Study Abroad in Malaga, Spain with WorldStrides

I had the wonderful opportunity to study abroad in Malaga for the month of June, and I would recommend it to anyone considering it. There are a multitude of reasons why studying abroad is beneficial, but it is important to figure out why it's best for you. For me, being abroad gave me the time to learn new skills of independence and learn more about myself. It taught me how to be self-sufficient and to really grow into who I am. Additionally, Malaga was the most amazing city. It was relatively close to many other popular travel destinations (Sevilla, Granada, Nerja) and very accessible to other destinations via public transportation (for example, I went to Madrid on the train). There were endless options of amazing things to do, whether that be shop, go to the beach (there are SEVERAL nearby), hike, go to museums, etc. I also really enjoyed improving and practicing my Spanish. I came in with an already high base level of knowledge, but I got to improve my skills significantly. The best part of the trip was the amazing excursions we got to go on. Our resident director was amazing and all of the excursions were planned out perfectly with adequate time for us to do some exploring on our own as well. 10/10 would recommend!

As a first-gen student studying abroad for the first time, I was incredibly nervous entering the program in Málaga, Spain. After I arrived in the airport, however, I was instantly greeted with such a warm welcome by incredible staff and amazing group of peers!! Our first week there, the program helped us get settled into our new housing, become acclimated with the community, and ensured we got to see such incredible sites such as the Alcazaba! Truly the program opened me up to have such amazing experiences that I've never would have had from meeting lifelong friends at the homestay to getting to experience the rich foods on the coast. Worldstrides does an amazing job of really providing a home away from home when you are getting out of your comfort zone and exploring a whole new world!

My summer abroad in Malaga, Spain was an absolute dream! The program provided the perfect balance of structured learning and free time to explore. Our classes were engaging and insightful, offering a deep dive into the Spanish language, culture, and history. The professors were passionate and supportive, creating a welcoming learning environment. The program also organized a variety of cultural activities and excursions, allowing us to experience the best of what Malaga and the surrounding cities have to offer. We visited stunning historical sites like the Alhambra in Granada. But perhaps the most valuable aspect of the program was the opportunity to immerse myself in the local culture. Malaga is a vibrant and welcoming city, and the program provides the perfect framework for personal and academic growth. I left with a newfound appreciation for Spanish culture, a deeper understanding of myself, and memories that will last a lifetime.

I could not be more thankful for my 4 weeks spent in Malaga Spain. Malaga is a very calm and beach city, my student residencia was located directly in the city center around many shops and restaurants. As a Black girl from Maryland I was weary of study abroad, as i’ve never been a minority in my community—Malaga was immensely welcoming and fun. I settled on Malaga because I wanted to be near the beach, and I am very happy I did. The center of the University where I took my classes was right on the beach, everyday I took the bus to class, went to the beach afterschool with my friends, then went a a restaurant for dinner and then the club at night. The ISA program took us to Sevilla, Cordoba, and Grenada. My friends and I also bought a $60 round trip ticket to Madrid for the weekend. Chose Malaga if you want to have a very relaxed yet impactful experience, you will be able to travel around Spain regardless but throughout all the cities I visited Malaga was like a story book town, the people were friendly, the weather was amazing, and the food was delicious. (Not the case for Madrid.) I took an international relations course during the Spanish elections and learned things that had never even crossed my mind. Malaga is also the home to Picasso and his museum which was a nice gem. Despite the fact I went on the journey alone, I left with life long friends because of the many adventures we went on during our time together. Overall I had an amazing experience, my professor was one of the best professors I’d had, she took us on a field trip around the Andalusia region. Malaga is a beautiful city, on the Mediterranean Sea, the food was excellent and I was able to experience it to the fullest without feeling overwhelmed and homesick…I highly recommend this place for anyone who many be a little overstimulated at times, this environment was very easy, incredibly fun, and welcoming.

