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#24868 - 02/15/07 04:53 PM
Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Junior Member
Registered: 02/14/07
Posts: 3
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My girlfriend and I are planning on spending a month this summer in Spain studying Spanish. We want to stay in a city that will be exciting to live in for a month, which will provide us with a great opportunity to learn the language, and which will allow us great travel opportunities on weekends. So far in my preliminary research, I am interested in Salamanca and Granada. So which town or other town should we pick?
I would appreciate all opinions/advice from any of you familiar with Spain, as we have never visited. Also, if any of you are familiar with specific language programs in Spain, I'd love to hear from you!
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#24869 - 02/15/07 08:56 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Member
Registered: 06/11/00
Posts: 597
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Both of your choices are good but I think I'd go for Granada over Salamanca for a few reasons: the beach is within an hour and the city has so much to offer. Having said that, it's going to be HOT and the Spanish might be difficult to understand at first (but don't let that put you off)! Salamanca is great as well but I would be bored after a month. You will be in classes all day so perhaps there's enough to see with weekend trip, etc. You will probably run into a higher percentage of international students in Salamanca. It will be hot as well, but probably not as hot as in Granada. To avoid the heat, I personally would choose either Cadiz (capital) or San Sebastian because they are both unique and have lovely beaches.
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#24870 - 02/16/07 03:37 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 05/06/00
Posts: 9080
Loc: Madrid, Spain (was Columbus, O...
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tflanag1, I've been semi-following a blog by a college woman from the University of Portland (Oregon, USA) who's living in Granada, studying abroad for 5-months. (she's already been there one month) You can read about her experience @ http://spainaventura.blogspot.com/ . Most of the blog is not so much about the studying aspect in Granada as it is the living aspect but it's interesting, insightful, and entertaining with lots of photos. I found her one day when checking my website stats because she'd placed a link to MadridMan.com on her blog. Now I'm kind of stalking her BLOG! Saludos, MadridMan
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Visit BarcelonaMan.com for Barcelona information, Transportation, Lodging, & much MUCH more! Curious about what could POSSIBLY be inside the brain of MadridMan? Visit MadridMan's Madrid Blog
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#24872 - 02/16/07 11:15 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 06/03/04
Posts: 321
Loc: madrid
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I would choose Granada over Salamanca. You might also consider Santiago de Compostela.
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#24874 - 02/17/07 07:27 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 06/05/00
Posts: 1713
Loc: Phila., PA, USA
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Universidad International Menendez Pelayo in Santander (Cantabria) has some month-long Spanish study programs. I like its location (Avda. de los Castros) and the ambiance.
Weekend travel opportunities (if you can leave playa Sardinero): Bilbao and/or San Sebastian, Santillana del mar, Liebana & Picos de Europa.
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#24875 - 02/17/07 10:14 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 05/06/00
Posts: 9080
Loc: Madrid, Spain (was Columbus, O...
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How did we get two identical threads started by the same person? I'm going to combine the contents of the other thread into this one below: (below was posted by pedmar on 02-16-2007 09:25 PM ) we seems to be on track from the other site.You know my answer will pick Granada over Salamanca but prefer Madrid then San Sebastian. == (below post by tflanag1 on 02-16-2007 10:14 PM) Pedmar, Forgive me for misunderstanding, but could you please clarify? You would pick Granada over Salamanca, but you would rate Madrid #1 and San Sebastian #2? Thank you for your advice! == (below posted by pedmar on 02-16-2007 10:33 PM) yes ranking for me would be 1)Madrid 2)San Sebastian 3) Granada 4) Salamanca sorry could not help you on study courses. But inquire at the Embassy of your country in Madrid for referrals. == (below posted by tflanag1 on 02-16-2007 11:47 PM) Pedmar, I'm interested in your choices. Why do you choose Madrid and San Sebastian as your top picks? == (below posted by pedmar on 02-17-2007 02:20 PM) well its more a personal choice; i once lived in Madrid and visit every year like a pelerinage;;;; plenty of places to see and have fun;the food is a concentration of all the types from Spain. The barrios (neighborhoods) like Quintana off after the bullfightign arena to feel the real folks way of life.The ones to party hardy after a tough course like Chueca,latina, Centro,and Moncloa. then you have San Sebastian, beautiful beach town but at a bigger scale,with maginicent views over the mont igueldo and mont Urgull to the ocean and city below. the great ambiance at old town (casco antiguo) and Reyes Catolicos plus the opportunity to cross into France at Hendaye. hope it helps you narrowed it down:
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Visit BarcelonaMan.com for Barcelona information, Transportation, Lodging, & much MUCH more! Curious about what could POSSIBLY be inside the brain of MadridMan? Visit MadridMan's Madrid Blog
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#24876 - 02/25/07 10:30 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Full Member
Registered: 03/05/01
Posts: 102
Loc: Trumansburg, NY
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Ok, so I have a biased opinion, but I'd pick Salamanca. I seem to be in a minority here. I studied there many years ago, and liked it so much I stayed. I go back every year. I think it is perfect for a 1st time trip. 1. the spanish might be easier to understand (Granda has a southern accent to it) 2. the city is largest enough w/o being overwhelming 3. there are many schools to choose from (check out Don Quijote http://www.dq-salamanca.com/ Salminter www.salminter.com or Colegio Unamuno www.colegiounamuno.es to start). As far as side trips from Salamanca try numerous some small towns for the real feel of the land: La Alberca/Peña de Francia, Avila, Bejar, Candelario. Also, cities like Avila and Zamaora are not to far off. Portugal is only about an hours drive (my favorite town is Miranda do Douro over looking the river). Notice I didn't mention the over crowded tourist spots like the beach (even tho I love the beach and you will find me on one of them near Santander this summer). Good luck, and have fun. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself regardless of where you go. Karen
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#24878 - 03/02/07 02:42 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 10/02/00
Posts: 596
Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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I would pick Madrid for the fun and entertainment factor, the weekend sightseeing to other pueblos factor, and the ease of understanding the language better factor.
