For a foreign exchange student, which country is better to go in South America?

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J P

If you are North American, Panama (at least Panama City) will be most familiar to you since it has an American infrastructure thanks to the U.S. history with the canal. However, many Panamanians in the city will speak English (it's a big financial and banking center) so if you are looking for total Spanish immersion, I would go with Chile or Paraguay. Not Costa Rica because it is a hot retirement spot for American, British and Canadian retirees. You might not get the full immersion experience. Good luck and be sure to do your own research to make the best informed decision.

Must add, that it will be winter south of the equator during the time you will be on exchange so don't forget to factor in your weather preferences as well.

I heard Chile is a really awesome place to go....
I had plans on going there...then head on a bus to Argentina....(Stop by Mendoza and Cordoba along the way to Buenos Aires)

I have been to Paraguay and it has quite a few attractions but not enough to keep you occupied for 6 weeks.....(The one awesome thing you can do is head to Ciudad de Este....Cross over to Either Brazil or Argentina and check out Itapu Dam (largest in the world) and Foz de Igaucu Waterfalls.

Costa Rica and Panama are technically not considered South America....Central American.....so....that would kill those two options if you want a South American Country.. =P

But I heard Costa Rica is very beautiful, very popular tourist attraction among Americans...(maybe something you don't want).
Panama I don't know much about except the Canal and it used to be part of Colombia....I am sure it has various attractions....maybe someone else here can enlighten us

By the way, it also is preference of weather.....Paraguay and Chile will both be in their Winters...while Panama and Costa Rica are usually hot....(If my memory serves me well..Rain season over there in July)

Either or, it what you make of the trip in reality.....just choose and Enjoy!

AQUARIUS

Panama would definitely be the most successful country for you to learn Spanish in. Panama with a combination of its intriguing colonial past would enhance your learning experience. The modern infrastructural developments would definitely encapsulate you as an international student as Panama has advanced its transport, tourism and telecommunications industry. Panama's currency is the US dollar that would make your experience and travelling costs even easier to the country.

Panama city is surrounded by mountains and you can consult tour companies before going hiking or trekking. Horse riding with a tour guide would be a remarkable experience. You'd enjoy meeting the indigenous people of Panama and knowing more about their customs, traditions and languages.

Churches from the 17th and 18th centuries are beautifully maintained in Panama City even today. The Panama Canal is the main attraction of Panama City and you can even take a cruise on the canal while you're there for more than a month.

The markets in Panama are quite unique as they sell different kinds of foods, fruits, spices and herbs. Spices imported from the Caribbean, Spain, China and India would definitely be there in the markets.

You will enjoy the food and mixture of other international cuisines from as far as China, Japan and India in Panama City

Panama's climate is tropical and moderately humid all the times. It has a rich diversity of flora and fauna. So, you can go hiking during your visit to Panama's rainforests. It has a extremely friendly multicultural environment for students from different countries including the USA. Panama's coastlines and beaches are quite exotic for anybody visiting them. The people are very nice and generous to tourists or international students.

Don't forget to take a tour guide for Panama along with you when you travel. It will really help you tour the country well. You can get interesting facts on Panama tourism from online resources and especially Panama tourism websites. I have provided three different sources for your resarch on Panama before planning to study Spanish there.

Good luck and do share your experiences with your friends on Panama!

mixx

I suggest Chile. But i can tell one thing, 6 weeks is not enough to learn spanish
Now If you want to travel, You have, as you said, Los Andes, beaches, (I recommend Villarrica and Temuco)

lilreveuse

For the time of year, I would say either Paraguay or Chile. because the other two are in the middle of the rainy season.

pivoss

Well, first know that Costa Rica and Panama are in Central America, not South America.

MovetoLatinAmerica

I love Central America (Costa Rica, Panama, etc)!! but it's really hot and humid in June and July. For that reason I would go to Chile... in the Southern part of South America! The weather should be nice if you go to the City of Santiago (or near there.)

Have fun!

Leilyn

Panama

Nicole E

I have been in all those Countries and studied in two of them..
I rather be a hundred times in Panama
It will also depend on what is your major and what school you will be attending.

But if you want to have fun and relax after school and be able to go to a nice beach GO to PANAMA

Laurie Lee

Your reasons for Chile sound perfect to me. Costa Rica and Panama would be extremely hot. Not sure where Paraguay is. But mountains, the Pacific Ocean...... that is BEAUTIFUL!

Where ever you go, have fun! And talk to as many locals as you can, especially the older folks. You sure can learn a lot from them! LL

Mel 23 (argentina_2301)

In July in South America is winter. Winter in Chile is very cold... I'm from Argentina so I'll choose my country because it's very beautiful, but Chile is a nice place too. The water in the ocean is very cold, and, in July, you can't go to the beach, but maybe you could enjoy the mountains.

Heather H

Costa Rica

CARLOS O

First both Costa Rica and Panama are CENTRAL-AMERICA!!!

If South, Argentina, NOT Chile!!!

If North: Costa Rica!!!

Da 1 N only

yeah it a nice place, and the girls are hot, but the girls from Argentina are HOTTER, i seen some of them in t.v. but the guys are fags.
i wouldn't go to costa rica, nor panama, because those countries are really poor.

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