clear water ocean palma spain
Palma de Mallorca, Spain

Mediterranean Marine Ecosystems & Sustainability

STEM

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,150

Highlights

Fieldwork with pros

Immersion with a host family

Outdoor adventures

Service-learning (12 hrs)

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Dates

-

3 weeks

Costs

$6,150

Highlights

Fieldwork with pros

Immersion with a host family

Outdoor adventures

Service-learning (12 hrs)

Application Deadline

Enroll Now

Request Information

Overview
Swim the crystal-clear waters of Mallorca to study the rich local marine ecosystem. Come home with inspiration for a future career in marine biology!

Teeming with biodiversity, the Mediterranean Sea supports more than 17,000 different species, making magnificent Mallorca in the western Mediterranean a special place to focus on sustainability. Here, where Marine Protected Areas abound, you’ll learn firsthand about marine organisms and their interactions with coastal and marine ecosystems.

Engage with expert ecologists and biologists in class, in the lab, and in the field as you explore nature, inventory species, and monitor habitats. In the process, you’ll discover key species under threat from marine pollution and human activity—and how to make a difference.

There’s also plenty of time to get out on the water and in! Swim, snorkel, kayak, paddleboard–do it all and play beach volleyball, too. Immerse yourself in island life and Mallorquin culture through your homestay and meet-ups with local teens. Take in the sights from the medieval Bellver Castle with its beautiful bird’s-eye view of Palma to the colorful Olivar Market to the Es Baluard contemporary art museum. And don’t miss the homemade almond ice cream at Palma’s 300-year-old café! 

Why Choose This Program?

Explore

Have fun discovering Mediterranean life on land and at sea.

Network

Meet new friends and marine biologists. Build your own community.

Get Inspired

Inventory environmental threats to marine species. Discover how to make a difference back home.

Destination
  • coastline palma de mallorca spain sunny
  • downtown mallorca spain building palm trees
  • Group of Global Navigators on a cliff in Palma de Mallorca

The Destination

Welcome to Mallorca, a tourism hot spot known for dramatic landscapes and crystal blue waters. 

It’s easy to fall in love with this stunning Balearic Island off the east coast of Spain. You can wander in any direction and be mesmerized by scenic coves, exquisite limestone mountains, luscious greenery, and a sea so clear that you can see the grains of sand at the bottom of the sea.  

The capital, Palma de Mallorca, known as the “pearl of the Mediterranean,” bustles with tourism and commerce today. Here you’ll experience the spirited vibe and Mediterranean flair of streets filled with stylish boutiques, quirky shops, art galleries, and artisanal bakeries. Most restaurants spill out onto pedestrian streets buzzing with families enjoying their evenings together. 

Founded by the Romans in 123 BC, Palma has been a crossroads of cultures throughout history. Its rich Islamic past is still evident within the Casco antiguo, or Old Town, which also boasts Gothic structures from the Middle Ages and many hidden treasures, small museums, courtyards, and even an 800-year-old olive tree! Be sure to take a picture there of the tallest Gothic structure in Europe—La Seu cathedral.   

Cultural Awareness

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Palma de Mallorca.

 
Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Objective

You will settle into your homestay and start studying marine organisms (plankton and algae) at the Aula de la Mar lab. You will conduct fieldwork with an inventory of species at Dragonera Natural Park and upload group findings to seawatchers.net. 

Highlights*

  • Playa Can Pere Antoni
  • Scavenger hunt throughout the city
  • Beach and rocky shore exploration
  • Fieldwork on Dragonera Island to spot wildlife
  • Spanish classes
  • Host family day

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will study marine organisms (vertebrates, invertebrates, seagrasses, and algae) and inventory bird species in the wetlands of S’Albufera Natural Park. You will investigate the human impact on marine environments. In small groups, you will select a topic for a Project on protecting marine biodiversity.

Highlights*

  • Palma Aquarium
  • Can Pastilla beach
  • Museum of contemporary arts visit
  • Fieldwork in S'Albufera wetlands
  • Swimming and snorkeling in Alcudia and 
  • Hike to Call Baix for stunning views on the beach and Mediterranean
  • Tie dye workshop
  • Kayaking
  • Bellver Castle visit

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Objective

You will analyze data and draw conclusions about the human impact on marine life and ecosystems. You will conduct more fieldwork on the uninhabited island of Cabrera. In the end, you will integrate your class, lab, and field work to finalize your project and present it to your group. 

Highlights*

  • Palma Cathedral
  • Cabrera island reserve
  • Beach clean up
  • Traditional Mallorcan desserts at Can Joan de S'Aigo
  • Balearic Biodiversity Center
  • Final project presentations

*Based on prior year itinerary and subject to change.

Monday–Friday 

Each day offers a balance between interactive instruction and cultural activities with time on your own, too. Morning classes and afternoon activities may swap places. 

