Study Abroad Programs Blog

Come to Venezuela, learn Spanish and discover the Amazon forest

A BIT ABOUT THE COUNTRY…

• Language

Although Venezuela is mainly monolingual, there are approximately thirty other languages spoken in the country. Immigrants speak their own languages and there are large communities of Portuguese and German people too. English is the most widely spoken foreign language and there are a number of private Italian institutions. Other languages spoken my large areas of people are Chinese and Galician.

• Miss Venezuela

Dayana Mendoza won the title of Miss Venezuela 2007 and Miss Universe 2008. Mendoza had to outshine 27 other contestants in order to win Miss Venezuela on the 13^th September 2007 and on the 13^th July 2008, she was crowned Miss Universe at a pageant in Vietnam. Mendoza was the first Venezuelan woman to win the pageant since Alicia Machado in 1996. The 2007 winner crowned Miss Mendoza with a tiara, $120,000 worth of prize money, world travel, a luxury New York City apartment and a lot of designer dresses, shoes and beauty products. Mendoza was a contestant on the 2012 season of Celebrity Apprentice.

• Biodiversity

Venezuela is one of 17 Mega Diverse Countries. These are a group of countries considered to be extremely bio-diverse since they accommodate most of the world’s species. Venezuelan animals include anteaters and jaguars, dolphins and crocodiles. The latter have been reported to reach up to 22 feet in length (that’s almost 7 meters!) Venezuela is home to almost 1500 different species of bird including kingfishers and ospreys (fish-eating birds of prey).

WHY STUDY SPANISH IN VENEZUELA?

Over the years, Venezuela has transformed into a popular learning destination and it’s hardly surprising… with its lively, spirited people, beautiful scenery and delicious food – what’s not to like about this country? If you are interested in studying in South America, then you should know that Venezuela offers some of the lowest accommodation and course fees on the continent.

Venezuela attracts tourists from Germany, Italy, Spain and North America with its year-round tropical climate. Approximately half of the country is covered by rainforest. Venezuela has numerous paradisiacal islands located along its coastline. Additionally, the country boasts 35 National Parks and Angel Falls (the highest waterfall in the world).

CARACAS

Santiago de León de Caracas in Venezuela was founded in the 16^th century. Surrounded by forested uplands, the city of Caracas is located under the Avila (a 7800 foot mountain). The Humboldt Hotel is located on top of the Avila and can be reached by cable car. This is a popular activity for tourists because of the stunning views from the top and the cool breeze offered by the swift ride. If you’re the adventurous type, then you can dedicate 3 or 4 hours to climbing up the mountain and then return by cable car. Caracas is the largest, most highly populated zone in Venezuela. Additionally, it is the capital city with many restaurants, theatres, museums and shopping centers. In Caracas, the majority of the city revolves around the Plaza Bolivar, named after Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military and political leader.

The major airport of all Venezuela is located in Caracas. The airport is named after Simon Bolivar and offers the only route into Venezuela from abroad. The rest of Venezuela is connected by buses and trains. No trip to Caracas would be complete without sampling the local cuisine. The capital city of Venezuela is famous for a savory snack called Reina Pepiada which consists of a corn meal bun filled with avocado, chicken, mayonnaise and spring onions. Pabellon Criollo is another Caracas classic. It comprises a plate of shredded beef with a fried egg on top, served with white rice and a black bean stew.

The big French speaking neighbor: Canada

Canada is a North American country that borders with the United States. It is the second largest country in the world after Russia in terms of total area (sq km) however its population is ranked 35^th largest in the world due to the fact that only a small proportion of the country is actually inhabitable. Few people live far away from the America-Canada border as the temperature is too cold and the landscape is too rugged. Canada consists of ten provinces including British Columbia and Ontario. Canada has been inhabited for millions of years by Indigenous people. This particular group of human beings comprises Inuit’s, or as they were formally known, Eskimos; and the Métis people, whose national flag displays the infinity sign. Canada is totally bilingual with English and French as its two main languages. Canada has one of the largest economies in the world and its head of State is Queen Elizabeth II. Canada relies upon natural resources such as oil and gas for its economic growth as well as various trade links with the United States.

Canada ranks among the highest in international measurements of education and quality of life with one of the highest average incomes in the world. According to recent statistics, the average full time Canadian worker makes $43,298 per annum. French-Canadian is the term used to describe the descendants of French colonists that arrived in Canada is the 17^th and 18^th centuries. The Canadian province of Quebec is home to the majority of French-Canadian people although there are smaller communities of French speakers spread across the other nine provinces too. Some French-Canadians no longer speak French as the language has simply died out over the years. Nevertheless, the French-Canadians make up the largest group of people in Canada followed by English, Scottish and Irish Canadians respectively.

