What's NOT to love about high school in Spain?
With a laid-back lifestyle, a romantic and passionate culture, and food, flamenco, and fiestas, Spain is an ideal location for… just about anything! Travel. Leisure. Language immersion. Adventure. This country has it all, which means high school study abroad in Spain will be jam-packed with adventure and discovery!
We have no doubt that you’ll fall in love with the language, the warmth, and the endless tapas, paella, and sangria. Eat, sleep, drink, repeat!
Practica tu español and embrace the balance of siestas and fiestas—come on... parties and naps, what more could you ask for? Your heart will be awakened and your body won’t be able to help but flow to the rhythm.
Start your morning with sweet, sweet churros, enjoy an afternoon siesta, and prepare for late nights filled with love and connection.
Read on to learn the funnest activities to pursue while attending high school in Spain. ¡Arriba Arriba! ¡Andale Ándale!
Why choose high school study abroad in Spain?
High school programs in Spain are incredible opportunities for teens to experience life internationally while still at a very formative age. So whether you are dreaming of summer programs in Spain for high school students or Spanish foreign exchange programs, you will be met with open arms to expand your worldview, your language skills, and your independence and confidence in new, sultry cities throughout Spain.
You’ll gain so much from high school in Spain—nuevos amigos, nuevo amor, y nueva vida.
Related: How to Make High School Abroad Possible… And Easy!
7 best activities for high school in Spain
These high school programs in Spain will help you make the most of your experience abroad. Period!
This place isn't just something on a flat map. Make it come alive!
1. Spanish Language Immersion
What better place to improve your Spanish skills than Spain itself? You will breath, eat, and live Spanish during every moment of high school study abroad in Spain. Between options of living with host families, taking classes with Spanish peers, and going to cafes and restaurants in your downtime, your Spanish skills will improve without you noticing the effort you are putting in. That is the magic of immersion! You will be able to learn the mechanics in class, and then practice in various settings that will allow you to put your lessons into use! Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Embrace them and learn from them.
- Recommended program: SPI High School Spanish Language Immersion in San Sebastian
- Browse all High School Language Immersion Programs in Spain
2. Homestay Experiences
Being welcomed into and being part of a family in another part of the world is an indescribable experience. Not only will you build strong relationships with your new Spanish family, but you can learn from them about their culture and you can help them learn about your own. So embrace the differences and learn from them, even if that means giving rabbit meat a chance. Worried about missing out on high school activities at home? Don’t worry, you can still check out summer homestay programs for high school students! Students often refer to homestays as the highlight of their experience abroad, so even if you are nervous at the thought of living with another family in a different part of the world, your new Spanish family will help you feel right at home.
- Recommended program: Sol Abroad: High School Study Abroad Program in Spain
- Browse all Homestay Programs in Spain for Teens
Related: Stay Culturally Immersed During Your High School in Spain Program
3. Student Exchange
If you are looking for a true Spanish educational experience, a student exchange program during high school study abroad in Spain may be the perfect option. You will gain immense amounts of experience with your Spanish peers inside and outside of the classroom which will help to improve your Spanish speaking skills and give you a unique and intimate look into the life of a Spanish student. These friends you make will be friends for life, and don’t be surprised if you end up wanting to return for longer Spanish foreign exchange programs after high school. Maybe you’ll even want to get your degree abroad in Spain! Some of these Spanish foreign exchange programs may fully be conducted in Spanish if you are looking for a challenge, while others may have Spanish learning classes to help you improve your skills if you are still a beginner!
- Recommended program: Seville Abroad
- Browse all High School Student Exchange Programs in Spain
All of these high school programs in Spain offer ample opportunity for cultural immersion & deep learning
4. Community Service & Volunteering
Another great way to immerse yourself meaningfully into Spanish culture would be to participate in volunteer and community service high school programs in Spain. You will get to work on a project that you are passionate about and make a direct difference within the community of your choice. This will help you build deep roots in Spain and build a strong connection to the community you work within. If you are considering volunteer work in Spain, make sure to do your research, find a cause that you are passionate about, and put your whole heart into your volunteer work in Spain, because the more you put in, the more you’ll get out of high school programs in Spain!
- Recommended program: Experiment in International Living
- Browse all Teen Volunteer Programs in Spain
5. Work Experience
If you are looking for a way to gain professional experience and travel internationally (while still in high school, you go-getter!!), doing a work program during high school study abroad in Spain will be the perfect combination of both. Talk about a resume (and life!) booster! This is a great way to set yourself apart from your peers when it comes to college applications and also the job force when the time comes. Not only will you learn to live within a new culture, but you will also learn to work in a new culture too. The cultural competencies you gain and your increased ability to adapt to new circumstances will help you in high school, college, and life in general!
- Recommended program: Instituto Hemingway Culinary Arts Program
- Browse all High School Work Experience Programs in Spain
Capture it all. Every last wonderful, meaningful second!
6. Gap Year
The transition from high school to whatever comes next—college, work, etc.—can be intimidating, especially when you’re not sure what exactly you want to do. A great way to explore different options is taking a gap year! With various options for activities, you can pick and choose to build the ultimate year abroad. Gap years in Spain may bring you across major cities, or may open doors for a combination of the activities already talked about. You can improve your Spanish skills while also going on an adventure of a lifetime with gap year high school programs in Spain.
- Recommended program: API Study Abroad
- Browse all Gap Year Programs in Spain
7. Experiential Learning
If you learn best while getting your hands dirty (metaphorically and literally), experiential learning programs during high school study abroad in Spain are perfect for you! You can jump right into learning about different communities, the history behind the sites you will see, work on various projects based on your interests, and, of course, improve your Spanish speaking skills. These programs are ideal for students who love to learn by doing and who aren’t afraid to get involved. Through these high school in Spain programs for experiential learning, you will actively engage with the people around you and the places you visit.
- Recommended program: TFT for Older Teens: Spain, Portugal and Morocco
- Browse all Experiential Learning Programs in Spain for Teens
Get Matched with 5 High School Study Abroad Programs in Spain...for FREE!
You’re ready for high school study abroad in Spain!
High school study abroad in Spain = no regrets.
Whether you are looking for the rush of a big city like Madrid or Barcelona, or a more laid-back vibe like Seville or coastal Valencia, or even just summer programs in Spain for high school students, there are plenty of activities and experiences to choose from during high school study abroad in Spain. Put on your dancing shoes, and say “si” to high school study abroad in Spain! You may face a bit of a language barrier, and there will definitely be a learning curve to eating lunch around 2:00 p.m. and dinner after 9:00 p.m..
But no matter the challenge, you will learn to embrace the experience and which will help you go through incredible growth during your time away! Your family and friends may not recognize the person who returns from taking a chance on high school in Spain, but you will be walking taller and more confidently...with a bit of Spanish flare.
Browse ALL High School Programs in Spain on GoAbroad.com
Look for the Perfect High School Program Abroad Now
Start Your Search