IN Valencia and other places in the north, there may be a dialect factor to consider, regions speaking their local language (Valenciano, Catalan, Basque) and then in the south (Granada) the Andaluz accent can be unforgiving on the ear.
I absolutely love all the choices above, but as far as studying the Spanish language, I would opt for the central part of the country. Madrid being the best place to explore many places.
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#24879 - 03/02/07 03:39 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 02/27/07
Posts: 291
Loc: Majadahonda (Madrid)
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I agree with Laduque that Madrid is may be the best place to learn Spanish, for many reasons.
I love Madrid, but remember that "tflanag1" are planing a summer course. May be for them the beach is important.
I don't think the accent is decisive, like English, Spanish has many different accents, not only in Spain but in America. Traditionaly the accent from Burgos was considered the best one, but now all of them are acceptable. Furthermore, biligualism is a real fact of Spanish society that I consider very interesting.
However, Madrid is a great choice.
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Damián
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#24880 - 03/02/07 04:10 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 10/02/00
Posts: 596
Loc: San Diego, CA, USA
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I wasn't dissing the accent thing, I was just suggesting that the Castellano accent in Madrid is more "international" (if you will) and may be possibly easier to pick up on. I don't think there is a "best" accent in any language. Also, Madrid is central to the whole country so even the beach (Valencian coast) is a mere 4-5 hours in car. Being a foreigner in Spain, I would want to experience the culture, the small towns, the art, food, and every other aspect of a foreign country.,
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#24881 - 03/05/07 09:43 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Member
Registered: 07/23/06
Posts: 37
Loc: Northern Virginia
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I'd also recommend Madrid, unless it will be in August. The city is practically empty then. I like Madrid because you get a little bit of everything. Small town feel in parts, and big city feel in others. Along with that, travel is SO easy, being in the center of the country. Beach is close, many of the famous small towns to visit are close (Toledo, Salamanca, Avila, Valle de los Caidos, etc). Also, with the speed train, you can even get to the other great towns very quickly: Barcelona, Sevilla, Granada, Cordoba, etc.
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#24882 - 03/25/07 12:30 AM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Executive Member
Registered: 03/22/02
Posts: 541
Loc: Texas
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I studied in Granada during the winter and LOVED it. However, for the summer, I would recommend Bilbao! I spent the summer there for my first study abroad experience and really liked it. Its a big city, lots to do and see in the North, good climate (aka not super hot in the summer!), plus you can get to the beach on the metro in 20 minutes! Another Bilbao plus is the very low percentage of foreigners or other study abroad students. Thats not the case in Granada or Salamanca, especially in the summer months! Just a thought:-) Kelly
_________________________
"Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente."
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#24883 - 03/27/07 12:41 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Junior Member
Registered: 01/27/03
Posts: 5
Loc: Kalispell, MT
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OK, I'm chiming in with my vote for Salamanca. I agree with previous posters that the accent in Madrid is the most universal, but I spent a summer in Madrid studying and it was unbelievably hot. There's a reason everyone leaves in August, and the city is virtually empty. It's waaayyy tooo hot. Salamanca is a jewel of a city, it's within train distance of several amazing day trips (Segovia, Vallodid, Toledo, Portugal, even Madrid) for weekends. It's a huge university presence, so there are many students around, which I found to be a plus for the atmosphere. RE: Granada, beautiful city, but I think the Andalusian accent would not be the very best place to learn immersion spanish.
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#24884 - 04/08/07 01:16 PM
Re: Which city should I pick for a month-long language program?
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Full Member
Registered: 03/20/05
Posts: 70
Loc: California
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I went for a two month language program in Salamanaca and ended up leaving for Madrid after 1 month because I was bored..well, I mean, I had seen everything and wanted a change. Madrid was fun, and for me the heat was much better than the heat in Sacramento (where I am currently living, which is around 105 during the summer).
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