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USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean Studies
The USAC program is based at the University of Alicante, which has a student population of 30,000 and offers two diverse academic areas: Intensive Language and Spanish and European Studies. Have the opportunity to study the Spanish language and the complexities of Spanish and contemporary European societies through a wide selection of academic courses, as well as through personal interaction with ...
The USAC program is based at the University of Alicante, which has a student population of 30,000 and offers two diverse academic areas: Intensive Language and Spanish and European Studies. Have the opportunity to study the Spanish language and the complexities of Spanish and contemporary European societies through a wide selection of academic courses, as well as through personal interaction with the host culture. You may stay for one semester or a full year. Our intensive approach allows you to complete up to two years of university foreign language coursework in only one semester, helping meet Spanish minor or major requirements. The summer Alicante Program offers two sessions, a five-week session and a four-week session with the option of a four-day visit to Madrid. This program is ide...
Program Highlights
Complete up to two years of university Spanish language coursework in only one semester; take courses directly from one of the most beautiful universities in Spain.
Immerse yourself in Spanish culture with volunteering opportunities, service learning, internships, the teaching assistant program, workshops, the conversation partner program, and USAC clubs.
Join field trips to the vibrant city of Barcelona, the stunning Moorish city of Granada, and the optional Madrid and/or Morocco tours/field studies.
Enjoy sunny weather, lovely beaches and mountains, and the Mediterranean's animated, lively atmosphere—with many opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, rowing, and sailing.
Bask in the beauty of Alicante—a seaside, year-round resort home to sandy white beaches, wide beautiful boulevards, fine cuisine, and many historical and cultural attractions.
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Quick Details
- Alicante, Spain
- Fall
- Spring
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- Winter
- Academic Year
- Anthropology
- Arts
- Biology
- Business
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- All Nationalities
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Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
My honest review & advice
by: Ava Snider - United StatesProgram: USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean StudiesStudying Spanish abroad in Alicante was an incredible experience. My host family was incredibly welcoming and the program staff were very helpful. The program incorporates some trips and activities including a historic trip around Alicante and a trip to Valencia. As for the classes, I felt like they actually helped me learn a lot of Spanish, even though I was only there for a month. You take the tram to class every day, which is easy once you do it the first couple of times. I was in 2 classes because I was trying to fulfill requirements for my Spanish minor at my home college, and my classes went from 9:30am-1:45pm. A lot of people were only in 1 class, though (that would be more conducive for exploring). I do want to note that some people in the area speak Valencian, and there are also some street signs, etc. in Valencian. I didn't do my research on that, so I was confused. However, if you know some Spanish, you can usually understand. As for Alicante itself, I enjoyed the beaches (specifically La Playa de San Juan), Castillo e Santa Barbara, Mercado Central (tons of fresh food), the shopping center (Zara, Mango, Bershka), Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya (lots of shopping from local vendors), and El Barrio Santa Cruz (aka Casco-Antiguo Santa-Cruz). If you go in the summer, you also get the chance to attend Festival de Hogueras, which is very cool. I was there for the tail-end of it and I highly recommend trying to go during that time. I can't comment on the nightlife in Alicante, because I didn't really participate. I traveled to Calpe with some friends to go to Los Baños de la Reina. This was the most beautiful part of my trip! You can get to Calpe and other nearby towns on the tram. I found the cuisine in the area to be okay -- my host family's meals were the best thing I had while in Alicante! There's not as much to do in Alicante as there may be in other cities. I was only there for a month and it was great, but I could see myself growing tired of the area after some time. Many people in my program, including myself, chose to travel during our study abroad program in Alicante. Flights from Alicante to several places in Europe are quite cheap. I traveled to Italy and Mallorca, España and my plane tickets for both were less than $100. Others in my group went to Ibiza, Paris, and London. A lot of people travel to Morocco because it's such a short trip from Alicante. There's also a train in central Alicante that goes at least as far as Valencia. But just a heads up, you only really have time to do a weekend trip due to classes (this is true for the 1 month summer program at least). I felt quite safe as a woman when I was in Alicante. I often walked around solo, even at night. I was catcalled on one occasion, but I truly never felt threatened in the city -- and that's coming from a very cautious person. I felt much more unsafe during my weekend trip to Italy. My favorite part of the entire experience was my host family. Several people in my program chose to live in apartments instead of with a family. Although it has it's pros (e.g., you're roommates with other students in the program), living with a host family taught me about the culture, improved my Spanish, and made me feel at home. My host mom packed me snacks for school every day and took me to family events. One con to it was that I felt a little bit isolated from the majority of students living in apartments. Also, my host family's home was not right in the center of the city, as other accommodations were. That meant I had to walk a little further, but it was only a 10-15 minute walk from the center. However, I would make the same decision if I did it all over again. I highly recommend USAC's Alicante program!! I have been dying to go back ever since I left!
GO. TO. ALICANTE.
by: Alexa Palmer - United StatesProgram: USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean StudiesI did the summer session 1 program in Alicante and it was an incredible experience that I can not recommend enough. Still a big city, but not NEARLY as touristy as Valencia, Barcelona, or Madrid. USAC was amazing in setting up group activities and helping the whole process run smoothly. I also needed to go to the emergency room at one point and the program director Luís came with me and helped with the insurance process and everything. The teachers were amazing and the friends I made during this program are so special. The housing was also much better than I expected and we even had 2 bathrooms for the four of us. Go to San Juan beach over Alicante beach, eat gelato every day, and have the best time ever!! You won’t regret it!
Loved Alicante
by: Cameron Hanchett - United StatesProgram: USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean StudiesOverall very wonderful experience. My host family, Mar, igor, were very kind and interesting. My professors were also quite good. Alicante is in a great location in Spain, with easy travel to various other towns, as well as being right on the Mediterranean.
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Alicante, Spain
Types and Subjects
- Subjects & Courses
- Anthropology
- Arts
- Biology
Availability
Years Offered: Year Round
Age Requirement
Age Requirement Varies
Guidelines
- All Nationalities
- This Program is also open to Solo, Group
Cost per week
Program Cost Includes
- Tuition & Fees
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- All Program Activity Costs
- Medical / Accident Insurance
Accommodation Options
- Apartment/Flat
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Application Procedures
- Transcript
- Online Application
- Essay
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Zack Patton
Participated in 2022
Zack is a marketing and Spanish major originally from Oregon. Zack is currently working as an intern in sales operations for General Motors. This inte...

Zack Patton
Participated in 2022
My dad read me his journal when he studied abroad in Sevilla back in 1989. While in Spain, he learned Spanish. Everytime he used it to help others was like wizardry to me.
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