Choosing a City: Why Bigger Isn’t Always Better

You know you want to study abroad, but where do you want to go?  Cities around the world come in all shapes and sizes.  But should you choose the city life or try for a smaller community?  How much does the decision matter?  I skipped this step of the process because my college told me exactly where I was going to go and when.  In order to complete a Spanish major at my alma mater, you had to study abroad, and you had to study abroad in a program that allowed you to take a large number of Spanish credits.  It was not impossible to go through other programs, but my college created a partnership with a small international language institute in Ávila, Spain (Instituto Español Murallas de Ávila) that perfectly met all of the degree requirements.  I knew that I wanted to study in Spain, so I took the preplanned route that my school had created.  I had never even heard of Ávila before my Spanish professor introduced me to the historic city located in Castilla y León, the autonomous community that wraps around Madrid to the West and North.  Looking back on my experience, I can now say that I am more than happy that I decided to live in a smaller city instead of a major one, such as nearby Madrid.  If you are studying abroad to develop your fluency in another language, I suggest that you consider skipping those opportunities to live in the “big name” cities for three main reasons:

 

1. Using the Language

Living in a smaller city will provide you with more opportunities to use the language that you are studying.  The larger cities in Europe, such as Rome, Paris, London, and Madrid, are international communities.  Tourists constantly flock to these cities, and you will find that many fellow expatriates live in the busiest parts as well.  English speakers will quickly realize that you do not need to speak Italian to experience Rome, nor do you need to know any Spanish past “Hola” to live in Madrid.  The locals in larger cities will likely recognize your accent and speak English to you, thwarting one of the major purposes of your time abroad.

In the small town of Ávila, I rarely encountered anyone who spoke English; I used Spanish to do everything.  Is it exhausting at first? Absolutely.  But there is no question that you will leave the country speaking, understanding, and writing the language better than before studying abroad.

 

2. Developing Community Connections

I lived in an apartment with a host family while I attended a small international language school in the heart of the historic section of the city.  Living in a smaller city allows you to develop closer connections to the small community that you have joined.  One of my favorite parts of the day was my walk to school.  Every morning, I saw parents escorting their children to school, often carrying their backpacks and smiling as they passed me on the street. One morning, I overheard a young girl practicing the months of the year in English.  My classmates and I also joined the local library and received our very own library cards.  We quickly developed daily habits and patterns closely mirroring those of the locals.  When you see the same locals more often, you will be more likely to develop connections with them and start feeling at home in a new place.

 

3. Experiencing the “Essence”

Living in a smaller city gives you more opportunities to experience some of the more traditional aspects of the country’s culture.  Some traditions have endured the test of time in the urban centers, but many have been left to the smaller communities.  For example, many have heard of the Spanish “siesta,” a period in the afternoon when businesses close down and people go home, relax, and spend time with family.  Do you think all of Madrid shuts down each afternoon to observe a “siesta?” Nope.  However, many restaurants, stores, and businesses in my small city did, forcing me to adjust myself to traditional Spanish life.  Developing your understanding of the language goes hand in hand with experiencing the culture.  Language and culture merge to give you the fullest experience possible.

Choosing the city and country in which you will study abroad is a major decision, albeit a personal one.  Again, my advice in this post centers on those who are studying abroad with the intention of learning a language.  No matter where you choose to study abroad, be open to the new adventures and new opportunities that will come your way, and be prepared to have the time of your life.

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Did you choose a big city or a small town when you studied abroad?  Why?  Leave a comment and let us know!

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Matt Thomas recently graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College in Rochester, NY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Spanish. He studied abroad in Ávila, Spain during his sophomore year of college, igniting a passion for travel, culture, and language. In addition to traveling (and falling for) Spain, he traveled to four other European countries and spent some time in Africa. Since returning from Europe, he has also taught English to international students studying in the United States. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Matt enjoys conversation, community, and iced coffee.[/accordion_tab]