Studying in Malaga was truly an unforgettable experience. In the 'Summer 1' program I met extraordinary people and visited the most beautiful places in Spain. Malaga is a beautiful city. The city center offers amazing food, shopping, social life, and more. Additionally, outside the city center, the rest of Malaga is beautiful. Near UMA, El Palo beach was the best. My professor was amazing! Overall, I think this program was 100% worth it in every aspect, and I HIGHLY recommend taking up this opportunity if it's possible.

Studying abroad in Málaga, Spain was an unforgettable experience filled with endless memories! I knew I always wanted to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity during my time in college but I found it difficult to find the right program for me. Once I was introduced to ISA and the programs they offered I was hooked! They offered an endless amount of support before, during, and after my time abroad. The program allowed me to immerse myself in the culture, people, and endless activities that the city, and country, had to offer. From walking the endless beaches, meeting students from various corners of Europe, and building lifelong memories and relationships with fellow students in my program, the experience was one to remember! Every day brought new discoveries and adventures, shaping an experience that I will cherish for a lifetime. Although I was only there for a month, Málaga truly opened my eyes to the opportunities that exist outside of the US and helped me in determining my future career path.

Making the decision to study abroad in Málaga this summer was more than a good decision, it was life-changing. Whether I was spending time with my host family, studying with classmates, or simply taking in the breathtaking beauty of southern Spain, this program has given me memories and taught me lessons that will last a lifetime. If you, like I once was, are feeling uncertain about whether to commit to such a program, consider this a sign! You will not regret it.

This was my second time studying abroad in Spain and I am so happy I went with ISA Malaga as my company of choice! I felt supported from the time I applied to the time I returned home. The classes, coursework, and activities really challenged me to improve my language skills.

I spent a little over a month in Málaga, Spain this past June and it was the best decision of my life! My ISA group had the very best guide named Iker who was a Málaga native & taught us Spanish while taking us on tours all over the city! He watched out for our safety by teaching us all about societal norms and how they differed from what we were used to. We went on phenomenal excursions including Sevilla, Córdoba, and the Alhambra in Granada! It was amazing to see different cities in Southern Spain and how they differed. I loved getting to live like a local and even participate in a local holiday celebration! I will never forget all of the wonderful people I met and everything Spain taught me.

ISA focused on the key aspects of life and allowed for a seamless transition to life in Spain! The ISA staff and program managers are eager to show you their city and give us the Malagueñan experience. They were available consistently and supported us through our education. We were able to have a truly Spanish experience and see the key parts of the culture in action. The ISA sponsored excursions allowed us to the country outside of our city and expanded my cultural horizons.

My semester abroad in Malaga, Spain, could not have been more perfect, and this was largely due to the awesome team at ISA. Throughout the application process and preparation, everyone who I communicated with was very helpful, from filling out paperwork to answering questions about classes. They were fantastic about helping others and I acclimate to Spain, and I cannot rave enough about the onsite staff enough. They were incredibly friendly and were willing to help with the varied problems students brought to them, which included questions about travel, homework, and host families. Even outside of the staff, the experience itself was unforgettable. I can truly say that Malaga is my favorite place in the world. I love the warm climate, the cobblestone streets, the exotic nightlife, and of course the food. Living on the Mediterranean was ideal, and I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of it. I was lucky enough to live with an exceptionally wonderful host family; I still talk to them pretty regularly. One of the great things about Malaga is its size and location. As one of the biggest cities in Andalucia, it is large enough to be interesting and have a lot to offer, but small enough to maintain a lot of authentic Spanish culture. Being immersed in the local culture really helped me to improve my language skills exponentially, but it never felt like work! In addition, I loved all of the classes that I took at the Universidad de Malaga. They were interesting and all the professors were helpful, and the classwork relevant. I cannot recommend this program highly enough. I would go back in a heartbeat if possible and would enthusiastically encourage any of my friends to study abroad in Malaga with ISA.

