Study Abroad in Spain

Prior to engaging in the life-changing, soul-stimulating, and mind-blowing experience that studying abroad in Spain will be, it’s important to take a few first steps:

• Secure a passport! You won’t be able to board the plane let alone enjoy a café con leche without one!
• Register your study abroad trip with the State Department. Think of this as a bit of “insurance” in case anything bad happens, like losing your passport, while abroad.
• Contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country to determine which visas and documentations are required to study in Spain.
• Take a look at our Spain study abroad programs to determine which one is right for you!

Once you’ve selected your program, secured your documents, and prepared for your journey, consider adding an internship to your experience. Spain is one of the world’s leading countries in renewable energy, has one of the largest tourist industries on the globe and is bustling with international businesses. Why not secure an internship researching renewable energy sources, guiding tourists through famous landmarks or buffing up on foreign trade policies? Adding an internship to your experience can be a great way to make friends, experience Spanish culture and jazz up your resume.

Studying abroad in Spain is an amazing way to witness traditional architecture, examine the customs of the country’s various cultures and witness the power of community movements, protests and activism. You can spend time photographing architecture like that of Antonio Gaudi’s Park Güell and Sagrada Famĺlia or the Moorish Nasrid Dynasty’s Alhambra Palace. Or maybe you will want to pass your days studying the intricacies of Spain’s numerous cultures and influences like those of northern Spain’s Basque region or Southern Spain’s Moors and Arabs. You could even learn about north-eastern Spain’s ongoing struggle for independence, autonomy and freedom. No matter how you choose to spend your time while you study abroad in Spain, you are sure to have an eye-opening experience.

Life in Spain

Spain is located in southwestern Europe and shares borders with France, Portugal and the tip of the African country of Morocco. It abuts the Mediterranean and Balearic Seas, the Atlantic Ocean and the Bay of Biscay. Its mostly mountainous terrain is affected by oceanic, continental and alpine climates; for the most part, the country is warm and dry in the summer and chilly and wet in the winter.

The languages spoken in Spain vary by region. Basque is most commonly spoken in northern Spain while Catalan and Galician are spoken in eastern and western Spain respectively. Spanish is the most commonly spoken language throughout the country. Study abroad in Spain and you will have the opportunity to practice your Spanish, add a few key Basque, Catalan and Galician phrases to your vocabulary and discover whether or not the myths about the infamous Spanish “lisp” are true.

Studying in Spain will not only build your Spanish language capacity, it will also build your capacity to take “siestas,” enjoy wine with dinner and embrace the celebratory and relaxed demeanor of the Spaniards. It will allow you to experience the Sabatini Gardens and Royal Palace in the metropolitan city of Madrid, enjoy the singing, dancing and guitar playing of flamenco in the territory of Andalusia and maybe even run with the bulls in the city of Pamplona. Spain will invite you to enjoy great food, frequent colorful street fairs and explore expansive museums, castles and palaces. Study abroad programs in Spain will beckon you to enjoy life, expand your knowledge and discover unique cultures.

History and Culture in Spain

Traces of the Roman and Umayyad Islamic Empires join the remnants of the Gothic Kingdom, the Spanish Golden Age, Basque nationalism and radical movements to generate an environment unique to Spain. Modern-day Spain invites the aromas of the past to comingle with the commitments of the future to provide residents with an experience infused by the depth of the past, the beauty of the future, and the security of the present. Residents and visitors of Spain are often times blown away by the country’s unique blend of cultural roots and avant-garde policies, promises and undertakings.

Top Five Reasons to Study Abroad in Spain

1. Why not study in a country that allows time for visiting friends, enjoying a communal dinner, or taking an actual nap in the middle of the afternoon? It is common for businesses in Spain to shut down for a few hours every afternoon to relax or spend time with friends and family.
2. Have an adventurous pallet? Albondigas, Tortillas de Patatas, Café con leche and some of the tastiest ice creams in the world are found in Spain. Enough said!
3. Ready to immerse yourself in a rich culture? Spain offers an abundance of cultural, social and political opportunities. This is your chance to tour the Alhambra, visit Park Güell and watch pilgrims complete El Camino de Santiago.
4. Want to get the biggest bang for your buck? Studying abroad in Spain allows you to enjoy short trips to places like Portugal, France, numerous Spanish islands, and the African country of Morocco. You can easily visit these places by boat, bus, or train.
5. Ready to try something new, but still want some of the comforts of life in the states? Spain offers a perfect blend of historic culture, aged communities and modern amenities making time spent studying in Spain dynamic, interesting and comfortable.