Currently, a wide variety of people around the world seek to learn Spanish. The reasons 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 your belt. Others simply love Spanish and seek to study it out of personal affinity.

Regardless of the reason for the decision, those seeking to learn this language often choose to study Spanish abroad. This is a great way to quickly master the language and also to immerse yourself in a new culture. Actually, there are more than a dozen countries with Spanish schools. So what are the best guidelines to follow in choosing the best location?

1.Security

The most important factor to consider is safety. After all, what’s the point of learning Spanish if you might not come back? Of the main Spanish schools, Mexico is perhaps the least safe option these days due to the ongoing drug wars in the region. Venezuela and Bolivia are also not recommended options, as both countries are politically unstable. In addition, there have been reports of attacks on foreigners in Bolivia. On the other hand, when you are looking for the safest countries, Chile, Spain and Cuba are usually at the top of the list.

2. Regional accents

When you study Spanish abroad, it is also a good idea to consider the ease of understanding the language in different countries. The regional accents in Peru, Ecuador, and Puerto Rico are usually the simplest for beginners to understand. By contrast, accents in Chile, Venezuela, and Colombia are considered more difficult for people who are new to the language.

Of course, challenging yourself 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 do not have modes of transportation that are easy for beginning Spanish speakers to understand. When it comes to both accents and ease 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 Buenos Aires by metro and buses.

3. Cultivation

When you are considering where you want to study, keep in mind the fact that you will also be doing a lot of sightseeing. Consider what kind of cultural activities are most interesting to you. For example, if ancient ruins excite 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.

4. Sports and Recreation

Another issue that you should consider before choosing a place for your trip is sports and recreation. When it comes to outdoor sports, Chile has great beaches for surfing and mountains for snowboarding and hiking. All these recreational activities are accessible from Santiago. The city also offers great climbing instructors. Many people chose to learn Spanish in Argentina or Spain because of the excellent soccer and basketball. Peru, Ecuador and, of course, Costa Rica attract surfers and divers.

5. Time

Would you rather study in a warm climate or in a cold and snowy place? The weather is another important consideration when you decide to study Spanish abroad. Lima has a pleasant climate throughout the year, thanks to its location facing the sea.

It is also a possibility to study in the tropics, which would include Colombia, Cuba or Costa Rica. Many winter sports enthusiasts head south to Argentina (Mendoza) and Chile (Santiago), as these cities offer world-class snowboarding. Please note that the winter season is from June to September.

The bottom line is that no place is perfect. Often smart students do a three-month program so they can try out various places. If you want to try this type of schedule, you can experience three locations for two weeks each, and then spend the remaining six weeks at your favorite location.

Choose a school cluster with multiple locations so you can experience an easy transition from one location to another. Everyone has their own personal preferences. By taking into account factors such as safety, regional accents, culture, sports, and weather, you can put together a trip that best suits your personality and interests.