Celine Dion is a French-Canadian singer born into a large family in Quebec, Canada, the female singer became famous in the eighties after René Angélil, her manager and future husband, re-mortgaged his house to pay for the release of her first album: Unison. In 1999, at the height of Dion’s success, she made a public announcement that she was taking some timeout out from the music industry to take care of her husband who had just received the devastating news that he had Cancer. Fortunately, Angélil made a full recovery and appeared in a music video called “Save You” by a French-Canadian rock band called Simple Plan. Curiously, the story behind the name of this hugely successful musical group is that the band was their “simple plan” to avoid working in McDonalds.

Canada and the United States of America share one of the longest land borders in the world. For many years, they have been trading partners; a relationship that has allowed both countries to grow economically. In terms of culture, there are certainly many similarities between Canada and the US. These likenesses would make it a relatively easy transition for an American to make if they were wishing to study in Canada for example. The most obvious similarity is of course the language – the national language of both countries being British English. Although, as already mentioned above, Canada is actually a bilingual country with a large percentage of French-speaking residents. Another likeness between Canada and America is of course the proximity. According to information available online, the vast majority of Canadians live within 50 miles of the America-Canada border where the conditions are most livable. The further that one ventures from the border, the more uninhabitable both the landscape and the climate become.

Quebec City (or to give it its French title, Ville de Québec) is a popular destination for American students wishing to perfect their French speaking skills given that it offers language learners a 100% French speaking environment. Quebec City is the capital of the Canadian province of Quebec and one of the oldest cities in North America. Quebec City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to the fact that it’s home to the ancient city walls (also known as Ramparts) that were built in ancient times to keep out aggressors. Montreal is a city located in the Canadian province of Quebec. Its official language is French. Believe it or not, excluding Paris, Montreal has more French speaking inhabitants than any other city in the world.

In conclusion, if you are a foreign language student, American or otherwise, looking to immerse yourself in a French-speaking environment, then look no further than the big French speaking community in Canada. Whether you live closeby or far away, Canada is a unique country, full of friendly people, stunning scenery and more importantly, native French speakers to provide you with an unforgettable learning experience!

We keep working for you with our new design for Amerispan website

As many of you may have already seen, we have been busy updating our website. Our goal is to improve the user experience so that you can find the study abroad program that you are interested in less clicks!

As you can see in the above menu under Programs, we have added a link to our Top Programs.  We have chosen these based on our own experience in addition to the student feedback that we have received.  We hope that this helps students to find the best rated programs for their study abroad experience.

In the same section you will also find a section for Language Schools abroad where we mainly focus on schools in Spain and Mexico, although there are many options in Latin America as well.

In response to the increasing demand in the medical field for Spanish, we have added a section featuring Medical Spanish programs to help health professionals and medical students find courses to become more efficient in their jobs.

For younger language learners there is a new section featuring programs for kids and teens from 5 to 18 years old.  The earlier you start traveling abroad and learning a language the better, so these summer camps are great opportunities to get started!

In the Language & Fun abroad section you can find great opportunities to practice a variety activities while learning a language.  Combine your course with sports, dance, scuba diving, music classes or many other options to design a truly unique and complete study abroad experience.

Business & Professionals is geared towards helping professionals become fluent in an as many languages as possible. AmeriSpan has chosen the best programs, mostly private, so that busy students can easily find the perfect program to fit their needs.

For teachers who want to refresh their teaching skills, we have selected great programs for foreign language teachers, found under Teachers & Exams.

We cannot forget about our Volunteer & Work Abroad programs which we are still carefully working on.  Soon you can find a wide variety of the best volunteer abroad programs as well as work abroad programs, commonly referred to as internships.

AmeriSpan can also happily customize a program for your group to any country.  A group consists of 8 or more students eager to learn; just leave it to us!

Under the Countries menu you will quickly find Spain and Mexico because they represent some of our most popular destinations.  However, take your time and browse around, we have lots of language programs all over the world.

Go to the Apply tab to enroll for your course and pay your registration fee. Under the same section you can also make future payments. Please keep in mind that you will need your AmeriSpan ID number which you will find on the confirmation that we send you.

