“One language sets you in a corridor for life. Two languages open every door along the way.” – Frank Smith, a contemporary psycholinguist.
Language immersion trips present a valuable opportunity to not only become bilingual but also to gain in-depth knowledge of another country and culture. That can enhance your life professionally, personally, and even mentally and spiritually.
After all, 66% of job recruiters actively look for multilingual or bilingual talent. Additionally, when you travel abroad and learn a foreign language, you can form lifelong friendships and relationships.
Studying languages abroad can even benefit your health and intellect. Being bilingual can prevent cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the American Council on Science and Health.
Now that you know the importance of speaking a second language, let’s talk about language immersion trips worldwide that can help you become bilingual. Here, we’ve put together a detailed list of the best programs for studying languages abroad.
What Do Language Immersion Trips Involve?
Before we dive into the programs, let’s discuss what you’ll do when you travel abroad for a language immersion trip.
Generally speaking, you’ll take classes for several hours each day. Outside of class, you may volunteer, work, intern, or take other classes (depends on the program). For example, certain gap year language immersion programs will include lots of cultural activities so that you can practice the language in a natural setting.
The point is this: During the trip, you’ll be learning every step of the way, whether you’re chatting with locals at the market, studying grammar in class, or visiting a museum.
There are lots of programs out there, from trips for beginners to courses designed for those developing full fluency. From Vietnamese to Swahili to Italian, you can find a program for any target language.
Finally, realize that many language immersion programs offer academic credit. As you look through programs, check to see if you can gain college credit and inquire with your university if they’ll be able to transfer those credits. If you’re a student, this is an excellent benefit of studying languages abroad. Don’t miss out on it!
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Established in 2007, International Volunteer HQ sent over 100,000 volunteers overseas in just over a decade. Recognized as one of the most reputable volunteer abroad organizations, institutions and companies like UCLA, Northwestern University, Salesforce, and Microsoft have all volunteered with IVHQ.
Known for having a variety of volunteer abroad programs, IVHQ also boasts some great language immersion trips worldwide. Read below!
- In Brazil’s Carnival Volunteering at a Samba School in Rio de Janeiro, volunteers aged 18+ assist with costume creation for leading Samba schools, immersing themselves in Portuguese and Brazilian culture during one of the world’s biggest parties.
- The Holiday Experience in Córdoba, Argentina, allows volunteers aged 16+ to spread holiday cheer while practicing Spanish, supporting marginalized communities during Christmas and New Year.
- Ecuador’s School Break Program in Quito engages volunteers in teaching and entertaining children during school holidays, offering a chance to enhance Spanish skills.
- The Ramadan Volunteering Programs in Morocco and Jordan provide unique opportunities to experience Muslim culture firsthand. Volunteers observe Ramadan customs, support low-income communities by distributing food, and practice Arabic or French.
These programs are ideal for compassionate individuals seeking meaningful travel experiences that foster language skills through cultural immersion and community engagement.
With more than 150 community, education, and environmental projects, as well as plenty of cultural exchange initiatives, it’s easy to see why GoEco is so well-regarded. They’re also affordable and have great in-country support.
If you want to travel abroad and learn a foreign language, GoEco has several programs worth considering:
- In Japan’s Wildlife Conservation and Cultural Immersion, volunteers live in a Buddhist temple on Sado Island, engaging with Japanese locals and international volunteers—offering ample opportunities to practice Japanese while aiding in conservation efforts. The Japan English Exchange places you in a traditional mountain village to help locals improve their English through conversation, while you receive Japanese language lessons and participate in cultural activities like sushi making and hot spring visits.
- In Portugal’s Food Rescue in Lisbon, work alongside local teams to combat food waste, providing a real-life setting to practice Portuguese.
- The Cambodia Sustainable Community Development program includes Khmer language lessons and cultural orientation, allowing you to learn the local language while teaching English and assisting with community projects.
- Cape Verde’s English Teaching program offers daily Creole language lessons during Culture Week, enabling volunteers to immerse themselves linguistically while empowering local children academically.
These programs offer meaningful travel experiences that foster language skills through cultural immersion and community engagement.
Founded in 2003, Maximo Nivel specializes in volunteer, teach, and study abroad programs in Latin America, all with an educational component. Projects tackle challenges in education, wildlife and environmental conservation, and development. If you want to learn Spanish abroad in Latin America, absolutely look at what Maximo Nivel has to offer.
