Hello. This is my first post on this forum, but I recall exploring it before and being satisfied. This time, I would like to “pick some brains” from those who use the forum.

I am currently a 19-year old college freshman in the U.S. I would judge my spanish proficiency level as intermediate, although like most college kids I can read spanish far better than I can speak it. I want to go to Spain for at least one month this summer and immerse myself in its culture and language, as a personal challenge. My problem is that a friend and I planned on doing this together, but for him to be able to go he must get a job between now and then, and of course time is money, of which he is losing. Thus, it is looking increasingly likely that he will not be able to go this summer. However, I do not want to allow myself to be affected by this, and still maintain ambitions for going. My question to everyone here is this: would it be wise for a college freshman to spend a month or more in a foreign country where currently no contacts are known? I have many international friends on campus, and so feel somewhat adept at communicating with others from differing cultures. Also, i do not consider myself an American idiot who just causes trouble in foreign countries. So, what does everyone think of this idea?

Funny question. Only you know if you’re mature and independent enough to spend time alone in a foreign country.  Anywhere in Western Europe, including Spain, is safe, easy and user-friendly in comparison with almost all of the rest of the world.  Don’t expect people to speak English or make friends as readily as in the US, though.  I can’t tell if you’re male or female from your post - women are generally treated very well in Spain but there are some vestiges of the old machismo around, especially down south and in the countryside.

I see what you mean, and agree. I am curious if there are any special challenges with the area, if the area has a bad rep, etc.

Secondly, I am somewhat undecided between Sevilla and Madrid. I have heard good things about both. In your opinion, which would be the best city to experience?

Lastly, I am male.

Seville is more picturesque and much smaller, although it is still a big enough city - I think Seville’s about a million, Madrid about 5m.  Of course, Madrid is a sophisticated international capital, busy 24/7, while Seville is very Spanish, or rather very Andalus.  Both cities do everything very much later than the US - lunch at 3pm, dinner at 11pm or thereabouts - but Madrid especially is a real night city, especially in summer.  Life in Seville is quite a bit cheaper than the capital, though it’s catching up.  The dialect in Seville is quite different from standard Spanish, if that’s important to you.  Otherwise, read up about them.

So, for an American who knows intermediate spanish but wants to be immersed somewhere in Spain to practice the language, which city would be best? To me, laid back and more Spanish sounds a lot more appealing than a hustle-bustle city.

I know Catalonian “spanish” is quite different from what we’re taught here in the states. Is andalucian as different as well?

ctroberts89 - 10 March 2009 08:49 PM

So, for an American who knows intermediate spanish but wants to be immersed somewhere in Spain to practice the language, which city would be best? To me, laid back and more Spanish sounds a lot more appealing than a hustle-bustle city.

I know Catalonian “spanish” is quite different from what we’re taught here in the states. Is andalucian as different as well?

Seville isn’t laid back, just not as big and busy as Madrid.  But that’s like comparing Boston with NYC.  If you want somewhere less frantic, try a small historic city like Salamanca, Toledo, Cuenca.  Those places are good for language courses too.

Catalan is not Spanish, it’s another language.  Andalucian is just a strong dialect of standard Spanish - it’s actually more like Latin American Spanish due to the links between Seville and the Americas.