High School Student Exchange Programs in Madrid

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.

Expanish responded to this reviewSeptember 09, 2026

¡Hola, Marie! Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us and for your 5-star rating! We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed your stay in Barcelona, liked our school, and, most importantly, made some great memories and new friends along the way. We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and feedback with us. Your comments help us continue improving and providing the best possible experience for our students. We’re glad to hear that, overall, you enjoyed the experience and felt that it was worthwhile. We hope to see you again at Expanish in the future! ¡Un abrazo!

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!

During grade 11, I decided to go to Asia for my spring semester with MEI and transitioned to Europe in the fall of grade 12. This ‘reverse’ big year approach set me apart from my peers, yet I found myself enjoying it just as much. I chose to apply for MEI because I was looking for deeper knowledge than what was available at my local public schools. I went into it pretty blindly, not knowing anyone, as most of the students do. My high school experience has been anything but ordinary, as I have attended four different high schools, including MEI Academy. It was during the two MEI programs, where I discovered an incomparable educational experience. The teacher’s high expectations fueled my growth as a student, thinker, and peer. Coming from an online school, I initially lacked certain public speaking skills and certain social abilities. However, the immersive and supportive environment at MEI sparked my personal transformation. I came out of my programs, not only as a more articulate individual but also as someone who can easily speak for myself and confidently form friendships with people who I might not have connected with otherwise. One aspect of the program that particularly resonates with me to this day was the structured routine of our days, which was nothing like my life at home. Waking up each day surrounded by individuals who were equally as eager to embrace the new experiences was a breath of fresh air. From daily morning workouts in constantly changing locations to reflective writing and collaborative projects, I truly would not have found this anywhere else. Unlike a conventional school setting where teacher interaction is limited to the class period, with MEI I had constant engagement with both educators and students, creating meaningful relationships that extended far beyond the classroom. Not only did my relationships extend beyond the classroom, but so did my education. MEI stands out as a transformative educational experience. Something I had never experienced in a traditional classroom, but had the opportunity to learn on my MEI program was the blend of courses with real-world application. The academic skills –from public speaking to essay writing– that were taught during my time with MEI, I continue to actively apply to all of my courses at home. These are valuable skills that will continue to allow me to prosper as I begin post-secondary education. For those who want to broaden their horizons and grow as an individual and as a student, MEI Academy is the perfect place to do that. I wholeheartedly recommend these programs for anyone who is considering it. I would not be the same without this experience.

I departed on MEI's big year in 2013/2014. Ten years later it is still a core memory and an essential aspect of my education. I continue to employ the values, experiences, and educational techniques gained during my experience in both day-to-day life, as well as professionally. I am forever grateful for my experience with MEI International Academy.

Our family sent two of our daughters with MEI Academy. One completed the International Business summer program and we were so impressed that our other daughter completed her entire Grade 12 year with MEI. The experience was outstanding! Their English and communication skills, understanding and interest of world issues, politics, human rights, history and geography all emerged from their lessons They were taught by extraordinary teachers with real passion for their subjects plus a nurturing personal style while the students were on the road. They were inspired and energized with daily exercise and learning in such unique and wonderful locations It was an exciting time for us as parents as well, as the school takes excellent care to publish photos and blogs along with carefully detailing the homework and projects the students were working on. We were able to follow along with every step of the journey. The girls have gone on to complete excellent University degrees and have found meaningful work in their lives I can't express how important this decision was for our family and how life-changing the programs were. I would highly recommend MEI Academy to anyone thinking about a travel abroad program for their students.

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!

IT WAS GREAT LOVED IT MET THE BEST PEOPLE AND MET MY NOW BESTFRIEND LOVE THEM LOVE BCNㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ

Expanish responded to this reviewAugust 24, 2025

¡Hola, Tomas! We are really happy to know that you not only enjoyed your classes but also met your best friend in your Young Adults program! :) Hope we get to welcome you again in the future! ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

C’était une très bonne expérience, mon niveau en espagnol s’est vraiment amélioré. Mon expérience avec la famille était vraiment géniale et les activités proposées par l’école étaient vraiment bien choisies que ce soit sur le plan culturel ou historique. Merci beaucoup pour ce séjour !

Expanish responded to this reviewAugust 16, 2025

¡Muchas gracias por tus comentarios, Clément! Nos alegra mucho saber que has disfrutado tu tiempo con nosotros! Esperamos poder volver a verte algún día. ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

I had an amazing time… I met a lot of new people and did a lot of new things. I also got the chance of talking with locals and improve my skills and also I enjoyed a lot all the activities that the school offered. Can’t wait to come back again

During my summer holidays, I flew to Barcelona solo for a week. I throughly enjoyed my time there. From the moment I arrived, the staff were welcoming, friendly and well-organised, which is a key element to cultural success! The itinerary was a perfect mix of educational activities, cultural immersion, and free time to explore. Due to the course being a new program, I'd recommend next year more activities for students, as because I was only there for a week I wasn't able to participate in as much. The professors were excellent, a shoutout to Rani, the best week in her classes! The group dynamic was great too. There was a mix of nationalities and backgrounds, which made for really interesting conversations and friendships. I made lots of new friends too which I was nervous about, so don't worry about that! . I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to combine language learning with cultural discovery. It was an incredible & unforgettable experience. I hope to visit Expanish again, whether it's in Barcelona or in one of their partner schools.

Expanish responded to this reviewJuly 28, 2025

¡Muchas gracias por tu comentario, Ruairidh! We loved having you as our student and look forward to welcoming you again in any of our schools! ¡Un fuerte abrazo!

Being home I now realize I have the most intense and meaningful connections that I've ever had in my life. The people (my host family, French friends and AFS friends) I met in France are people I will know for the rest of my life, and I never want to lose contact with. I also gained another home, a place I intend to visit again and a community around me that will always be a part of my life. Though I gained a language and knowledge of another culture, I now have a passion to travel and learn languages. I want to expand my world and myself, and meet as many people as I possibly can in one lifetime. All of this is what I have gained from this incredible experience with AFS.

I spent my junior year of high school in Barcelona on an AFS study abroad. It was the best choice I've ever made! The program placed me with an amazing family in an incredible town. I learned so much on my year abroad and met people who truly changed my life. I thoroughly recommend the program to anybody looking to go abroad.