I had the time of my life while studying abroad in Malaga. I lived with a host family and they were some of the most incredible people I have ever met. They instantly made me feel comfortable and at home. They were more than willing to help me with my Spanish and were always filling me in about the cultural norms of Spain. The Universidad and professors were also fantastic and so willing to help. I didn't meet a single professor I didn't like. They were all great and taught me about so much more than just the Spanish language. I did the Spanish Intensive Language program and LOVED it! My Spanish improved significantly because of these courses. I absolutely loved the ISA staff in Malaga as well! They were always there to help and answer any questions I had about every aspect of studying abroad and traveling. My experience wouldn't have been the same without them! I am still in touch with them today because they had such a large impact on my life. The city of Malaga is wonderful. There is the beach, the city and the most incredible people I have ever met. I would tell everyone to consider Malaga because it was great and I have no complaints! I felt so at home in Malaga and can't wait to go back again soon!

Malaga is the perfect city to study abroad! The size is just about right; it's big enough for you to explore the different neighborhoods and keep discovering new things, yet it's not too big to be overwhelming. Malaga has an authentic Andalusian feel and the BEST weather. Although it has a well-connected airport and miles of Mediterranean beaches, it is not touristy so you will barely hear English - if at all! The school is 3-minute walk from El Palo beach. The campus is exclusively for international students, but you are likely to have classes with fellow ISA students. The workload is doable. I barely had homework and found that my language class was not that challenging. The other class that I had was interesting, but I did not expect to write a long paper at the end so it made the end of my program a bit stressful. The ISA staff in Malaga is so welcoming and helpful. They respect your decisions and understand that the students are adults, but they are always there if we would ever need help. If there are questions that they could not answer right away (very few existed), they will not stop until they find the answers! I owe much of my "independent" post-study abroad travel planning to the staff! As for the housing, I am glad I chose to do a home stay. My host mom picked me up from the Malaga Maria Zombrano train station and made me feel at home since day 1. She and my host dad are very understanding, especially when it comes to my countless changes of plans. They also listen to my food preferences and I am very satisfied with the meals. Another plus is that my laundry was done more frequently than it was expected! Compared to the other students, I lived the furthest from the city center, even though it was only three blocks from the main shopping street. Inevitably, I had to walk home alone after a night out, but I generally feel very safe. I've heard people say that the Spaniards stay late out at night, but I found that this was not always the case. Oftentimes, I would be the only one in the street at night. It is also said that cat-calling is an issue, especially in Andalusia, but I think it has been blown out of proportion. It does not happen as much as people seem to say. Yes, some men will utter "guapa" or "morena" as you walk by, but as long as you ignore them, they would not advance. If I could change one thing, it would be that I wish I had stay longer! I became very attached to the city and my group of new friends I wish I had more time with them. Another thing that would make the program perfect is the new location for the school. I wish the school was on the main University of Malaga campus. But it is right on the beach, so I can't complain! Overall, I would recommend ISA Malaga to a friend. Amazing city right on the beach, lovely weather, doable school work, vibrant nightlife, and great staff!

I can't rave enough about my experience in Malaga. The city itself is the perfect intersection between a relaxing coastal town and a rich cultural hub. It has all of the history, art, food, and shopping you can find in a bustling big city, but the people are warm and welcoming like you'd expect in a smaller town. The best part is you can easily walk to almost anywhere you want if you are located centrally, but if not, public transportation is super reliable and easy to use. Another perk of being in Malaga is how easy it is to travel around to close towns in that area of Spain, and there are some gems you'll want to skip over to on the weekend (Ronda, Marbella, anywhere along the Costa del Sol). My experience with ISA was equally as great. Before I left for my trip, I was incredibly nervous to live with a host family for a whole month, but it was probably the best decision I could have made. It allowed me to immerse myself in the culture and language way more than I would have if I lived on my own or with other English-speaking students. Soon after arriving in Malaga, we met our local ISA representatives who were very helpful and easy to talk to. At no point during my trip did I feel unsafe, and that was partly because the ISA reps were always so available and eager to assist us with any issues we had. Overall, an incredible experience; I highly recommend it!