Maximo Nivel’s Spanish immersion trips receive particularly high praise, and suit everyone from university students to working professionals. If you’re in college, know you may be able to obtain academic credit (check with your school). See more details below!
Gain academic credit, accelerate your career, or simply immerse yourself in another culture when you join Maximo Nivel’s Native Spanish Program. Recognized as one of the most intense and professional Spanish immersion programs in Latin America, notable aspects of the course include:
- Customized instruction: Get one-on-one tutoring in your field of work or study. For example, you can take medical Spanish or Spanish for business.
- Small group classes: Regular courses have 2 to 8 students. That means much more individualized attention.
- Super intensive courses: You get the option to take 6 hours of Spanish classes each day.
- Activities beyond the classroom: Spend time with a language partner through the Tandem Language Exchange Program, which gives you the chance for meaningful intercultural exchange. You can make a lifelong friend and you both can become bilingual! Sightseeing, shopping, and more during free time will also improve your Spanish skills.
- Host family stay: Expect to practice your Spanish from dawn till dusk. The welcoming family will establish a comfortable environment for putting your Spanish to the test.
Course fees for the Native Spanish Program vary by class type and location. See the price charts on Maximo Nivel’s site. All are affordable. Ready to take your Spanish to the next level? Apply to the Native Spanish Program here.
Around since 1992, Projects Abroad is one of the most trusted names among volunteer and study-abroad organizations. They place more than 10,000 folks overseas each year, a testament to the quality of their programs. Major publications like the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN have all featured Projects Abroad.
Projects Abroad offers immersive Spanish language courses in
designed to enhance your language skills while experiencing life in a Spanish-speaking country. Taught by highly trained native speakers, these courses are tailored to your proficiency level, whether you’re a beginner or looking to improve existing skills. You can choose between one-on-one or small group lessons, covering speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
The flexibility of the programs allows you to study full-time or combine your language course with volunteering or internships, such as teaching English, supporting early childhood development, or gaining medical experience. Living with host families and engaging with local communities provide ample opportunities to practice conversational Spanish in real-life settings.
By immersing yourself in the language and culture, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of local perspectives, enhance your communication skills, and enrich your personal and professional development while exploring new destinations.
Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) offers immersive language programs through their Cultural Orientation Weeks in:
These programs focus on teaching participants the local language—such as Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Sinhala, and Swahili—through lessons with native speakers. Volunteers engage in language classes that enhance their communication skills, enabling them to interact more effectively with local communities.
Beyond classroom learning, participants immerse themselves in the culture by exploring local sights, participating in traditional activities like cooking classes, temple visits, and arts workshops.
In Tanzania, for example, volunteers practice Swahili while staying in a Maasai village, offering a unique opportunity to use the language in daily life. This combination of language education and cultural experiences allows volunteers to practice new vocabulary in real-world settings, fostering deeper connections and understanding.
By integrating language learning with volunteering, IVI provides a holistic experience that enriches both the participants and the communities they serve.
Volunteering Solutions offers immersive Language and Orientation Weeks in India and Nepal to help participants delve deeper into local cultures before starting their volunteer projects.
In Delhi, India, volunteers learn basic Hindi phrases, explore historical sites like the Taj Mahal, and engage in cultural activities such as cooking classes and Bollywood movie screenings.
In Kathmandu, Nepal, participants receive Nepali language lessons, visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and learn about local customs and traditions. These one-week programs provide a meaningful head start, enabling volunteers to communicate effectively with locals and enrich their overall experience.
Ready for Your Language Immersion Trip?
Now that you know all about language immersion trips worldwide, you’re ready to choose a program, pack your bags, and depart. No matter the language you wish to study, your budget, and your location preferences, you can join an overseas program that suits your needs.
For more help on choosing a language immersion program and reducing costs associated with studying languages overseas, check out our other resources. See the links below!
From fundraising tips to French language immersion trips, we’ve covered it all:
Best Volunteer Abroad Programs
French Language Immersion Programs
Spanish Immersion Programs
Volunteer and Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
Picking a Program and Fundraising on Volunteer Forever
Nick Callos ยท Writer
With a BA in English Literature & Writing from Boston College, Nick researches and writes about volunteer, intern, and teach abroad programs worldwide. He has studied abroad and taught English in Chengdu, China, and aims to help fellow travelers make a lasting impact on the communities they visit.