Study Abroad in Spain

A land of contrasts, Spain’s glistening beaches and snow-capped mountains, graceful flamenco dances and bitter bullfights, Baroque structures and surreal buildings captivate all who enter its mystical realm. Why Study Abroad in Spain? Our programs for students who want to study abroad in Spain offer the opportunity to study Spanish as well as to take electives in a variety of disciplines at prestigious universities in Alicante, Barcelona, Granada, Madrid, Salamanca or Seville. Whether you have had no previous language experience or are an advanced Spanish speaker, we have courses for you to improve your Spanish language skills while in Spain. With programs that offer courses for beginners and integrated studies programs for more advanced students, as well as the option to take English instructed courses in some programs, the CEA program in Spain enables you to find the ideal experience. Study abroad in Spain and earn credit toward a degree while enjoying its culture, fantastic beaches, hot climate and cuisine for which Spain is most famous. Spain Fast Facts Country Name: Kingdom of Spain Area: 504,645 sq km Population: 44,108,530 Capital city: Madrid People: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types Language: 74% Castilian Spanish (official), 17% Catalan, 7% Galician, 2% Basque Religion: 94% Roman Catholic, 6% other Major Industries: textiles and apparel (including footwear), food and beverages, metals and metal manufactures, chemicals, shipbuilding, automobiles, machine tools, tourism If you've ever thought of studying abroad in Spain, you're not alone! Consistently ranked as one of the top ten worldwide study abroad locations, this southern European country has something to offer learners of nearly every discipline. Consider the capital city of Madrid, which is often referred to as the cultural center of Spain. The sheer number of museums, theatres and architecturally significant structures and monuments will tire even the most voracious learners. And then there's Barcelona-the fashion-forward Spanish city with an immensely diverse population. Students will appreciate not only the extensive opportunities for a first-rate education at schools like the University of Barcelona, but also the round-the-clock nightlife and international music scenes. Since Spain holds such a high appeal as a study abroad locale, there's dozens of colleges and universities offering international programs to foreign students. No matter your interest or degree area, there's a place for you to learn in Spain. Geography Perhaps Spain is a hot study abroad locale because of its close proximity to many other European countries. A short plane or train ride away and you can find yourself sipping espresso in one of France's famous street-side cafes, or sunning on the sophisticated shores of Estoril in Portugal. Spain is on the southernmost tip of Europe, bordered to the west by Portugal, and to the northeast by France. If you're interested in visiting another continent altogether while you're there, take a look at a map and you'll notice how close you are to Africa! You can even take a ferry to Morocco and spend some of your time off in one of Morocco's largest and most storied cities: Casablanca. If you're after beach time, Spain is definitely your ideal study abroad destination. With almost 90% of its borders surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Strait of Gibraltar, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Bay of Biscay, there's no shortage of gorgeous turquoise waters to dip your toes into! A Temperate Climate Due to its varied geographical regions, the weather in Spain-while typically mild-gets a tad chilly in some areas, and pretty hot in others! The northern coast is characterized by an Atlantic climate, with temperatures dipping to about 50 in the dead of winter and warming up to about 70 during the peak of summer. The interior central plateaus have colder winters-temperatures swing from between 5 and 75 degrees from winter to summer, with heavy snowfalls occurring. This is your area for skiing and boarding! The Mediterranean proper climate include the cities of Barcelona and Valencia, and temperatures here are pretty mild-ranging from about 52 to 74 degrees. A mild winter and a not-too-hot summer will definitely please students studying abroad here! The subtropical climate of the Canary Islands means these little hotspots are fantastic to visit year-round, with temperatures hovering between 60-80 degrees during most periods. Sports, Culture & More Such a mild climate means that many thrilling outdoor activities in Spain are accessible year-round: Windsurfers find the best conditions at the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Windsurfing World Championships are held each year in the early Fall. If you don't participate in the sport, a ticket to the festivities is worth purchasing. Soccer-the most popular sport in the world-draws hundreds of thousands of spectators each Sunday as international matches are played in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia. Perhaps you're a winter sport enthusiast. Spain prides itself on being the 2nd most mountainous country in Europe, and as such, they have some fantastic slopes in Andora, Sierra Nevada, La Molina, and several other areas. If you've had your fill of adventure sports, Spain's cultural highlights are astounding. Around every corner, you'll be delighted by art, literature, architecture and music with loads of Roman, Celtic and Iberian influences. Before you head over (or while you're there) be sure to read Don Quixote, the famous novel written by Spaniard Miguel de Cervantes. Spain's history of famous painters and sculptors is unlike any other European country. True greats such as Pablo Picasso, El Greco, Salvador Dali and Francisco Goya call this country home. Endless Educational Opportunities With such influential cultural and political histories, it's no wonder that Spain is often considered an ideal study abroad locale. The plethora of sites and activities, coupled with great weather, fabulous beaches and lively Spanish locals make this country a top destination for study abroad immersion. Below is list of just a few programs offered by colleges here: International Study Abroad (ISA) partners with the University of Salamanca to offer foreign students opportunities to study in any of over 50 degree areas. In existence since 1218, this university is widely considered the most prestigious school in Spain. With over 30,000 attendees-including over 7,000 foreign students-the University of Salamance offers all that you'll need for a fully integrated study abroad experience. The International Partnership for Service-Learning and Leadership (IPSL) provides foreign students with an in-depth immersion program at the University of Valladolid. Here, students will live with a host family; study Spanish language and culture, and spend 10-15 hours a week volunteering. These programs are a very small sampling of what's actually offered for foreign students studying in Spain. From languages to teaching, mathematics to history, the education in this country is top-notch.