Spanish is so stellar that it extended well beyond its birthplace in Spain (OK, colonization might have had something to do with that). With 15 countries using Spanish as their official language, the biggest factors to consider when choosing a Spanish degree program abroad are cost of living, culture, lifestyle, and particular accents of the region.

On the Iberian Peninsula lies sunny Spain, birthplace of Castellano and the most popular destination to earn a Spanish degree abroad. It’s paradise for linguistic fans; you’ll notice many accents (and four languages!) as you travel across regions. The Spanish lisp reigns in Zaragoza, and words start getting cut off as they leave an Andalusian’s mouth. Feeling a little overwhelmed by it all? Echa el freno. It’s totally cool to reboot with a little siesta. If that doesn’t cut it, bring on the sangria and bite-sized tapas.

Furthermore, Spain’s proximity to Europe and Northern Africa make it an easy jumping off point for international holiday travel. However, there’s also plenty to keep you busy in Spain for years: the Prado museum in Madrid, the Camino de Santiago trail across the north of Spain, the Alhambra in Granada, and cultural festivals celebrated throughout the year, such as Las Fallas in Valencia or La Mercé in Barcelona.

If you decide to earn a Spanish degree in Argentina, you’ll be able to cozy up to a warm mate tea while reviewing verb tenses, or bike around this country’s wine vineyards, hike to massive glaciers, explore colorful neighborhoods in Buenos Aires, and watch a live tango performance in the streets. Sounds pretty good right? Many are stunned by the European-style architecture in Buenos Aires, which is full of Italian and French influences. In January, check out the Fiesta Nacional del Folclore, a folklore and dance festival. In August, hit the slopes for Fiesta Nacional de la Nieve (National Festival of the Snow).

Some of the most stunning ancient ruins in the world are located in Spanish-speaking Mexico, land of the Mayans. When you aren’t busy studying Spanish in México, it’s easy to find beaches, volcanoes, deserts, cenotes, canyons, mountains, and everything in between. Most likely, you’ll be studying Spanish in the cosmopolitan Mexico City (D.F.), where many of the large universities and commercial hubs are located. Keep your brain fueled with tacos al pastor, your mind stimulated with endless (free!) museums, and your senses engaged in the many mercados and plazas.

Choosing to work toward a Spanish degree in Peru will bring you to a country where the new and old mix every day. Lima, with its large universities, is a city that has many historic colonial buildings sprinkled throughout modern skyscrapers. The native Quechua culture and language is still very prominent in the country, especially in mountain towns. While earning your Spanish degree in Peru, be sure to plan a visit to the Sacred Valley, where you can visit the old Incan Empire’s capital city, Cuzco, or to the ruins that make Peru world-famous, Machu Picchu. And the good news is, when you get bored with formal Spanish, you can try a hand at indigenous languages!