We live in the country where wifi/cell signals are extremely low to non-existant. I've tried researching but so far haven't gotten a clear answer, can you fly the Spark with no wifi? I'm looking to buy a drone and was wanting to start with the Spark until I got comfortable with using one before upgrading to a more expensive one like the Mavic Pro.

Hi. Thank you for considering DJI drone as your aircraft. The DJI Spark is one of the best consumer drones in the market today. I understand that you want to know if you will be able to use the DJI Spark without wifi. Yes, you will be able to fly the DJI Spark without wifi.  

Not sure if I understand you right!

Yes, you can fly the Spark without wifi, in gesture mode. ONLY

But:
The spark is creating the wifi, in which the RC (if you get one) or the phone is loging into.
The RC also creates a wifi, the device is loging into, if that said RC is in use/connected to the Spark (drone, others doing the same, 2.4Ghz or 5.8Ghz WIFIS)
this said:
No, if you really wanna FLY the Spark, wifi is the control modus, connecting Spark and flightdevice/remotecontrol, you can't fly the Spark /a drone without the/a wifi connection

As Seven explained, Spark generates a WiFi signal that the remote or your smartphone can connect to and fly the drone. It does not have anything to do with the Internet.
You eill use WiFi to connect to the drone.
I would say if the WIfi there is not widespreaded that may be an advantage as there will be less interference

the Spark itself and the remote produce the wifi signal. you're not going to be out and about looking for areas with a wifi signal.