<p>Having lived/gone to school abroad and in a foreign language, I can tell you a couple of things.</p>
<p>First of all, know that this is what you really want. Taking Spanish in high school should not be by any means a deciding factor with your decision. </p>
<p>Finals/Mid-terms, Papers, projects, lectures, etc etc will ALL be in Spanish. </p>
<p>"However, progressive figures who stood by the Cuban revolution abroad, such as writers like Saramago or Galeano, have rejected the death penalty in the name of the universal value of human life. They condemn all sorts of political violence, regardless of who implements it or the reasons standing behind it. "</p>
<p>Ok ok you can speak English. Now, translate that sentence into Spanish. (PLease don't I'm making a point)</p>
<p>Please, believe me. I am 100% for intercultural experiences. Heck, I started the AFS-International Club at my school, and lived in France. I'm bilingual and I am by no means trying to dissuade you.</p>
<p>Living abroad was one of the best decisions I made in my life. In fact, I myself am applying to the Sorbonne in Paris in the coming months. I am in the same boat as you.</p>
<p>UNDERGRAD ABROAD:</p>
<p>Pros: 100% bilingualism, great for future career, HECK OF A LOT cheaper than American schools (well probably not in the UK, but in France even the Sorbonne costs about 400 euros a year), international friends, etc etc</p>
<p>Cons: European schools have no dorms or meal plans or activities of any kind for that matter (although if you were in barcelona or madrid i don't think nightlife would be too much of a problem). You would have to live and rent an apartment in the city you're school is in. You must also consider flights back home, living expenses abroad (the strong Euro), also school would be INITIALLY very very challenging. College for most people is a challenging experience, add a foreign language and you'll be crying your eyes out. But this will be fleeting as a good year and a half there you will be able to get through school.</p>
<p>MAJOR PROBLEM:</p>
<p>I am unfamiliar with the educational system in Spain, but in France, essentially ANYONE can get into one of their schools (with the exception of the Grandes Ecoles, which are much more selective), but the fact of the matter is you need to actually STAY in the schools. Every year everyone takes one huge final and whoever fails it is booted. That's one reason why class sizes are ideal toward the 3rd year, because a good 25% of the class goes missing as the years go by. (French university is 3 years, another pro I would say)</p>
<p>I know it's not the same experience by any means, (trust me I know), but you could always attend an English/American university and spend a year in Spain, if learning Spanish is really what you want.</p>
<p>I hope I didn't just alienate myself from you, I was really just trying to help.</p>
<p>Good luck,</p>
<p>Scott</p>