9 Things to Know Before High School Study Abroad in Spain

Too impatient to wait for college to study abroad? That’s what we like to hear! Here’s what you need to know about high school study abroad in Spain. ☆ Whether you’re interested in exploring the Mediterranean beaches, flamenco-ing your way through Madrid’s nightlife, or getting a leg up on your language immersion, participating in high school study abroad in Spain will no doubt be the adventure of a lifetime.

Do these streets not just SCREAM “adventure”?

Another bonus—even though Western Europe isn’t typically thought of as affordable, Spain is generally more wallet-friendly than neighboring countries—making it a perfect destination for students! Whether you’re looking for a summer program near la playa or prefer to spend an entire academic year in Barcelona, there’s a huge variety of programs offering high school study abroad in Spain.

But before you start sending in those applications, check out these 9 things to know before you commit to the perfect high school in Spain program!

What to know before high school in Spain 

1. You’ll be spoiled for choice of programming options.  

High school study abroad programs have come a long way. Nowadays, study abroad programs for teens are as varied and sophisticated as their college-level counterparts. Does studying language for a few weeks sound like an ideal summer or would you prefer to immerse yourself in a full academic year in Spain?

Many providers cater their programs to students’ specific interests, such as Kaptiva Sports Academy, which provides a unique opportunity for high school football players to study abroad in Barcelona, Spain. More into fine arts than football? Check out the highly rated combined art and language program with The Experiment in International Living. 

If you aren’t quite sure where or what you want to study, Academic Programs International (API) is a good provider for starting your research. API has a huge variety of programming offered, including study, adventure, volunteer, and immersion programs. Plus, all of their gap year (and some of their summer) programs are offered for college credit, in case you want a jump on your college career!

2. Your classes might not be in Spanish.  

The local language will be just one component of your unique journey.

Sure, Spanish is the official language of Spain, but depending on the region you call your Spain high school study abroad home, your classes might be taught in one of Spain’s many co-languages.

Spain is made up of 17 autonomous communities which allows each of Spain’s regions to elect a co-language. For example, in Valencia, locals may speak Valencian, which is more closely related to Italian than Spanish. In Basque Country, you’ll hear Euskera, which is unrelated to any other modern languages in Europe.

While choosing your Spain high school study abroad program, make sure to research which region it’s located in and if classes are taught in Spanish or an official co-language. If you definitely want to study Spanish, consider the SPI High School Spanish Language Immersion program in San Sebastian.

3. You’ll call your teacher by their first name.

If you’ve taken any amount of high school Spanish classes in the U.S., you might be surprised to find your classmates using their teacher’s first name, instead of using the “¡Esculpe me profesora!” script you have practiced. This isn’t a sign of disrespect, it’s just their custom—so follow their lead and ditch the formal moniker.

4. You might earn university credit.

If your parents need a little more convincing that spending part of your high school education abroad in Spain is una buena idea, this tip should help. Many programs offer university credit as part of the educational offering. That means in addition to spending the summer in Spain, you’ll be getting ahead for the upcoming college year.

And what parent could say no to that extremely responsible educational strategy? Take a look at programs by Sol Abroad, where students will take coursework at the University of Granada designed to transfer to their college back home with ease.

5. You’ll never be able to look at a U.S. high school cafeteria the same way. 

Croquetas, paella, gazpacho...just pack the stretchy pants, okay?

Sloppy joes? Mystery meat? Not at your Spanish high school. Spaniards take their meals seriously, and that includes a school lunch. Your lunchtime experience in Spain may be served family-style and even come in multiple courses. The meals will be freshly prepared by the staff who take pride in serving even an army of high school students.

You might enjoy a bowl of steaming paella one day followed by an expertly prepared tortilla española the next. All meals will be offered with servings of fresh fruit instead of the chocolate pudding you might be used to at home. (Note: If the idea of being around delicious Spanish cuisine all day inspires you, consider a study abroad program in Spain dedicated to the culinary arts!)

