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I have studied Arabic, German, Hebrew, Russian, Spanish, and Urdu, and I can tell you that retention is aided greatly - even immensely - by time in the foreign setting. Language study abroad beats language study at home every time. There's something about the sights, sounds, smells, and even the dust of the home country that attaches itself to those otherwise free-floating words and binds them to memories. Definitely consider study abroad for languages. Even if you just want an introduction, let it happen in a native setting. Getting overseas allows you to adopt a temporary character, maybe without certain inhibitions that would make studying difficult at home. And if you intend to study the language deeply and seriously, including the literature, by all means get yourself overseas. Some languages are harder to learn than others. If you're committed to a "hard" language, commit yourself to a longer stay abroad. Studying Spanish or French for a month or two might be sufficient for polite conversation or to get you started, but it will only make you more dangerous than knowing nothing at all. And it won't scratch the surface of Chinese, Arabic, Finnish, Hindi, and others like them. If you're thinking of later using the foreign language, I recommend studying at least a semester. Almost all study abroad programs begin with language courses. For most, it's their focus. If you choose a reputable, well-established school, you'll find that the instructors are experienced and inventive. You'll want to study where you're not distracted and where the language learning experience is reality-based, in the markets and theaters, in the shops and business centers, etc. Economy doesn't mean lower quality. Some of the busier programs can offer discounted travel and lodging based on volume. One good Arabic program is accessible at http://www.hmaxos.com/, the website of a private Arabic teacher.
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Language Study Abroad
