The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Spain

• The language. There is no better way to learn a language than by immersing yourself in it. Studying abroad in Spain gives you the opportunity to hear, speak, write, and read Spanish, morning ‘til night. There’s no way you won’t improve your Spanish language skills – one of the most popular languages spoken on Earth. 
• The culture. Spain is a famously inviting country rich in culture, history, cuisine, and a whole lot more. And, of course, it boasts an incredible art scene with some of the greatest collections and masterpieces in the world.   
• The food. You could choose Spain solely for its food. We won’t judge you – it’s that good. While it’s of course known for paella, our alums favor the country’s calçots, escalivada, gazpacho andaluz, and many more delicious dishes. 
• The climate. Yes, the weather varies between cities. Southern cities, like Seville or Malaga, tend to be milder than northern cities like, Madrid or Barcelona. But overall, Spain offers a lovely Mediterranean climate with hot summers perfect for spending time at the beach. 
• The affordability. Depending on your program, your housing, excursions, study tours, and tuition will all be included in your CIEE fee. But honestly, the cost of living in Spain is quite affordable. Cheap eats are readily available. And, you can travel about using Spain’s low-cost, highly efficient public transit system.  

How to Study Abroad in Spain  

As we noted earlier, CIEE offers close to 30 different ways you can study abroad in Spain. How you do it is entirely up to you. To get you on the right track, we recommend you ask yourself the following five questions: 

1. Why do I want to study abroad in Spain? Maybe to experience the culture, or further your Spanish language skills. Maybe it’s to boost your resume or develop practical skills as an international intern. Determine your “why” first and foremost. After that, the rest will start falling into place. 
2. How long do I want to go abroad? You may have a lot of flexibility in your schedule, or maybe you don’t. Fortunately, we offer programs that are as short as 20 days, as long as 18 weeks, and a lot of others in between.  
3. What program makes the most sense for my goals and degree? Below we go into our amazing program options in Spain.
4. Am I eligible? Different programs have different requirements, such as GPA, language skills, etc. Don’t get your heart set on the program until you check these requirements.  
5. Can I afford it? Our fees go a long way and typically cover tuition, tours, excursions, orientation, on-site support, airport meet-and-greet, and more. We also offer millions of dollars in scholarships and grants each year, based on financial need and merit. Your college’s study abroad advisor may also know of other avenues of financial support. Be sure to reach out to them for more information and guidance. 

Study Abroad in Spain Tips 

Essential documents: 

• Passport + a photocopy (just in case) 
• Visa + a photocopy  
• A second form of valid ID (e.g., driver’s license or government-issued ID) 
• Plane tickets  
• Proof of health insurance 
• Proof of CIEE enrollment 
• Cash (Spain uses the Euro) and a credit card accepted in Spain 

Essential items: 

• Comfortable walking shoes (ideally closed-toe and waterproof) 
• Camera to capture Spain in high-def 
• One nice outfit for special occasions 
• Prescription medications (enough for the stay if possible) 
• Preferred over-the-counter medications 
• Prescription eyewear 
• A reusable water bottle that you can fill up at the airport and use when on-the-go in Spain 
• Adapters to compatibly charge your tech in Spain’s electrical outlets 
• Sunglasses + sunblock 

We offer the most amazing programs for studying abroad in Spain – and in five epic cities around the country, including: 

• Alcalá de Henares: A small, charming city with a large student population 
• Barcelona: An international tourist hot spot and seaside city 
• Madrid: Spain’s political and cultural center  
• Palma de Mallorca: A dreamy Mediterranean island  
• Seville: The city of a thousand faces, colors, tastes, and smells 

Read More: Best Places to Study Abroad in Spain 

Our study abroad and global internship programs offered across each Spanish city vary by location. Generally, our Spanish study abroad programs include: 

• J-term: These three-week winter programs are convenient for students who want to go on short-term study abroad adventures during their winter breaks between classes back home. 
• Engineering + Society: Designed for students interested in aerospace, energy, or biomedical engineering courses. 
• International Business + Culture: The perfect program for students who want to earn credits in business, economics, marketing, communication, history, psychology, literature, chemistry, biology, and more. 
• Language + Culture: Ideal for students eager to learn more about Spanish history, religion, literature, linguistics, marketing, journalism, and more. 
• Liberal Arts: Designed for students majoring in humanities, social sciences, journalism, economics, business, or communications. 
• Open Campus Block: The most customizable program available! Students can spend one, two, or up to three consecutive six-week blocks living and learning in one of Spain’s Open Campus Block locations – or another qualifying city around the world! 
• Summer Business + Culture: Perfect for students who want to spend their summers appreciating stunning architecture, world-class cuisine, and Spain’s vibrant cultural heritage. 
• Summer Global Internship: The ideal program for students who want to gain real-world work experience while living and learning in Spain. Internships can be part-time or full-time, depending on your preference. 
• Summer Global Internship Language Immersion: This program offers all the perks of a summer internship with an expanded focus on strengthening your business vocabulary, immersing yourself linguistically, and gaining relevant work experience in a new culture.