Summer High School Homestays Programs in Spain

My great time spent in Barcelona started from being picked from an airport and transported to accommodation, to accommodation i have only one con and thatt was a little complicated communication with staff, the school looked really good from outside and inside so it was nice being there, with the school i had a little problem and it was that i had a feeling i learnt almost nothing and from the trip i think i have improved more in emglish than spanish, but maybe that might be my fault too. After all i really enjoyed and made some friends and it was totally worth it.

I had a very excellent time on my Arcos Journeys Abroad program, in Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and on the Camino de Santiago. The host families were incredible, as were all the chaperones and teachers. The activities were always very fun, and there was a nice balance of structured time and free time. The Camino was also amazing, and I was unexpectedly delighted by that aspect of the trip. Thank you!!

I spent two weeks of July in Barcelona with Expanish School and it was one of the best experiences of my life. In two weeks I learned a lot thanks to the teachers and the trips we did during the week and in the weekends. I got to know some amazing people that became my friends and with them I shared this magnificent experience. My host family was so lovely, they immediately made me feel comfortable and at home. Now that my experience has finished I find myself thinking about the days spent in Barcelona with Expanish. I already recommended the school to my friends because I think it is really really valid.

Expanish responded to this reviewAugust 23, 2026

¡Hola, Sofia! What a beautiful review to read — thank you! :) We're so happy your two weeks in Barcelona turned into one of the best experiences of your life! It's wonderful that you learned so much thanks to our teachers and all the trips along the way, and even better that you made friends who shared it all with you. Hearing that your host family made you feel so at home too just makes this even more special. Thank you for already recommending us to your friends — that truly means so much to us. We hope to welcome you back to Expanish soon! ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

My host family was amazing, the teacher was very nice and helpful and I could learn a lot. The activities were fun and were helping me learn more about the place and the culture. Unfortunately not many people my age were attending them but they were still very fun

Expanish responded to this reviewAugust 23, 2026

¡Hola, Teodor! Thank you for sharing this with us! :) We're so glad the program let you dive into the city, culture, and language all at once — and it's wonderful to hear your host family and teacher made such a positive impact on your experience. We're happy the activities added to that too, and we hear you on wanting more people your age around — we'll keep working on bringing in a wider crowd! Thanks again for choosing Expanish — hope to see you again soon! ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

My CIEE high school summer abroad changed my life. At 16 years old, I traveled to Sevilla, Spain with CIEE. I realized there that I wanted to pursue a career as a Spanish teacher, and now I am working at a public school in New York doing just that!! Since my amazing experience with CIEE as a student, I’ve also returned to the non-profit to work as a Program Leader supporting other students as they embark on this engaging, unique, and life changing experience. I can’t recommend CIEE enough!!

I did LITA's Northern Spain program in the summer of 2022 at 15 years old, and it remains the single best experience of my life. What sets LITA apart from every other program is how deeply personal it is. From day one, our leaders and Jordan knew exactly who I was, my interests, my personality, my goals. The level of individualized attention in a group of students is something you simply don't find somewhere else. My host family experience was incredible and genuinely changed how I see the world. We traveled across all of Northern Spain — Galicia, Valladolid, the Pyrenees, and Barcelona each stop carefully chosen to deepen our understanding of Spanish culture rather than just check tourist boxes. The whole program operates with a family mindset; you don't just visit Spain, you become part of it. If you're a high schooler serious about Spanish and craving an authentic, life-changing adventure, LITA is unlike anything else out there.

LITA was one of the most transformative experiences of my life. What made the program so special to me was that it wasn’t just about learning Spanish in a classroom—it was about truly living the language and culture every single day. From staying with host families to exploring small, rural towns I felt completely immersed in authentic Spanish life. At first, the “Spanish only” environment felt intimidating, but it ended up being the reason I grew so much. I became more confident speaking Spanish than I thought possible, not because I was memorizing vocabulary, but because I was constantly connecting with real people and navigating everyday life in another language. By the end of the program, Spanish started to feel natural to me. What I loved most about LITA was the sense of community. The group leaders care about every student and create such a supportive, welcoming environment. I made incredible friendships with people from all over the country, and the shared experience of stepping outside our comfort zones brought everyone really close together. I also became so close with my host family, who made me feel at home from the very beginning. I can not recommend this program enough to anyone who is hoping to expand their Spanish language skills.

