How to Study Abroad in Spain in English

Spain is one of the world's top study abroad destinations and there's no question why: the land of sun and siestas boasts a laid-back pace and low cost of living in beautiful surroundings. A geographically diverse country, you can find mountains and forests or relax on one of the beaches along Spain's 3,000+ miles of coastline.

Don't speak Spanish? No pasa nada. Even if you haven't studied the language, there are programs in English available to you for everything from anthropology to chemistry. The best part is, studying abroad in Spain can be quite affordable and many scholarships exist to lessen the financial burden.

To help you navigate the process, here's a guide to help you study abroad in Spain, even if you don't speak Spanish.

While most study abroad programs in Spain focus on learning the language and exploring Spanish culture, options exist outside of the world of language acquisition. There are several routes to explore when deciding which study abroad program to select. Three of the most popular include university-led programs, direct enrollment, and study abroad provider programs.

Your college's study abroad office is home to a wealth of information. By speaking with an advisor or visiting the office's website, you can find out about all the available opportunities. Most universities run faculty-led study abroad programs and exchanges which allow students to experience life abroad while earning credits that transfer back seamlessly.

While many programs in Spain focus on Spanish language, there are usually opportunities to take culture classes and other electives in English.

If you're not happy with your school's study abroad program offerings, consider enrolling in one of the English-speaking universities in Spain. Several US universities have campuses based in Spain and students from other schools can apply there directly. Suffolk University, based in Boston, operates a Madrid campus that runs classes in English for a wide variety of subjects including art, social sciences, biological sciences, history, and math.

Arcadia University, another private university, runs a program in Granada. Students can take classes at the university's own building in the middle of the city center or have the option to study in English at the Universidad de Granada. Arcadia also offers programs during the fall and spring semesters or for a full academic year.

If you want housing, support, security, and a whole lot of extras, consider going overseas with a study abroad provider. There are several reputable, highly rated companies available to walk you through every step of the study abroad journey.

A few of our highly-ranked favorites that offer classes in English include:

• CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Alicante
• AIFS Abroad in Granada
• AIFS Abroad in Salamanca
• IEA Abroad in Barcelona
• CIEE College Study Abroad in Barcelona
• CIS Abroad Semester Programs in Barcelona

Program providers cover your basic needs as well as organizing trips and events around your study abroad city and the rest of Spain. Most providers offer scholarships and grants to help offset costs so make sure to do your research!

Do you want to live in a big city or a tiny pueblo? By the sea or in the mountains? Dying to spend your days in a bohemian, thriving arts scene or in a town full of five-star restaurants? Spain's geography is as varied as what its cities and towns have to offer so it won't be hard to find the perfect fit.

Some popular destinations include:

• Madrid: Enjoy one of the Spanish capital’s many free museums, lounge on the grass with friends in Retiro park, and have a bite and glass of wine at Mercado de San Miguel. Madrid is a popular destination for students, au pairs, and teachers alike so you will have no problem meeting fellow English speakers.
• Barcelona: Beautiful beaches and casual strolls down the Rambla await you in this cosmopolitan city popular among students.
• Bilbao: Located in the Basque Country, Bilbao is host to loads of unique cultural offerings and a thriving arts scene. Studying here will give you easy access to the lovely beaches of Santander and the winery-filled hills of La Rioja.
• Seville: Home of flamenco and the iconic Seville Fair, this popular city is in the heart of Andalusia in southern Spain.
• Alicante: If you love the ocean, beachy vibes abound in Alicante on the Costa Brava. Many private providers run study abroad programs in Alicant so it’s a great place to meet fellow students.

Once you've picked your program, you'll need a place to call home before classes start. If you go with a study abroad provider, housing is usually included and ranges from dormitories or apartments to a room in a Spanish family's home. If housing is not included, you’ll need to find something on your own. Each option has its pros and cons.

A dorm will surround you with other English speakers, probably many of whom will be from the US. This will make it easy to meet new friends and form support networks. However, hanging out with only English speakers can isolate you and keep you from immersing yourself fully in the culture. Never actually needing to speak Spanish will demotivate you from trying to learn. While feelings of familiarity and security are nice, you don't want to get stuck inside your comfort zone and miss out on all Spain has to offer.

Adventurous students desiring a more "authentic" experience can opt for a homestay with a Spanish family. You will be welcomed into their home, sharing meals and free time with them. While this option gives you a look into everyday life in Spain, the language barrier can make it difficult to communicate and, ultimately, connect with your host family. Smiles and gestures are universal but without even basic conversation, you'll miss out on learning about each other.

If you’re more independent, you can search for your own accommodation. In Europe, the Erasmus Programme is an EU exchange program that lets students at EU universities hop around during their studies. Not surprisingly, Spain is a favorite among European students as well. Because of this, student housing is cheap and plentiful. If you’re interested in securing a room in a shared house or a studio, websites like Piso Compartido and Idealista are great places to start your housing search.

After you arrive and get settled into your accommodation, you may wonder, “what’s next?” Making friends in a new country doesn’t have to be scary. Luckily, most cities in Spain are student-friendly with plenty of activities to get involved in.

Should you find yourself feeling lonely or needing advice on where to find English-speaking doctors or other services, expat/student Facebook groups exist to make the transition easier. Many of these host organized meet-ups and are generally a place where members can ask questions and share information.

In larger cities like Madrid, you can also find pub crawls specifically for students which can be a fun way to unwind after a long week of classes and meet some new international friends, all while experiencing the city's raucous nightlife.

If you'd like to work on your (possibly non-existent) Spanish skills, try joining an intercambio, or language exchange. Intercambios are held at bars or coffee shops and tend to follow an informal format of half English/half Spanish so everyone gets to practice (or in some cases, take a break from speaking your non-native language!).

Formal language classes can be quite affordable as well. Check out local Spanish language academies that cater to foreign students if your university doesn’t include lessons in your program.

If you can see yourself lounging on the beach reviewing class notes, or celebrating the end of exams with a glass of wine on a sunny terrace, then you should fit Spain into your academic plan!

Studying in Spain in English is the perfect transition overseas; you won't skip a beat with your classes, plus you'll have the added bonus of an exciting new country and culture to explore. Whether making the journey solo or with a group, there are countless options to suit your comfort level and give you the best possible experience.