaxaca City. Do those sound good? Any one "better" than the other? Help! Also, if anyone knows of good immersion schools in the area that would be helpful too. Thanks so much!!!
Correct regarding Lima. Miraflores is safe but downtown can be dangerous.
Stay away from Colombia I went there recently and was attacked my first day there in Cartagena. They broke my collar bone and in addition to the severe pain I cannot use my right arm at all.
Correct regarding Lima. Miraflores is safe but downtown can be dangerous.
Stay away from Colombia I went there recently and was attacked my first day there in Cartagena. They broke my collar bone and in addition to the severe pain I cannot use my right arm at all.
Oh my gosh, so sorry to hear that! No offense to anyone, but, yeah I had heard Columbians speak nice/"pure" spanish, but that it's dangerous, so...no thanks.
The easiest to get work permits, etc. in would probably be Puerto Rico, if you're an American citizen. I've heard good things about Belize, too.
The language in Belize is English. Also, I fell in love with the city of Veracruz, wonderful food, gracious people, nice beaches, very few gringos. uh,....soy gringo puro.
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Spanish immersion in Latin America