The beginning of the program, meeting new people, adjusting to new places, and stepping into a completely different environment, along with spending time with friends outside school made the whole experience even more memorable.

I feel like my Spanish and my confidence have improved a lot. I’ve made friends, spend time hanging out with them, and feel much more comfortable speaking. One moment that really showed my progress was during my school exams. I take Lengua, and I’m the only American in my class. On my first exam, I got a 4.45, which was above the class average but still a failing grade. After studying a lot on my own and with friends, I took the next exam and improved to a 7.45. My teacher even told me how much I had improved, which felt really rewarding.

Traveling with my peers in CIEE and sharing everyday moments with my family made this journey unforgettable. From exploring new places together to simple daily routines at home, every moment helped me grow and see the world differently.

Last summer, I spent three weeks in Spain, and it honestly changed the way I see things. Being in a totally new place pushed me out of my comfort zone in a good way. I had to figure things out on my own, try new foods, get used to the language, and adjust to a completely different lifestyle. What I loved most was how social and laid-back everything felt. The people there really take time to enjoy life, food, and each other. I met so many kind people and learned a lot just by being present and open. That experience helped me grow more confident, independent, and open-minded. It wasn’t just a trip for me. It was a moment that helped shape who I am now. Hopefully I can go back!

My high school child went on the program in Granada, Spain with Arcos. The highlights were gaining a greater knowledge of the Spanish language and culture, getting to meet new people, and spending time with the homestay. It's worth participating. They will have fun!

The Arcos Journeys Abroad program offered my daughter an amazing and safe opportunity to immerse herself in the culture of Granada, Spain. As a parent, I felt completely secure with her traveling abroad. I highly recommend this experience for your high schooler!

This was my daughter’s first time away from all of her friends and she definitely struggled with being homesick. Her host family and the Seville Abroad team coaxed her out of her shell and encouraged her to try new things and she came away from the experience with confidence in her ability to speak Spanish and to try new things. She talks frequently about wanting to go back to Spain and plans to return to Seville this spring to visit a friend she made there. She came back feeling more prepared to take on any new adventure. I was constantly amazed at the many places they traveled and how expertly planned the whole experience was. Pepa treats these students like they are her own family and the staff at Seville Abroad were all so kind and helpful to my daughter. They communicated daily with parents. I can not recommend this program highly enough.

The Arcos communication and updates were excellent. The greatest benefits for my son were the cultural immersion and increased confidence in speaking Spanish. The pre-departure documents were excellent. I suggest setting up an international phone plan ahead of time.

My experience with the CIEE Spanish Language and Culture Program in Palma de Mallorca was overwhelmingly positive and truly transformative. Living with a welcoming host family allowed me to experience authentic Spanish culture, try new foods, and practice my language skills daily. Taking university-level Spanish classes deepened my understanding of the language while immersing me in an academic environment abroad. Beyond the classroom, cultural activities and excursions helped me connect with the island’s history and people, creating lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories. This program not only strengthened my Spanish but also gave me a new sense of independence and appreciation for global perspectives.

The highlights were probably the sense of independence and adventure. The Spanish language learning component was very positive. The trip leaders were excellent communicators and everything was highly organized. My recommendation is to do it! This is a good option for Spanish immersion in Spain.

Arcos did a great job with explaining everything as well as providing a packing list and confirmation of safe arrival in Spain. It’s a great program for teens to have a true immersion experience. Through this program, my son acquired a desire to travel abroad more, an appreciation for different cultures and customs, and enjoyed the opportunity of living in a new city.

My son loved his experience and his host mom, Ana! We feel really fortunate that he was able to have this experience with Arcos. We have many positive things to say about the program: Spanish immersion, life experience, confidence, and the relationship with the host mom. Take advantage of this opportunity if you can! We felt really confident about my son's safety and the organization of the trip.

Personally I found that the program was an amazing way to improve my Spanish skills while also enjoying my summer break. My language class teacher and all other staff were really friendly and always willing to help me out when I needed anything. Even though, I came to Expanish without knowing anyone it was really easy to connect with my classmates and make friends. Many of them lived in the same student residence as I did which was very convenient since we could take the train together to go to class or meet up in the lobby to do some sightseeing. Overall, I can really recommend this program!

Expanish responded to this reviewAugust 24, 2025

¡Hola, Josefine! Thank you for your comments! We are really happy to know you've enjoyed your time with us and made friends during your Young Adults program! Hope we get to see you again someday! ¡Un abrazo!