Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world, with over 500 million speakers worldwide. Studying Spanish is not only a practical skill, but it also opens up opportunities for travel and career advancement. While Spain is a popular destination, this isn’t your only option. There are many other cities in the world that are great places to immerse yourself in Spanish. If you’re looking to study Spanish outside of Spain, we recommend checking out these destinations.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City is the largest Spanish-speaking city in the world. It was first known as Tenochtitlan, the capital of the Aztec empire. Over the past several centuries, it has grown to a modern metropolis of over 8.8 million people. Today Mexico City is most famous for its arts scene (Mexico City is Frida Kahlo’s hometown) and street food. If you’re looking to study Spanish outside of Spain, Mexico City is a great destination. There are many places to study Spanish, the most famous being the prestigious National Autonomous University of Mexico Language Center.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Buenos Aires is the capital and largest city of Argentina. Centuries of European influence have earned it the nickname “Paris of the South.” It is also the birthplace of tango, which originated in its working class neighborhoods in the late 19th century. Tango still remains very popular today, and there are numerous places throughout the city where you can learn to dance. Students can study Spanish at institutions such as Universidad de Buenos Aires which regularly welcome international students.
Medellín, Colombia
Medellín is a vibrant city located in the Andes Mountains of Colombia. It has undergone a dramatic transformation in the past few decades. It’s now known for its innovative urban design, cultural events, and friendly locals. Although it’s growing in popularity, Medellín is still largely undiscovered as a tourist destination. This makes it a fantastic place to immerse yourself in Spanish. Medellin is also great place to practice with native speakers since Colombians have one of the most neutral Spanish accents. Many language schools in Medellín offer Spanish courses for international students. The city is also home to several top-ranked universities, including Omnia’s partner the University of Antioquia.
Santiago, Chile
Santiago is the capital of Chile, and it’s known for its stunning mountain views and rich cultural heritage. It was first founded in 1541, and today Santiago is a modern city with a high standard of living, excellent public transportation, and reliable infrastructure. Its unique location between the Pacific coast and Andes mountains makes it a great destination no matter the season. In fact, during the right time of year it’s possible to ski and surf on the same day! Several top universities are located in Santiago including the Universidad de Chile and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, which make it easy to find a place to study Spanish.
Montevideo, Uruguay
Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay and located on the Atlantic coast. Its biggest draws are its Old Town, an 18th century historic neighborhood filled with historic architecture and cobblestone streets, and its many beaches. Montevideo is also famous for city-wide Carnival festivities that take place in February or March every year. Montevideo is still an undiscovered gem in South America, which makes it a fantastic location for students studying Spanish. Universities such as Universidad de la República offer Spanish language programs for international students.
Cusco, Peru
Cusco, the former capital of the Incan empire, is located in the Andes Mountains of Peru. You may need some time to acclimatize to the elevation since Cusco sits at over 11,000 feet above sea level. But once you do, there is stunning architecture, vibrant markets, and ancient Incan ruins to explore. Cusco is also the gateway to many notable sites such as Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, the rainbow mountains Vinicunca and Palccoyo. There are several language schools and universities in Cusco, including the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, that offer Spanish language programs for international students.
Quito, Ecuador
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and is the second highest capital in the world after La Paz, Bolivia. The city itself is a mix of indigenous, colonial, and modern influences. Quito’s Old Town was one of the first two World Heritage Sites declared by UNESCO (the other was Krakow, Poland). It is also within close proximity of Ecuador’s cloud forests providing access to outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining. Quito has a thriving academic community with several prestigious universities, including the Universidad de San Francisco de Quito and Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar.
If you’re looking to study Spanish abroad, there are quite a few locations to check out outside of Spain. Each city has its own unique culture and flavor of Spanish though. Be sure to do some research to find the best place for you. Do you have any locations to add to our list? Let us know in the comments!
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