Read about our guarantees in the Benefits tab because your satisfaction is our main concern and we take it seriously. If you are dissatisfied we will pay for a week of classes at the same program or another of your choice. Also, we have a best price guarantee. If you find a better price than ours, we will match it and throw in another 10% off!

Change your mind? No worries, we will refund the money you paid us.

Now that you know why you should choose AmeriSpan, you can Get Started by subscribing to our newsletter so that you can keep up to date on our latest Offers, learn what is going on in our schools, read about featured destinations and stay tuned by following our Blog!
The whole AmeriSpan team invites you to browse through the page and find exactly what you are looking for.

The wild and old fashioned Uruguay with the Gauchos

Gaucho is a Spanish term used in reference to the men who worked with the cattle in Uruguay and Argentina. Gaucho may be roughly translated as Cowboy. At one time, Gauchos made up the majority of the rural population in Uruguay. Although the origin of the word is not known for sure, it is thought that it may have evolved from either of the following South American words: Huachu (orphan) or Cauchu (Vagabond). Either of these words would fit in well with the transient, lonely life of many Gauchos. During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, the Uruguayan Gauchos drifted from one ranch to another, herding cattle, never staying still for long. However, they spent some time in the fertile lowlands of South America known as the Pampas that extend from Patagonia to Uruguay. An explorer called Juan de Garav bought cows from Paraguay during the late 16^th century. By the 1700’s, the wild cattle had begun to roam the countryside and men called Gauderios made their living by hunting and herding cows.

In the late 1700’s, Cattle Ranching achieved commercial status and the Uruguayan Gauchos were officially recognized. The majority of Gauchos were called Mestizos because they were descended from a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese and Native American ancestors. Others were a mix of black and white ancestry, for this reason, they were called Mulatos. The gaucho image is seen as symbolic of the regions of Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay. Gauchos are seen to be quiet, proud and honest people and many people of Uruguay see these men as their heroes. Writers have used the image of the gaucho in the past to personify the fight against corruption. Gauchos are also seen as courageous with a tendency to lose their temper and be violent when provoked. They carried a large knife known as fácon which they used for eating as well as violent confrontation. Like cowboys, gauchos were and still are great horse riders. More often that not, a gaucho’s horse represented all he had in the world.

The gaucho diet was composed almost entirely of wild cattle that they caught and slaughtered themselves. Yerba Mate is a species of holly native to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and the source of the mate beverage. Argentinean food today is still heavily influenced by the simple recipes of the gauchos. For example, the word gaucho is often used in reference to a special steak sauce. Gauchos wore loose fitting trousers known as bombachas and heavy wool ponchos to protect them from the cold in the wintertime. In terms of weaponry, besides a knife, gauchos carried a leather whip. The gauchos popularized clothing such as hats, berets, ponchos and Gaucho Pants (high-waisted trousers with a hem that fell just below the kneecap). Uruguayan people pay tribute to the Gauchos once a year at the annual Gaucho Festival. The event involves a number of contests including horseback riding and Calf Roping. The latter is an event featuring a horse rider and a calf. First lasso the calf, then jump down and tie three of the calf’s legs together as quickly as possible in order to win the game.

Photo by: Eduardo Amorim
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bombeador/4766033285

Feel at home learning Spanish in San Juan

Amerispan is offering you the once in a lifetime opportunity to study Spanish in San Juan, the second oldest city in the Americas and the capital city of Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is a small Caribbean island (only 100 miles long by 35 miles wide), characterized by sparkling white, sandy beaches, tropical rainforests and long coastal plains. Puerto Rico’s four major exports are coffee, sugar, tobacco and tropical fruits. Of all the economies in Latin America, Puerto Rico’s is the most stable. San Juan’s tourism industry is booming as a result of, beautiful beaches, a vibrant array of nightlife and entertainment choices and an average annual temperature of 26°C.

The Spanish School in San Juan is located in the business district of Hato Rey. The school is air-conditioned throughout with a computer room and free Wi-Fi access. There are bus stops and train stations within a short-walking distance of the school so downtown San Juan is easily accessible. The school is situated within close-proximity to a warm sandy beach, the perfect place to watch a sunset with new friends.

Class size never exceeds 8 students per teacher to enable a personal learning experience. Teachers are native speakers and experienced in the field of teaching Spanish as a foreign language. There is 3 hours worth of classes each day, so students have plenty of free time to explore the magnificent and unique island of Puerto Rico. The school organizes a guided tour of the city to enable the new arrivals to familiarize themselves with essential amenities such as supermarkets, restaurants, banks, doctors etc. The school also organizes activities for the students to get to know each other, a great opportunity to make friends from other cultures. Optional added extras include: a pick-up service from San Juan International Airport, one-to-one language lessons and weekend breaks to places of interest. 

