Question for Spanish Immersion travlers

[ORDMDW1]

Is there anyone around these parts who have done the Spanish Immersion trips to be fluent in the language?

I know google exist, but I would like to know what schools you attended and your thoughts of them.

Also, did you stay in a home with a host family or a hotel?

I would like to go somewhere other than Mexico. I'll be 30 soon and would like to explore a lot so I don't think staying with a host family suites me.

Any recommendations would help. Madrid and Buenos Aires are on the top of my list but I am also looking for cheaper options.

[M60_to_LGA]

Originally Posted by ORDMDW1

Is there anyone around these parts who have done the Spanish Immersion trips to be fluent in the language?

I know google exist, but I would like to know what schools you attended and your thoughts of them.

Also, did you stay in a home with a host family or a hotel?

I would like to go somewhere other than Mexico. I'll be 30 soon and would like to explore a lot so I don't think staying with a host family suites me.

Any recommendations would help. Madrid and Buenos Aires are on the top of my list but I am also looking for cheaper options.

I haven't attended any of these schools, but I know people who have, and I've been told that Quito is a great place to study - it's a beautifully preserved colonial city and far cheaper than Madrid or BA.

I have studied Spanish in Madrid, however - university study abroad program. I'd definitely recommend living with native Spanish speakers if you're really trying to learn the language. That doesn't necessarily have to be a family - you might be able to find some younger people looking for a roommate, which would give you far more flexibility in terms of having a social life. Particularly if you're in a big city like Madrid or BA, you could find a housing situation through CL or a local equivalent.

One thing to keep in mind: You don't say how long you're going for, but it takes a long time (think: years of study) to really become proficient in a language, so make sure your expectations for an immersion program are realistic. In a couple of months of intensive study, you should be able to get to a point where you can travel around on your own, engage locals in basic conversations about everyday topics (i.e., not 18th century Central American political history), and handle most everyday-type situations. If you're just thinking of going for a couple of weeks - you use the word "trip" - then you might actually find more value taking a regular old class for a year or so back home, perhaps postponing the immersion until you already have a basic grounding in Spanish and can then progress more rapidly at the intermediate/advanced level.

You might find it helpful to call up the Spanish department at a local university and ask whether someone on the faculty can recommend a program or two.

[ORDMDW1]

I was looking at a two week trip, maybe I could do a month.

I am using a program on my own called Platiquemos. I know of people who just do self study and just go practice abroad that way.

I would be my first time abroad, that in itself makes my nervous hahaha.

Thanks for the tips.

[JohnnyColombia]

That's sound advice from M60_to_LGA. All of it
Bear in mind the less you know the faster your learn rate. I have been learning Spanish for about 8 years and living 4 of those in Colombia and my new vocabulary rate is down to about 1 word every two months.

So don't discount a 2 week trip if you really are dedicated to learning, you will learn plenty and build confidence ready for your next trip

I "immersed" myself in Zaragoza in Spain about 2 weekend a month for a year, they speak my favourite Spanish there in the whole Spanish speaking world.
You really ought to pick somewhere neutral so that your Spanish will travel, I'd avoid Mexico and Cuba. I'd also avoid Colombia. BsAs is beautiful Spanish but a little unconventional. I have heard good things too about Quito, good and cheap. My personal favourite Spanish in Latin America is Perú, I find it quite faithful to the Spanish I learnt in Spain.