Language schools

[zuma022]

I was wondering if I could get some opinions. I've started learning Spanish late last year, but had to take some time off thanks to a crazy work schedule. I'm back at it now and have been daydreaming about going to a Spanish speaking country to study the language while being fully immersed. I did that when learning English and I think it worked out quite well.
What I am unsure about is the location. I've always wanted to visit Uruguay, spend time along the coast and also visit Patagonia/ Tierra del Fuego. I'm thinking of taking a course in Montevideo and then head south to travel. While my Spanish isn't great, I do know Uruguay/Argentina have a pretty distinct accent that can be hard to understand. Do you think it would be better to study in a country with a more 'neutral accent'? Obviously each country has its own nuances but I don't think I'd choose the deep south to learn English.
I'd love to hear opinions and/or experiences.

[BenCondor]

Hola,
Ecuador is thought to have a fairly "neutral" accent as I understand it, though obviously this would depend in part on perspective. People there seem to pronounce their words pretty clearly as well. The "Southern Cone" countries (most notably Argentina and Uruguay) have differences in vocabulary and accent due in part to a large influx of Italian immigrants in the formative years of its development. aleCcowaN could give much more information on this I'm sure. The Spanish/Castillian of Spain (or at least the accent heard on national broadcasts) sounds "lispy" to those used to Latin American Spanish as C's are pronouned somewhat like the english "th" in contrast to most Latin American accents in which they are pronounced like an S. This is a matter of taste, of course, and no phonology can really be said to be "better" than another.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

I think you should go to wherever you feel like it. There is a standard Spanish where we all understand each other; things only get difficult at the level of colloquial language, but schools won't focus on such side of Spanish, so you will learn the language wherever you decide to take lessons. =)

[zuma022]

Thanks for the replies. I'm not so worried about the school, I know that will depend on the instructors more than anything. Just more if I'll be able to understand people and can practice in every day life. But yeah I think anywhere I can go it would help my Spanish.

[poli]

Montevideo is a slowpaced place, and not too interesting. Perhaps is a good place for serious studies, because there are fewer distractions there than in other Latin American capitals.

[ROBINDESBOIS]

I´m from Spain, and we have lots of inmigrants from Latin America, Colombians, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, Venezuelans have a nice understandable accent. Argentinians too, of course.
I find difficulty with Ecuadorians, Peruvians and Bolivians and some Paraguayans. I went to Panama once and their accent is not that great either. I like the way Colombians speak, definitely is the clearest.