Students have the option to stay with a host family. This is by far the best way to immerse oneself in the Puerto Rican language and culture. You'll experience the wonderful array of food, music, and family customs. Students who choose this option will have a private bedroom and shared kitchen and bathroom facilities. Puerto Rico is one of the most densely populated islands in the world and one-third of the population is concentrated in the San Juan area. Puerto Ricans speak using hand gestures and facial expressions. This is useful for foreign language students who may have trouble understanding spoken Spanish when they first arrive. Puerto Ricans are renowned for being friendly, warm-natured people. They are famous for their hospitality and make visitors feel at home.

St. Petersburg in the summertime

Summer is a lovely time to visit St. Petersburg in Russia. Some people call it the “Venice of the North” due to its network of canals. Arguably, the best time to visit is in May/June before the tourists start pouring in. Besides being busy, the months of July and August tend to be the wettest. Having said that, the weather in St Petersburg tends to be varied, combining elements from all four seasons: even in May/June, many wise locals still carry their umbrellas. Don’t let the temperamental weather put you off though, St Petersburg is home to the Hermitage, the oldest and largest museum in the world, which is a great rainy day activity. Its complete art collection (comprised of 3 million pieces) is displayed in a number of historic buildings along the river including the Winter Palace, a former home of the emperors of Russia.

The city maintains a certain level of humidity at all times due to its location on the Baltic Sea. High winds are not uncommon either. Not to worry though: the warmth of the St Petersburg people more than makes up for the lukewarm temperatures outside. On another positive note, a day in St Petersburg during the summertime is virtually everlasting as night hardly falls. During the seemingly ceaseless days, known locally as White Nights, a warm glow transcends upon the city energizing the people with a zeal and zest for life. The White Nights festival is renowned as one of the best classical music festivals in the world. If you are among the millions of people worldwide who suffer from the “winter blues”, a trip to St Petersburg may be just what the doctor ordered.

Although experts are not sure what the causes of the disorder are, they believe that a lack of sunlight has something to do with it. Insufficient sunshine has been scientifically proven to reduce serotonin levels in the brain, a chemical thought to be a contributor to feelings of happiness and well-being. If you are planning a visit to St Petersburg in the summertime, it is necessary to book flights and accommodation in advance given that this is by far the busiest time of year tourist-wise. Plenty of low-priced activities such as picnicking in the park or engaging in a white night walk mean that St Petersburg isn’t an expensive place to visit. However, as mentioned above, the months of July and August can be extremely busy. Therefore, if you are hoping to take part in some slightly more sophisticated activity such as the ballet at Mariinsky Theatre or a guided tour of the Hermitage, you must be prepared to deal with crowds. 

Spring or autumn would be the optimum time to visit for culturally minded visitors given that most museums close from the end of June onwards. As cultural season draws to a close, the festival season begins with the White Nights festival running from May to June. The International Music Olympus Festival takes place simultaneously, providing young musicians with unique opportunities to perform alongside big name bands and artists. The famous Peterhof fountains, comprised of over 200 bronze statues, are turned on at the beginning of June. They are one of St Petersburg’s main tourist attractions, drawing millions of visitors annually. At the end of July, there is nothing of particular interest going on since the majority of the locals tend to leave for their holidays. It may be advised to dress conservatively when visiting St Petersburg in the summertime, avoiding shorts and skimpy t-shirts. If not, you will a) be eaten alive by mosquitoes and b) mark yourself out as a tourist.

Find out more about the differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese

Brazilian and European Portuguese are quite different, from spelling and grammar to terminology and tenses (past, present, future). Very often, the word choice of a Brazilian would sound funny to a European. Similarly, in Portugal, Brazilian Portuguese would carry a lot of errors. A Brazilian can read a European book fairly easily. Equally, a Brazilian would be able to listen to European radio or watch European television. However, there are certain differences regarding spelling and word meaning which make Brazilian and European Portuguese incontestably different. Some of these differences are explored below…

Spelling Differences…

1.    Some European Portuguese words such as ato (action/deed), exceto (except), ótimo (great) are spelt slightly differently in Brazilian Portuguese:  acto, excepto, óptimo. In other words, the Portuguese spelling retains some consonants that have been eliminated from the European language form.