  • Breakfast at the homestay 
  • Hands-on classes with expert instructors, ecologists, and marine biologists  
  • Bagged lunch in the study center or in the field  
  • Outdoor activities, community service, or cultural activities 
  • Dinner at the homestay  

Weekends  

  • Overnight or day excursions to top destinations 
  • Quality time with friends and everyone at your homestay 

Check out the blog posts to discover more about daily life and excursions on program. 

Housing

Carefully-screened homestay

Activities

Top Rated Activities

spain_palma_cabrera.jpg

Visit to Cabrera National Park

The water glows a surreal, electric blue as you swim through Cabrera’s iconic Blue Cave, the last stop on a day filled with discovery and adventure. Laughter and splashes echo around you as you and your fellow Global Navigators snorkel in this stunning natural wonder, spotting schools of fish darting beneath the surface. It’s a moment of pure wonder, capping an experience you’ll all remember forever.

Earlier in the day, you arrive at Cabrera National Park, the largest maritime protected area in the Balearic Islands, ready to apply classroom learning to the real world. Working in small groups, you carry out a species inventory—a common scientific tool used to identify the presence of different species in an area. Exploring the coastline and pristine waters, you document your findings, contributing valuable data to ongoing conservation efforts and gaining firsthand insight into the interconnectedness of marine ecosystems.

Spending the day doing the work of real scientists in the field is as fascinating as it is fun, leaving you with a deeper appreciation for conservation and the importance of protecting biodiversity.

cathedral-of-palma-de-mallorca.jpg

Visit to Palma Cathedral and Can Joan de s'Aigo

You’re savoring creamy ice cream, laughing over inside jokes with your host siblings and fellow Global Navigators—friends who have become like family during this incredible journey. The cool sweetness of the dessert is matched by the warmth of the moment as you share stories, trade bites of flaky pastries, and marvel that this chocolaterie, Can Joan de s’Aigo, has been delighting locals since the 1700s.

This special day is all about connections—to the people you’ve met and the vibrant culture of Mallorca. Earlier, you explored the majestic Palma Cathedral, where Gothic spires and stunning stained glass create a kaleidoscope of light. Walking through centuries of Mediterranean history, you admired Antoni Gaudí’s architectural flourishes and contemporary art by Miquel Barceló. Each detail added depth to your understanding of this incredible place.

As the day winds down, you reflect on how much you’ve learned and gained this summer—about history, culture, and yourself—and how travel and cultural exchange are treasures that will shape your perspective forever.

Testimonials

What Students Are Saying

  • “My time in Mallorca was amazing because we did activities that I’ve never done before, like kayaking, hiking, snorkeling, and coasteering.”

    Albin K., Global Navigator Alum

  • “The friends I made on this trip are the best friends I could possibly have. I owe these friendships to this trip and I could not be more grateful.” 

    Imogen S., Global Navigator Alum

  • “It’s the perfect program balancing education and fun. I met my new best friends from all across the country. And it was my first time snorkeling.” 

    Jordan M., Global Navigator Alum

  • “I learned more about Marine Science but also learned about myself. I stepped out of my comfort zone so many times and it has really taught me what I can do!”  

    Kernen J., Global Navigator Alum

From CIEE

A Day of Marine Discovery at Portixol

By Claire Newman at CIEE

Today, our students embarked on an exciting educational adventure to Portixol, a picturesque port-side area of Palma de Mallorca. This vibrant locale set the perfect stage for a day dedicated... keep reading

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Here's something you might not know: STEM students are the least likely to get to study abroad during college. With tightly packed schedules and tons of required courses, STEM majors... keep reading

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When Can My Teen Book Their Flight for High School Summer Abroad?

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Your teen might be the first in the family to study abroad, to travel outside the U.S., and/or to take a solo flight. This is both exciting and nerve-wracking—so the... keep reading

Eligibility

Eligibility

  • Participants must be 14 years old and above.
  • Program open to all current high school students: Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors.  
  • For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page
  • This program involves engaging in moderate- to high-intensity physical activities, such as hiking, boating, and snorkeling. 
  • Ability to comfortably swim, as program is centered around the sea. 

For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

Application Fee

$25

Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.   

More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Costs

Program Summer Session I 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,150
Program Summer Session II 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date Costs $6,150

Ready to change your life?

What's Included

Interactive Classes

Housing

3 Meals/Day

(Dietary Needs Accommodated)

All Ground Transportation

(Once In-country)

Optional Flight Chaperone

(Flight Cost Not Included)

Pre-departure Advice and Orientation

Access to WIFI

(No international data plan or SIM card included)

All Cultural Activities and Excursions

Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection

24/7 Emergency On-site Support

Staff

Our Staff

Antonia Ferriol, PhD

Center Director

Antonia brings a great passion for teaching and a wealth of educational experience, having taught Spanish language, linguistics, literature, and culture at Pennsylvania State University, Middlebury College, Denison University, and...

Program Leaders guide and support our High School Summer Abroad participants through every step of their program.

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