Study Abroad Bloggers

3 Eco-Friendly Places to Study Spanish in Costa Rica

Lately, there's been so much buzz about Costa Rica - one of the worlds tops spots for "eco-tourism"!  More and more Americans and Europeans are discovering the country's abundantly lush wonderland, burgeoning outdoor entertainment, and epic flora and fauna.  The land and wildlife in Costa Rica has been preserved since a law banning logging was put into place in 1970, and since then several entrepreneurs have developed various outdoor attractions all over the country.  While studying Spanish in Costa Rica, students can surf, hike through the rainforest, soar through a zip line course, spot exotic birds and monkeys, and much more.  We've rounded up a trio of our favorites to share with you.

Try the Claro Initiative for Free Spanish Lessons

If you are interested in learning or improving your Spanish but don't have the time to enroll in traditional courses or study abroad, there is another alternative. We've come across a really great offer from the Claro Initiative. For those in social work, law enforcement, school teachers, ministerial, and medical professionals are eligible to receive Bilingual America's Spanish Power course (Basic to Expert level). This is a great opportunity for critical service professionals to learn, improve, or practice Spanish. If you are in one of the above professions, click to go to the Claro Initiative for this special offer. 

If you are not involved in one of the above professions, you can still get a free trial of Spanish Power through Bilingual America. We really like the Spanish Power courses, they are complete, results-driven Spanish courses. While we wish everybody could study abroad, sometimes it's not possible so this is the next best thing!

5 Cool Facts About Denia, Spain

  Most people have never heard of the gorgeous and quaint beachfront town of Denia, but it is well worth a trip. Located between the more familiar beach towns of Valencia and Alicante on the 'Costa Blanca', Denia is quaint, warm, and a perfect place to study Spanish.

Spanish in Cartagena, Colombia

When researching locations for Spanish study abroad, South America may not be in your scope, let alone Cartagena, Colombia.  Colombia has gotten a bad rap in the past, but it's made a turnaround, and many are not aware of its culturally rich areas like Cartagena. 

5 Landmarks to See While Studying Spanish in Madrid

Madrid is an ideal place to study Spanish, as it is the largest and most centrally located city in the country.  It is amazing things to offer all kinds of travelers, whether they enjoy art, food, history, nightlife, or all of the above.  We've rounded up the best landmarks of the city that we strongly encourage you to see once you get there!

  1. Plaza Mayor

One of the most recognized and visited places in Madrid, the Plaza Mayor is a large common area that offers lots of history, activities, and people watching!  Here you can have a seat and watch locals, tourists, street performers, and often festivals and other happenings.  Nearby is the Mercado San Miguel, which is a great place to find fresh and delicious Spanish food!

Language and Professional Development

Think you have to be a student or retired to study a language abroad?  Think again!

Most people are unaware of the fact that they can combine business and pleasure abroad by taking language classes specifically geared towards their line of work!  And we're not just talking about foreign language teachers, either!  Thousands of companies around the world each day benefit from employees with a knowledge of more than one language, and as a global economy thrives, job seekers with knowledge of more than one language can be a more valuable asset than ever!

Spanish in Merida, Mexico

Merida, Mexico is a grand city close to Mayan ruins and a glorious coastline.  It offers a great atmosphere for studying Spanish, as it is not as touristy as other Mexican cities and has something for everyone. 

Merida is located in the Yucatan region of Mexico and still retains much of its Mayan heritage.  Bul keken, for example, is a Yucateco soup whose name is Mayan for "Beans and pork."  Many foods here contain "Achiote," a spice made from one of the regions most plentiful crops - hard Anatto seed.

Study Spanish in the Dominican Republic!

  The Dominican Republic is a gorgeous paradise, offering many of the Caribbean amenities you'd expect: palm trees, vibrant color, fascinating indigenous heritage, exotic animal and plant life, and lots of fun things to do!  AllStudyAbroad has always been a proponent of this magical country, and we have always encouraged students to consider studying Spanish in the Dominican Republic! 

Study German in Bamberg, Germany

Most people have never heard of Bamberg, let alone considered it a viable location for studying German abroad.  When many of us think of Germany, we might think of the Alps, beer, sauerkraut, sausages, oompa bands and leiderhosen, and we might visualize the country's layout as consisting of many small villages surrounding the metropolises of Berlin and Munich.  But such is not the case!  Germany, as it turns out, has many cities and differing regions, and Bamberg is no exception!

French in Paris, the "City of Lights"

Paris, the "City of Lights" has been an international cultural hub for centuries.  It has an history reminiscent of ancient European pastiche and remains a strong and unique modern influence on the global market.  Studying French in Paris is more amazing and breathtaking than you could imagine.

Whether you're into high fashion and couture, classic Rococo or Impressionist Art, Foie Gras or expertly aged cheeses and wines, classical music or 60's style "ye-ye," Paris offers quaint beauty and an intricate backdrop that will appeal to something in everyone.  And, if you have any interest in seeing other parts of France, it makes a great launch pad.  Paris is just a short train ride away from Normandy, Aix-en-Provence, Nice, and virtually every other point of interest within the country.  One could even extend their language immersion to a Francophone region of Switzerland!