2.    Certain Portuguese words are spelt using open vowels by Europeans (á, é, ó) and close vowels by Brazilians (â, ê, ô). The simplest definitions of open and close vowels are as follows: during the articulation of an open vowel, the tongue is far from the roof of the mouth whereas the tongue is positioned high in the mouth during the enunciation of a close vowel.

3.    The Brazilians distinguish between the spelling an open diphthong (éi) and a closed diphthong (ei). The Portuguese however, do not make this distinction given that both diphtongs are pronounced in the same way. A diphthong is a single syllable, made up of one or more vowels, in which there is a noticeable sound change. Another name for a diphthong is a gliding vowel since gliding is the word used to describe the action of moving from one vowel to another. As you say the words flat and chip, you can hear that each word only contains one kind of vowel sound. However, as you say the words cruel, blouse and foil, you can hear that each word contains two different kinds of vowel sound, even though those vowel sounds are restricted to one syllable.

Word Meaning…

Certain European Portuguese words mean something totally different in Brazilian Portuguese:

1.    RAPARIGA: in Portugal, Rapariga is an innocent term meaning young woman or girl; however in Brazil Rapariga is an offensive word meaning slut or whore.

2.    GAROTO: in Portugal, Garoto is a term used to describe coffee with milk; however in Brazil Garoto means boy. 

3.    FATO: in Portugal, Fato means suit or clothing; whereas in Brazil Fato is an event or an occurrence.

4.    APELIDO: in Portugal, the word apelido means surname; whereas in Brazil it means nickname.

A couple of other differences…

1.    Days of the week and months of the year are written using a capital letter at the front in European Portuguese but a small letter in Brazilian Portuguese.

2.    A few words (particularly clothes) are plural in European Portuguese and singular in Brazilian Portuguese e.g. calças  calça, (trousers), sapatos  sapato (shoes).

In conclusion, there are enough differences between Brazilian and European Portuguese to say that they are not exactly the same language. However, they are clearly similar enough that Brazilian and European Portuguese people could converse relatively easily.

The growth of Spanish Language in America

More than 400 million people in 21 different countries in the world speak Spanish – that’s more than any other Latin language. Despite the fact that pronunciation varies somewhat between countries and regions, the differences are not so significant as to make the language incomprehensible. People in the know anticipate that there will be 530 million Spanish speakers by 2050 – 100 million of which will be living in the U.S. Currently, there are more Spanish speakers in the U.S. than Chinese speakers.

Recently, the Latino population has grown to encompass more of the country making it the largest minority group in the U.S. Spanish is not a foreign language anymore; it's the second language of the United States. The demand for having communications and documents in Spanish is growing at an alarming rate. It's becoming impossible to ignore the expansion of the Spanish language in the U.S. with ATM’s offering instructions in Spanish and even the phone book coming with a Spanish insert.

Spanish-speaking employees are in demand because they offer companies unique growth opportunities. If you have Spanish on your curriculum vitae you will have more job opportunities than your monolingual counterpart. Spanish is becoming a bigger part of everyday life so that it is a necessity these days rather than a “nice to know”. Not only have Latinos become an influential group with regards to buying power; but the U.S. Latino vote can shift the results of a presidential election.

Spanish is becoming increasingly important in terms of business and politics. Learning Spanish will allow you to converse with Spanish speaking colleagues and/or employees. Furthermore, you will be empowered to offer your product or service to 400 million Spanish-speakers worldwide.

Amerispan Star Agency For the Fourth Time

 

 

 

Amerispan, being one of the leading agencies in North America, has helped the students with great experience in study abroad education for almost 20 years. This year, we  are proud to receive “Star Agency North America” award for the fourth year in a row. The awards, which are held by the acclaimed Study Travel magazine, are honorable for the actors in this industry to keep the quality in study abroad education and value the work of the companies.

Learning a language can take a lifetime or you can start speaking with an incredible pace. All depends on the willingness of the student and selecting the right elements.

During this selection process, our counselors are the chief guides to assist the students for choosing the right education type for their needs. We will offer the best available and realistic options among the many and make it easy to reach a conclusion in a short period of time. The quality of the language course is the most crucial feature for a student. The experience of the school, the educational materials they provide and the international credibility are the top three features for a successful study abroad experience.

The location is another important factor. You can learn a language in your home country yet can't be efficiently immersed and somehow acquired. If you really want to speak the language, you should stay/live in a native speaker atmosphere. Amerispan will give you all details about the climate, culture and socio-economic life of the countries. Since our counselors themselves have lived the study abroad experience before or at least they have the chance to check the schools, will serve as the most reliable source.

