Learn Spanish, make friends and do something really worthwhile

I taught English in Santa Maria for four months as part of my university Year Abroad, and I'd recommend the experience to anyone. You feel like you're making a real difference with your teaching, as Santa Maria is quite isolated so there isn't any other way that local people would learn what is becoming a very useful skill for job-hunting in Paraguay. Because the classes are every day you can really see the improvement in the students, and being able to plan and teach classes on your own from the get-go is a real confidence-builder for those who haven't taught before. It's also great fun to have the freedom to experiment with class structure and have fun with the students, as well as preparing them for exams. I'm still in touch with some of my students, and it's great to see that because of the continuing commitment of volunteers - as well as their own hard work - their English is still constantly improving. As regards to daily life I think Santa Maria is one of the best places you could do an overseas placement - it's such a small town that you don't have a choice but to be integrated into the community, and there are so few foreigners that your Spanish will improve enormously. I loved staying with a host family as well - it's the best way to settle in to a new place. This was by far the easiest of my Year Abroad placements in terms of logistics - SMEF will organise your accommodation and host family for you, and provide extensive guidance and support in the run up to and during the placement. It's also a really safe area, as it's so small and everyone knows each other. I was initially worried that I'd get bored in a small rural town, but my spare time quickly filled up with getting to know my students and host family, exploring the surrounding villages, learning the Paraguayan harp and a bit of Guaraní, learning to make local dishes and sewing with the women in the local Artisan workshop. SMEF was also kind enough to give me time off to visit some amazing tourist destinations nearby, like the Iguazú Falls and Buenos Aires.