6. You’ll stay put, and the teachers swap classrooms when the bell rings.

In Spain it’s the teachers who must memorize their schedules and switch classrooms each period. Students actually remain in the same classroom for the entirety of the day, with limited exceptions (i.e. band, gym). This means you won’t have the five minute passing period between classes to grab a snack from your locker. You won’t even have a locker! But the good news is that you don’t have to lug lug your books around all day. This also gives you plenty of time to get to know the other students in your cohort since you’ll be spending the entire school year together.

7. How you’ll spend your weekends will be different.

In Spain, family is sacred, and weekends are for spending time together. It’s not uncommon for adult children to go home for lunch with the family on the weekends. And weekend lunch is a several hour affair, with lots of food, chatting, and laughing. The menu will include multiple courses including lots of bread, soup, roast chicken or lamb, fried potatoes, several vegetables or salads, and a dessert. If you’re staying with a host family for the duration of your high school study abroad in Spain, you’ll get to join—and taste—the fun!

8. You’ll be operating on an entirely new time timetable. 

Sure, there’s a learning curve to Spain high school study abroad, but we’re pretty sure you’ll get the hang of it.

Businesses in Spain keep very different hours than you might be used to in the USA and parts of Europe. Shop hours during the week might be from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m, with a close between 2:00 and 5:00 p.m. not uncommon. Weekend hours are highly variable. Shops may be open on Saturdays, but many other services will be closed.

Eating out at restaurants might need a little getting used to since you should expect to eat several hours later than you did at home. Dinner usually isn’t served until about 9:00 p.m., and restaurants will rarely seat you before 8:30 p.m. And since you aren’t eating until 9:00 p.m., don’t be surprised if the family doesn’t get to bed until midnight—or even later.  

9. But, you probably won’t have a siesta. 

Despite siestas being a traditional part of Spanish culture, it’s a misconception that naps are always taken after lunch. Due to the shift towards modern work and school hours, it’s unlikely that your school day during Spain high school study abroad will incorporate the traditional siesta in favor of ending the day earlier. In fact, due to the prevalence of air conditioning and most people not working close to their homes anymore, siestas are becoming less common overall. Bummer!

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Next steps to high school in Spain

Don't pack your GoPro juuuust yet. There are a few items on your teen travel abroad to do list you should check off first.

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where to study abroad in Spain as a teen isn’t easy. Gorgeous Madrid? Somewhere with a beach? Don't let ANYTHING hold you back—choose a place that's right for you.
• Language classes or something more fun and experiential? You don't only have to take classes that pertain to your studies back home (though it never hurts to get more credits towards graduation). Decide if you want to use this time abroad to learn hard skills like Spanish or to develop soft-er skills, like teamwork and communication, through something like a service project.
• Choose from the best high school study abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and your ease of getting credits. Some schools or providers may even provide contact info for student ambassadors or past international students if you want the REAL dirt. Here’s our guide to choosing between teen travel abroad programs. 
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Do your research to have an idea of how much your study abroad program will cost. Be sure to check out high school travel scholarships too!
• Talk to your guidance counselor. Getting all your ducks in a row is largely dependent on what your school requires, if anything. Talk to a study abroad advisor or the equivalent at your school to see if there are more choices available to you.

Now’s your chance to do high school study abroad in Spain! 

High school study abroad in Spain will pave the way for so many future adventures.

Boasting a sunny climate, a variety of academic programs, and opportunities for making life-changing memories, Spain is the ideal place to start your international educational journey. If you are driven by becoming fluent in a second language or are attracted to the laid back European lifestyle, there’s definitely the perfect high school study abroad program in Spain for you.

With these 9 things you need to know before high school study abroad in Spain already under your belt, you’re practically an expert as you get ready to embark on this next adventure! If you’re feeling nervous about going abroad for the first time, rest assured that for everything else, you’ll have the support of an experienced program advisor guiding you every step of the way. 

The decision to live abroad before you’ve even graduated high school shows remarkable maturity, responsibility and an adventurous spirit. Choosing to do high school study abroad in Spain is a huge step in becoming a more confident student and traveler—one with strong language skills, impressive experiences for your resume, and not to mention a lifetime of memories. You got this!

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