Students have chosen Amerispan, because they receive exactly what they look for. Keep that in mind that the choosing a good agency, is the first step of going into a wonderful study abroad life.

Latin Holidays

While in the USA we have been celebrating Halloween for years, in Latin America, it is just a new tradition that will need time to be acepted as a part of latin culture. Many latin holidays are based on the calendar and we present you some of the most popular ones:







On November 2nd, Mexico, like many Latin American countries celebrates the Day of the Dead. Latin American people believe that death is a transition from one life to another. Therefore, the Day of the Dead in Mexico is not a morbid affair, rather a happy and colorful celebration. Indigenous people believed that souls did not die, that they rested in a special place until the day they could return home to visit their relatives.

One of the main Latin American holidays which takes place in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Venezuela and Uruguay is the festival of the “Virgen de la Candelaria”. It is celebrated every February 2^nd and involves a parade where dancers follow a statue of the Virgin Mary through the city. The dancers stop in front of the cathedral to be blessed and then continue on their parade meanwhile being cooled by people throwing water from their balconies.

Carnaval is a 4-day celebration that takes place in South America. Mardi-Gras or Fat Tuesday is always the 4^th day of carnival and refers to the entire period between Epiphany or Twelfth Night and Ash Wednesday. In southern Peru, it is traditional during Carnival for children to throw colored flour at each other. There are foam parties on the streets afterwards to wash away the flour. Many adults also get involved in this part of the celebration.

5^th May is an important date in the Mexican calendar as it commemorates the victory of the Mexican militia over the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Unsurprisingly, the town of Puebla celebrates this holiday more than anywhere else with Mexican food, drink and music on the streets. In most parts however, it is just a regional holiday.

15^th September marks the anniversary of independence for 5 Hispanic countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Mexico and Chile achieved independence just days later. Chile celebrates Independence Day with month-long festivities whereas other countries plan their entertainment around harvest and the welcoming of spring.

The Snow Festival is a religious festival held annually in late May or early June in Peru. 30,000 pilgrims of different faiths come together to worship the water supplied by the ice capped mountains. The legend of “The Snow Lord” originates from an old folktale: a young shepherd, Mariano, makes friends with a mixed race boy, Manuel. Thanks to Manuel, Mariano's herd prospers. To say thank you, Mariano´s father wants to buy clothes for Manuel but doesn´t know what material Manuel likes against his skin. When Mariano and his father go to find Manuel to ask him, he is injured and Mariano dies of a broken heart and is buried under a rock. The Snow Festival consists of parades and dances in and around the “shrine” of the Mariano AKA “The Snow Lord”. Some pilgrims bring back blocks of ice from the festival because they are said to have healing properties.

Study Spanish in a Spanish university city

If you are considering a study placement abroad to improve your Spanish, then look no further than Spain. With 10 vibrant cities to choose from, each with their own university, all you have to do is to decide where you want to go!

Below, we have listed the top 10 Spanish university cities, not according to the rank, but merely alphabetically so that nobody feels offended:

1. Barcelona

The other capital of Spain

Barcelona is the perfect city for anyone who wants to experience as much as possible in a short space of time and feels at home in big cities. There is nothing you cannot do in Barcelona! Also the university choice, both public and private, is very broad and covers all courses you can imagine. Some of the most popular places for students are without doubt the Ramblas, the Parque Guell and the Puerto Olímpico.

2. Granada

The city with two seasons

In comparison with the relatively small city of Granada, the university is one of the most important ones in whole Spain, ranking among the top schools in the country with a very international atmosphere. The city is populated by students who are hanging out in the inner city, enjoying the historic atmosphere and enjoying the free tapas. Granada also offers the strongest difference in temperatures: You can go skiing in Sierra Nevada just 40 minutes away and the same day enjoy a swim at the tropical coast of Salobreña, Motril and Almuñécar.

3. La Laguna

The Spanish city with a Caribbean touch

La Laguna, situated on Tenerife is possibly the most beautiful city to study in. The colonial streets invite students for relaxing walks along impressive monuments. La Laguna is a melting pot for students from all Spanish-speaking countries. The strong influence of the Caribbean brings about a much softer accent, more warm-heartedness and an affinity to the fiery rhythms of Salsa. If you are interested in spectacular nature then this island will impress you.

