We spoke with Matthew Sellier, a recent high school graduate from Cape Town, South Africa, who had just begun his gap year journey of ten months in South America.
He will spend a total of nine months taking Spanish immersion classes at all six of our Ecela school locations, and he has already gleaned some insightful academic lesson and life-altering insights from his first location, Buenos Aires.
Let Matthew tell you himself about his Spanish hang-ups, where to go when you’re hot and tired, and how a solemn trip to a cemetery can be used for balance.
0:27 – Spanish in Canada for two phrases
1:01 – Older brother’s influence
1:58 – Was South America the right choice?
2:54 – Month 1 Spanish ability update
4:04 – A gap year: What? Why?
5:20 – Matthew’s gap year details
6:12 – Relaxed conversation class topics
7:44 – Vacated holiday in Buenos Aires
8:51 – Por y para, a thorn in one’s side
10:04 – Who attends Ecela?
10:59 – Fast friends
11:44 – Advice for very shy people
12:37 – Lunch, walks, activities, friends, homework
14:05 – Buenos Aires & Mendoza safety
15:28 – Shared apartment & shared apartment-type homestay
17:59 – Sobering cemetery visit at Recoleta Cemetary
20:07 – Nightlife in Buenos Aires & Mendoza
23:13 – Getting out there to speak bolstered confidence
24:00 – Argentinean culture = South African culture?
26:12 – “Ice Cream German”
Matthew at his final stop (Lima).