Currently, many individuals across the globe are seeking to learn Spanish. The reasons for why people choose to study this language are varied. Some decide to master Spanish for professional reasons. After all, knowledge of the language is a fantastic credential to have under one’s belt. Others simply love Spanish and seek to study it due to a personal affinity and keep their minds sharp.
Regardless of the reason behind the decision, those seeking to learn Spanish often choose to study abroad. This is a cost-effective, time-efficient way to quickly master the language and also to immerse oneself in a new culture. There are actually over a dozen countries 
with Spanish language schools. So what are the best guidelines to follow to choose the best location?
1. Safety
The most important factor to take into account is safety. After all, what’s the point of learning Spanish if you might not return? Of the major Spanish school centers, Mexico is perhaps the least safe option due to the ongoing drug wars in the region. Venezuela and Bolivia are also not recommended choices, as both of these countries are politically unstable. Additionally, there have been reports of assaults on foreigners in Bolivia. When you are seeking the safest countries, Chile, Spain, and Cuba are typically at the top of the list.
One of ECELA’s top concerns if the safety of our students. We have chosen school locations in middle to upper class neighborhoods where we know it to be safe. There are many things to see and do nearby each of our schools and they are safe at all hours, provided that you use your common sense in exploring the city. Take, for example, the Providencia neighborhood in which our Santiago, Chile school is located. This area of Santiago ranks very high in the Human Development Index, which ranks cities and countries by its level of development and progress. The rest of our school locations are of the same standard and are in the safest areas of each city.
2. Regional Accents
When you study Spanish abroad, it is also a good idea to consider the ease of understanding the language in the various countries. The regional accents in Peru, Ecuador and Puerto Rico are typically the simplest for beginners to understand. Conversely, accents in Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia are considered more difficult for people who are new to the language.
Of course, challenging oneself with varied accents can be great for learning as it forces students to develop a good ear. Unfortunately, some of the countries with the easiest accents don’t have forms of transportation that are simple for beginning Spanish speakers to understand. When it comes to both accents and ease of use of transportation, we recommend that you learn Spanish in Argentina. People in this country speak with a moderate regional accent, and it is easy for non-Spanish speakers to get around in Buenos Aires by subways and buses.
You can also move from an ECELA school in an area with a more-easily understood accent to an ECELA school in another region. We offer multi-location programs and recommend them for students who will be spending a month or more studying abroad.
3. Culture
When you are considering the location in which you want to study, keep in mind the fact that you will also be doing quite a bit of sightseeing. Consider what kind of cultural activities are most intriguing to you. For example, if ancient ruins are thrilling to you, the best places to travel are Peru, and Guatemala, Mexico. For art lovers, the countries of Spain, Argentina, and Colombia receive the highest recommendations.
If you would like advice on which location suits you best, e-mail us at info@ecela.com. Let us know your likes and dislikes and we can do the rest!
4. Sports and Recreation
Another topic that you should consider before choosing a location for your travel is sports and recreation. When it comes to outdoor sports, Chile has great beaches for surfing, and mountains for snowboarding and hiking. All of these recreational activities are accessible from Santiago. The city also offers great climbing instructors. Many people chose to learn Spanish in Argentina or Spain due to the excellent soccer and basketball. Cusco and Lima, Peru, Ecuador, and of course Costa Rica attract surfers and scuba divers.
If surfing interests you, learn more about our Spanish & Surf program in Lima, Peru!
5. Weather
Do would you prefer to study in a warm climate or somewhere cold and snowy? Weather is another important consideration when you decide to study Spanish abroad. Lima has a comfortable climate year round, thanks to its oceanside location.
It is also a possibility to study in the tropics, which would include Colombia, Cuba or Costa Rica. Many winter sport enthusiasts head south to Argentina (Mendoza) and Chile (Santiago) as these cities offer world-class snowboarding. Keep in mind that the winter season runs roughly from June through September.
The bottom line is that no place is perfect. Oftentimes, ECELA students do a three-month program so that they can sample various locations. If you want to try out this sort of schedule, you could experience three locations for two weeks each, then spending the remaining six weeks in your favorite locale.