4. Madrid

Experience the whole of Spain in one city

Madrid is the heart of Spain, not only due to its central location, but also because of its many universities which attract students from all over the country. Madrid is without doubt the cultural, political and economic center of Spain, but still conserves the charm of a small town, where walking through the neighborhood is still a pleasurable experience. Almost everybody in Madrid comes from somewhere else meaning there is no caginess between natives and foreigners. This means that you will have no problem finding somebody to talk to in one of the charming cafés in the historical city center.

5. Malaga

The International fishing city

Malaga also offers some great study opportunities. All over the city can be seen the influence of former citizen of Malaga, Pablo Picasso. If you want to enjoy impressive views of the city then you should take a walk to the Arab fortress. At Malaga´s international fishing port you can eat fresh sea food and chat with the Malagueños. If you want to improve your Spanish a little, you can take Spanish classes in Marbella.

6. Pamplona

The city with two faces

Pamplona is not only famous for San Fermin, the bull run in the streets, but also for the University of Navarra offering one of the best private health centers in Spain. Furthermore, the city famously has the best gammon and the most delicious vegetables in all of Spain. The wine, like the people of Pamplona, is robust, aromatic and not easily forgettable.   

7. Salamanca

The city of time travel

Salamanca is arguably the most elegant and historic city in Spain.  The city is internationally renowned for Spanish studies due to the pure form of Spanish spoken there. The city has more to offer than Spanish lessons though! The museums, monuments and the cathedral make the city a cultural treasure. The numerous authentic bars in the inner city are a popular meeting place for international students to meet each other.

8. Santiago de Compostela

 The city of saints

Santiago is a very warm and welcoming city: from the musicality of the Galician language to friendly people who, due to their long history of migration, know exactly how to welcome foreigners. Santiago offers many different sights like the saint’s tomb, the jar of Ribeiro as well as the impressive university building.

9. Seville

The city of flamenco

Seville, with its warm winters, the delightful orange blossom that appears in springtime and the Feria in April are just a few of the many reasons to study Spanish in this city. Seville is well known for its long standing tradition of Flamenco. Seville is home to the biggest gothic cathedral in the world as well as the royal tobacco factory.

 

10. Valencia

The Mediterranean city

The capital of Turia may be described as one of the most beautiful cities on the Costa Blanca. It has the charm of a small town, but the modernity and internationality of a university city. Most impressive is the former river bed which has been transformed in a marvelous garden, accommodating an impressive aquarium. There are spectacular beaches not far from the city center.

AmeriSpan Study Abroad receives Language Travel Magazine’s 2012 award

AmeriSpan Study Abroad has recently received Language Travel Magazine’s 2012 award for “best agency in North America” for the fourth year in a row. After being named a finalist in 2008 and a winner every year since, Amerispan´s reputation now precedes it.

Whilst offering exceptional opportunities for students overseas, AmeriSpan also ensures to realistic with its students in terms of what they should expect. For example, they don´t only highlight the good points. Therefore, there are no surprises when students arrive at school in another country. This is possible because AmeriSpan representatives study overseas themselves so they have been in your shoes before! The Amerispan website is abundant with resources for students before they jet off such as videos and photos from a variety of destinations as well as feedback from students in previous years. 

AmeriSpan has evolved beyond recognition between 1993 when it sent its first student to Latin America and today when it has the capacity to send students to 15 different countries to choose from a variety of 45 languages! Who knows, in another twenty years, maybe AmeriSpan will have reached their goal of "Every Language, Every Culture, Everywhere".

What do you know about latin dance and music?

What do you know about latin music? and about latin dance? Many offers are out there so we want to help you to make the best choice. Here you have a sort introduction about latin dance and music. And if you want to practice we recommend you do so in the country that these dances come from. Check this out: language and fun programs.

The term Latin American as used here encompasses the Americas south of the United States, as well as the entire Caribbean. Latin dance originated in Africa. Immigrants brought it to Latin America and then it interacted with local folk dance fusion.  Gradually it formed, as we often see today, the cha-cha, rumba, cowboy, samba, salsa and some other new dances. Shoulder, abdomen and waist movements contribute to the art of Latin dance. The most represented Latin dance is the rumba, which has become the most classic of all Latin American dances. It is known as "Latin Soul". Cha cha cha, originated in Mexico, follows a 4/4 beat, with a speed of about 31 sections per minute. Cha Cha Cha, an interesting music, with its strong sense of rhythm, is widely popular all over the world!

