Language Partners
Have Fun with Local College Students while you Study Abroad in France, Spain or Costa Rica!
In 2003, ECI launched its Language Partners Program to address the need for more quality interaction between teens traveling on our summer abroad trips and local youth. Language Partners are carefully chosen young people (usually university students) who have agreed to work with us during our summer programs in France, Spain & Costa Rica.
Once or twice per week, you'll break into smaller groups of two or three to chat and discuss a wide variety of topics such as entertainment, school, politics, travel, vacations, sports & much more – in the target language of course.
You might meet at small cafés, go shopping together, explore the town, and interact together in a variety of ways to help you experience another culture from the inside, as lived by people your own age.
These interactions have proven to be invaluable opportunities for ECI participants to practice their conversation skills and to develop friendships that have the potential to last a lifetime.
In the words of some of our Summer Abroad Students:
My favorite activities were the times with the Language Partners. I loved exploring Granada and speaking only in Spanish.
Zach H.
Being able to relate with Camille was great. We really connected and I enjoyed comparing and contrasting our cultures.
Molly M.
“Conversation with my language partner was very relaxed and she helped me with my grammar and accents.
Christian C.
I think my favorite activity was the Language Partners. They were all super cool and nice, and really made me feel like I knew the local Costa Rican culture.
David B.
Our Language Partner helped us get to know the culture and the area we were in. I learned a lot about Salamanca.
Nicole P.
