Life-Long Benefits

Study Abroad Will Change Your Life!
• Have a competitive advantage over other college applicants and build your resume!
• Enter college with credits, saving you time and money!
• Be an effective communicator in two languages!
• Best way to prepare for the AP/IB exams!
• Have a lifelong world education!

Why study abroad?  Like most students, you probably spend your summer at sports practice, gossiping with friends around the pool, or checking out the latest movies. Why in the world would you spend a summer struggling to communicate with unfamiliar words and mystifying verb tenses?  Because around the graduation corner looms LIFE!  And, how you spend your high school summer influences how you will spend all the rest of them.

At SPI we emphasize the opportunities available to multilingual job candidates in today's international marketplace, the linguistic challenges of life in our global community, and the monetary rewards you'll receive as a result of your increased fluency and college credit.  Study abroad provides a super-charged learning experience that you take with you for the rest of your life! The rewards of study abroad go far beyond the tangible benefits, take a look at all the intangible benefits below.

Develop Fluency in a Foreign Language
Immersion is undoubtedly the only true way to gain fluency in another language and culture. Proficiency in more than 1 language opens doors to a world of career opportunities, a skill that you keep for the rest of your life!

Strengthen Your Self Esteem & Confidence Successfully overcoming culture shock, adapting to a new family, and learning communication skills in a second language gives you a sense of self-worth, inner strength, and personal empowerment.

Increase Your Career Skills
Your new multilingual talents will open doors in every field. Employees with the ability to speak a foreign language and function effectively in another culture are in high demand in today's business and professional world.

Gain Cultural & Geographic Awareness
Escaping your own cultural boundaries by living in another country, you learn first hand how people live, think and feel. You come to appreciate a new culture, its similarities and its differences. New cultural perspectives impact your daily life both at home and abroad!

Foster International Friendships
Travel abroad allows you to connect with people from all over the world and the U.S. Build life-long friendships with fellow travel mates and potential international business connections.

Gain Appreciation for the Arts and Foreign Travel
Your contact with art, architecture, literature, music, theater and dance unlocks treasures from the past and gives insight into the marvels of the present.

Builds Tolerance
When you study abroad, your struggle to learn a new language is the same as that of the world’s immigrants.  You understand what it feels like to “be a foreigner.” This humbling experience fosters a greater acceptance of “foreigners” in your own country.

"If you want to see the world, be the world, and know the world...travel with SPI!"

Testimonials From Students

Juan Carlos Alonso – Austin, TX "My summer abroad with SPI was simply amazing.  I met so many people from all over the world that I still keep in contact with!  The program was well rounded with just enough free time to really feel like we lived in the city, not just visiting it.  To top it off, my college already awarded me 3 hours of credit for the classes we did!"

Kathy Tran – Houston, TX "The SPI program in Cadiz was AMAZING! I loved every minute of it. The first day we arrived into Cadiz, our homestay family made sure we got to class alright and had a great meal waiting when we got back home. Even though we were busy all the time, I think we had the right amount of free time to really immerse ourselves in their daily routine. Definitely study abroad - it's worth it!"

Conrad Whitaker - Newport Beach, CA "I'm glad that I chose SPI programs. I had the time of my life this summer and made friends that I am sure I will stay close with. What you really learn from going abroad is not just the language or culture, but about who you are as a person."

Shulu Potter – Washington, DC "My two weeks that I spent in Queretaro was so much fun! I loved all of the excursions and SPI was great at organizing them. Queretaro was such a beautiful place, I really felt at home there. I am dying to go back as soon as I can!"

Dylan Graham, Houston, TX "I had so much fun this summer! The SPI directors and local staff helped us really experience the local culture from an insider's perspective and not as a tourist.  I can't wait to go back!"

Rebekah Yurco, Austin, TX "The classes were tailored perfect for everyone's level and the professors taught at just the right pace.  I grew so much from the entire experience. I really felt prepared for taking the AP exams in the spring and also felt even more prepared for college."

Wes Free – San Diego, CA “The excursions and hotels were awesome!  We got to see so much of the country and I was able to experience and learn from so many different people.  It was a big growing up experience for me.”

Tessa Lopez – Park City, UT "It was a once in a lifetime experience. You won't know how much you loved it and how much you miss it until you get home."

Anita Vijapura – Jacksonville, FL "The directors were fantastic!  They really went the extra mile to make sure that we got the most out of our time abroad. We had just enough freedom and support which made the experience a perfect mix of fun and serious learning."

Adam Johnson, Austin, TX "I loved my homestay family and the excursions...It is hard to pick one thing that was my favorite since every day we experienced something new. If I had to pick, taking surf classes, visiting the Guggenheim, and going for afternoon runs along the beach were by far the most memorable."

Izabel Puente – Austin, TX “I grew really close to my host family and I caught a glimpse of France’s culture in a way I never imagined possible before going on this trip.  I learned 10 times more this summer in France than a full year of classes at home.”