EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

Spain is a country in Southwestern Europe that occupies about 85 percent of the Iberian Peninsula. It is also the third largest country in Europe after the Soviet Union and France. Spain struggled against successive waves of Phoenician, Carthaginian, Roman, Visigothic and Moorish invaders for more than 2,500 years. It eventually achieved independence and grew to become one of the world�s greatest empires, having vast possessions in both the Old World and the New World. With Spain experiencing its rebirth after being under a dictator for a long time, educational opportunities abound for those who wish to study in the country.

The country�s rich history has much to offer especially for students that do not wish to confine themselves to knowledge derived from books. An educational program is Spain aims to create in students an awareness of the variety of people and cultures existing in the country while helping the students understand the historical interconnection of religion, culture, politics and economics. A person�s college life can only be enhanced more with at least one chance to study in Spain.

LEARNING THE SPANISH LANGUAGE

It is only by living in a foreign country that one can truly learn a new language primarily by immersion. It gives a person the ability to become fluent in the language by speaking it on a daily basis. Knowing the Spanish language can be very advantageous since it is the official language of at least 21 countries. The number can easily reach 30 when territories are included. It is a fact that total immersion makes a person more marketable in the job world particularly on an international level. Another possiblity to learn the language is to attend a language school or do a volunteer vacation in Spain.

Spanish is the third most widely-spoken language in the world. This opens up a whole realm of possibilities to explore the world by working, teaching, volunteering, interning or even permanently residing in any one of the Spanish-speaking nations including Spain. Spain is considered the place where the language originated from. There are several varieties and dialects of the language but Castilian is Spain�s official dialect. It is characterised by a certain �lisp� of some consonants and a general formality compared to the other varieties.

REMINDERS TO PARENTS

The selection of a student�s study abroad program is as important as the selection of an appropriate UK college or university. Since information is widely available through the Internet, it is recommended that prospective foreign study students destined for Spain get a handbook from program providers. There are many tasks involved in planning to study abroad for Spain thus parents can do a lot to assist their sons or daughters towards accomplishing them. It would be a lot better if parents can go through the handbook with their children to help them in answering questions they may not be able to answer.

Parents are at all times concerned about the health and safety of their children. This fact is more emphasised when the child travels from home such as studying abroad in Spain. However, this concern need not prevent a student from pursuing additional learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Studying abroad is and always will be one of the most positive and rewarding experiences anyone could ever have. A student who observes the standard precautions and decorum required by a specific country under certain circumstances is exposed to more or less the same daily risk involved if he/she chooses to study in the UK.