Samba, originated in Brazil, has a 4/4 beat or 2/4 beat, with a speed of about 51 sections per minute. Samba music is very warm and dynamic! Paso Doble originated in France and was developed in Spain. The music follows a 2/4 beat, at about 62 sections per minute. Paso majestic music, uninhibited and with a powerful pace, is an exciting style. Cowboy originated in the United States and evolved from a dance called "jitterbug". Salsa means sauce in Spanish and in this case the sauce can be hot and spicy! Like many dances, the creation of the dance followed the creation of the music. New Yorkers of Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry are credited as the pioneers of Salsa music - a music that grew out of Mambo and Cuban Son roots. Some of the basic steps in Salsa dancing are from the Mambo basic. Salsa soon became popular in Puerto Rica, Cuba and Columbia. Simultaneously, the popularity of Salsa music and dance spread across North America and the West coast of North America, where they developed their own brand of Salsa dancing.

There are International Ballroom Competitions where dancers from around the world compete and there is an exclusive category called International Latin. Of these dances, the most popular Latin dance for competition is the Pase Doble. The Pase Doble is derived from the bullfights in Spain and in the dance the Man is the bullfighter and the woman is his cape. It has a kind of marching rhythm and is danced to traditional bull-fighting music - Espana Cani. Usually the dancers will wear a traditional Spanish costume for the woman and the bull-fighting costume for the man. It is a very exciting dance. You can imagine you are at a real bullfight when watching the dancers perform.

Another dance I want to talk about is the Merengue, which is a Latin dance of social style, originally from the Dominican Republic, often considered the National Dance of D.R. It was named after meringue, a dessert made from egg whites and sugar. Merengue's early years began in brothels and bars in the valley region around Santiago.  However, Latin dance, which also blends African and European traits, has been a great influence on popular music and dance around the world.

Diversity has a name - Spanish language

We’ve already heard it a million times before...and it´s true: Spanish is one of the most important languages in the world and it’s even on its way to be as well the most spoken language worldwide. In consideration of these facts, we are constrained to become aware of the diversity of the Spanish language, which is the mother-tongue of around 370 million inhabitants of almost all Latin American countries, Spain, the Caribbean islands and some parts of Africa.

If we regard the situation in Spain, we soon discover the huge range of predominant language varieties in this country. Beside the official language, el castellano or español, there actually exist 5 further co-official languages spoken in some of the Spanish autonomous communities. Hence, bilingualism is considered as normal and common practice of everyday life in some parts of Spain.

Taking on the other hand a look at the diversity concerning the Spanish language spoken in Latin America, it seems like entering in a new world of different conventional expressions in Spanish, vocalisms and phrases. The Latin American Spanish derives from the Spanish conqueror’s language, spread among the citizens of the so called “New World” from the 15th century onwards. Due to this influence, the Spanish language evolved in different ways, according to the cultural level of each Latin American region.

In general, we can distinguish between the linguistic features of the castellano spoken in Spain and the Spanish of Latin America. Especially in the field of translation it is usual to differentiate three types of Spanish language: Spanish of Spain, Spanish of Latin America and Neutral or Standard Spanish. Thus, the South Americans are rather used to the Indefinido to describe recent actions, while the Spaniards prefer the Pretérito Perfecto for this kind of purpose. In addition to the grammar facts, we notice a diversity regarding phonetic aspects, like accents and pronunciation of words. Furthermore, the vocabulary used in South America tends to be more archaistic than the Spanish in Spain, mostly due to the fact, that historical worlds were replaced by new expressions, which are more appropriate to the modern castellano of Spain.

Another significant difference between the two “Spanish Worlds” is the use of the 2^nd person plural (vosotros). This grammatical form doesn´t exist in Latin America and is therefore substituted by the 3^rd person plural (ustedes), without distinguishing between familiar and formal forms. Moreover, it’s very common in Latin America to use the so called voseo between family members (use of “vos” instead of “tu” and “ti”). As a consequence, it wouldn’t be surprising to hear a sentence like “vos te debés lavar mejor”.

In the presence of such diversity, it turns out to be really difficult for students to master the Spanish language and to know about all its particularities. The Spanish language school don Quijote offers Spanish classes in 12 cities all over Spain and disposes of several destinations in 10 Latin American countries. With don Quijote you’ll have the chance not only to increase your Spanish skills, but also to experience Spanish or Latin American culture and to get to know its tradition and lifestyle!

Watch the video: Qué difícil es hablar el español

Spanish Summer Fiestas

So with the summer finally upon us, why not celebrate Spanish style! Spain is a great vacation destination at any time of year, but during the summer the paella, sangria and flamenco are accompanied by some of Spain´s best festivals! Here are some of the fiesta´s well worth checking out if you´re in Spain over the summer.