Study abroad has became a common trend in the development of the knowledge of foreign languages of the public and private high schools of the United States and other countries. It has numerous benefits for the participants: to make students hear the language and become active participants in communication, to show to students the life style of families in different countries, introduces them to different food, to develop a respectful attitude toward different habits, tastes, people. Of course, it shows places and allows students to participate in the events of different counties, such as festivals, sport games, etc.
My own experience of immersion study in Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, and Spain changed my life. Until 2004 my knowledge of the culture and history of Spain and Spanish speaking countries was quite superficial, my knowledge of the Spanish language was close to none. But my linguistic urge and natural inquisitiveness triggered the start of my journey into the Spanish speaking world. First, there were night classes in UMass Amherst. It worked well, but I needed to accelerate the process of learning and especially speaking. One can know very well the theory of swimming but without water it is impossible to swim. With the help of the internet I found the way to practice my theoretical knowledge of Spanish: immersion schools in South America. Since my childhood I dreamed about this enigmatic distant continent.
In June 2006 I discovered it. Buenos Aires surprised and impressed me. I came to the apartment of Anna Maria Blanca, and she surrounded me with warm care, respect, and love and I gave her the same in return. She brought me to “ECELA” – immersion school in Buenos Aires (everything was prearranged). I loved my teacher and staff members in Argentina. Together with grammar lessons I was learning about Argentinean every day life, problems, culture, education, etc. Every moment was precious, full of new experiences. I discovered that Spanish in Argentina has an Italian flavor and I was able to handle it.
After two weeks in Buenos Aires I went to Santiago de Chile. Different country, different experience, but the same caring, wonderful people surrounded me in the Chilean branch of ECELA. When I came back to the US, I was a different person: I was in love with South America and I could speak my new language. Of course it was only the beginning of my “swimming experience” and I had to work a lot to improve myself. That year I started teaching Spanish I at Eagle Hill and at the same time I continued to take university classes. Every day contributed to my progress.
In June 2007 I had an engagement with the immersion school EXCEL in the Cusco, Peru. I think that I left part of my heart there, in Cusco, the capital of Incas. Cusco is not just a city of high altitude but also a temple of high spirituality. Yony and Luis, the family I stayed with, are now my sister and brother.
In June 2008 I landed in Quito and studied at the immersion school “Christobal Colon”.
The summer of 2009, for the first time, I traveled with the instructor, Mr. Tom Alsop, who created his unique program and implements it through the immersion school Sampere in Madrid. The name of the program “Aventura Cultural” completely reflects its substance. We, the group of teachers from the US, experienced everyday cultural adventures in Spain. No English was used during this time. Every morning we would learn Mr. Alsip’s methods of teaching Spanish and then, guided by the teachers of Sampere, we would explore different “barrios” of Madrid, attend museums and theaters, and travel to Alcala, Segovia and Toledo. You can discover more about our activities in this site.
During my study in immersion schools I met a lot of people from different countries, sometimes teachers from US would be there with their students. As a conclusion, I would like to encourage everybody who would like to learn or improve their language, educators and students, to immerse in the life and culture of the spoken language.