Unforgettable Experience

Whatever you may be expecting of a language immersion program abroad, LITA provides, and so much more. My three week south trip dramatically improved my Spanish, exposed me to a new culture, and gave me life long memories of the people who impacted me. From cooking to swimming to hiking to biking, there really was so much to enjoy every day. This was all made possible by the LITA staff who carefully planned and organized all of our activities. The philosophy of the program can be felt so strongly. Rural areas really do offer the most authentic and immersive Spanish experience, linguistically and culturally. Being entirely in Spanish, it's true that the program asks a lot from students in that way. Once I accepted that challenge, I found myself speaking Spanish much more fluidly. I made mistakes, but every day I learned something new. I learned new words and phrases, but also new ideas. It was like tapping into a whole new side of myself; I learned so much just by being around my homestay family while they had casual conversations, and by engaging in their dinnertime debates. My homestay family was incredibly generous and welcoming. My "hermano acogido" showed me where we could play basketball, football, and go swimming in town. On the weekend, we took a trip to the beach, and another time, a day trip to the capital of Andalucía. They always prepared classic Spanish foods for me to try, and shared stories with me about their family history. It was cultural exchange at it's finest, and an experience I will never forget.