I went to Spain by this program and I can highly recommend this program for experiencing with the new cultures and gain more practice on Spanish. I have made a lot friends which I still keep in touch with them in business life. I took 4 weeks of Spanish courses before going to the placement in a top hotel. That made me more confident in my Spanish.
Cooking is like painting or writing a song. Just as there are only so many notes or colors, there are only so many flavors - I worked as a kitchen sous in a top hotel in Southern Spain.