Academic Year Study Abroad Programs in Spain

Wow...I cannot believe that just a few months ago, I was walking my route to la Universidad de Sevilla like it was just another day. I knew I wanted to go abroad from the day I started my college experience, but I was so nervous and homesick when I landed in Sevilla that I feared I had made a terrible mistake. I could not have been more wrong! Right from the start, the WorldStrides staff (especially Quique!) took us all under their wing and showed us the rich, welcoming culture of Sevilla. Our orientation was less about classes and more about immersing ourselves in the city, from touring the Catedral and Real Alcázar to trying our first tapas (espinacas con garbanzos, anyone?). My host mother was encouraging and helped me to practice my Spanish each day, and all of my professors were engaging and invested in student success. Most importantly, I met one of my best friends abroad in the WorldStrides program! We spent so much money at the Jester cafés there... By the end of my time abroad, I had connected with Sevilla in ways I could not have anticipated, and I grew in my confidence and open-mindedness. I spent my weekends navigating airports and metros in new cities I visited, tried plenty of foods I would not have spared a glance to back home (my host mom made great boquerones...), painted watercolor scenes around Sevilla in one of my classes, and learned to understand and walk alongside my neighbors across the world. I will never have an experience quite like this again - and what a bittersweet feeling that is. Thank you, WorldStrides, for gifting me with the opportunity of a lifetime! And to anyone reading this, if you are looking for a sign to pick Sevilla, this is it!!

Blau Housing made my Barcelona trip last August 2026 even more memorable. From the friendliest staff and convenient location to the rooftop pool, gym and Spanish classes, everything made me feel at home. I loved having my own little kitchen, enjoying breakfast and coffee at See You, and coming back to the coziest bed after exploring the city. Even having a boxing gym nearby was a bonus! I only wish I had stayed longer. Definitely an accommodation I'd love to return to again and again.

Studying in Salamanca, Spain, was one of the coolest things I have ever done. I fell in love with the food, the culture, and especially the coffee. Life felt so much slower while I was there. I was eating 4-5 times a day: breakfast, coffee break, big lunch, midday snack, and then dinner. I learned so much there, and the classes at the University of Salamanca were some of the best I've ever had in my life. If I had the chance, I'd go back, and I genuinely believe that if you have the chance, you should go.

I studied abroad last semester in January in Barcelona, Spain with WolrldStrides. Great cultural immersion opportunities and overall support. Everything went smoothly with coordination at the airport and all other supplemental excursions. Would recommend WorldStrides to anyone, regardless of the program.

When I first applied to Sevilla I was skeptical. Coming from a big school the normal was to study abroad in larger cities such as Barcelona, Florence, and London. What scared me the most was applying somewhere I would know practically no one, which turned out to be the best part. I quickly found my group within a few days thanks to Worldstrides cultural immersion experiences such as visiting the cathedral or going to a flamenco show. I became best friends with the girls in my program I was lucky enough to live with in the center of Sevilla, housing that you can only dream of. I spent my weekends feeling the true experience of being a sevillan, getting tapas with friends, volunteering to teach english at a local elementary school, and dressing up in our trajes for the feria de sevilla. to anyone hesitating picking a smaller city, i would absolutely recommend Sevilla 100 times over, the sense of community and support you get from not only the Worldstrides administration but the university is unmatched.

When people tell you that studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it can be hard to understand just how true that is until you experience it for yourself. Studying abroad genuinely changed who I am as a person, and looking back, I can say it was one of the best decisions I have ever made. My mom was born in Spain, and growing up, I always dreamed of experiencing even a small part of what her life was like there. Hearing all of her stories made me even more excited about the opportunity. Living in Spain allowed me to experience everything I had imagined and so much more. From the incredible food and rich culture to the late-night social life, historic sites, and overall lifestyle, I fell in love with everything about it. I was able to immerse myself in the culture both inside and outside the classroom, even taking a class entirely in Spanish. One of the most rewarding parts was the friendships I made, not only with local students in Seville, who I now have a reason to visit, but with people from Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and all across the United States. I came away with friendships that I know will last a lifetime. Seville's location also gave me the opportunity to travel and experience so much more of the world. I visited six countries during my time abroad, including Italy, England, and Morocco, just to name a few. Each destination offered a new culture, perspective, and experience that made my time abroad even more special. More than anything, studying abroad made me feel even more connected to a country that has always been such a meaningful part of my family's heritage. Being able to experience the culture my mom grew up in while creating my own memories and connections there is something I will forever be grateful for. If you are considering studying abroad, DO IT! It is completely normal to be nervous, but the people you meet, places you see, and person you become along the way make it all worth it. You truly will never get another opportunity quite like this one, and it is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Studying abroad in Madrid changed my life forever- while this statement seems to leave every study abroad student's mouth, it really is the truth. I explored many different countries during my stay in Spain which opened my eyes to what the world has to offer other than the United States, but surely the most impactful part of my abroad experience was making Madrid my temporary home. I never thought a city could feel like home when I don't speak the native language, but Madrid is a place that speaks to you without words. The city itself is a beautiful place- well kept, rich in its culture, sights, and amazing eats but the city itself is alive. It is the most full of life place I have traveled to- everywhere you go everyone is present with the people around them, playing games, talking, laughing, sharing meals, dancing, singing, all of the above. It's a place that I will hold in my heart forever, a place that I wouldn't have been able to experience without a program like WorldStrides that made everything seamless. They made it comfortable to move to a foreign country and made our program feel like a family. Thank you WorldStrides and thank you Madrid for changing my life!

I studied abroad in Barcelona in the Spring of 2026, and going into it, I was excited, nervous, and anxious, unsure what to expect. I didn't know how I would settle in, whether I would feel comfortable, or whether I would be homesick. All of these worries were completely answered, and the unsure semester turned into the greatest 4 months of my life. I attribute this experience to WorldStrides and am grateful to them for allowing me this opportunity. Barcelona is an amazing city with lots to explore, close to other countries to travel to, great culture and history, and I would not recommend a better place to study. I was housed in the Gothic Quarter, and I could not have picked a better place. I was close to the old Roman architecture, amazing restaurants, Las Ramblas, and just everything amazing about that side of the city. It was close to our university, and I cherished walking to school and back every day, or taking the metro. Either way, my commute was one of my favorite parts of my day. I loved the university; the classrooms were beautiful, the surrounding area was beautiful, and I would sit in the outdoor garden area and collect my thoughts or talk with friends almost every day before or after class. This opportunity obviously also gave me the ability to travel and see the world with people I love; I studied abroad with some friends from home, and we got to see the world together. I gained moments and experiences with them that I will have with them and cherish forever. Going to Dracula's cave with my boys in Budapest, seeing the Eiffel Tower light up with my friends during fashion week, or paragliding over Interlaken with all of my friends; I would not have been able to experience these things without WorldStrides, and this review, bringing up great memories, is making me emotional. As much as I was able to travel and such, it also opened up experiences for others. My family came and visited me, and before Spain, they had not been farther than Mexico or Canada. My parents are both over 55, and they haven't had the chance to see Europe until they met me during my semester abroad. I feel super passionate and happy about the fact that I was a big reason for my parents getting to see the world, getting to show them around my new home and all of the little places that I had become a regular at. Meeting my new friends, roommates, and walking around the city was such a great experience to have with my family, and it will be an all-time experience for the rest of my life. My dad jumped into the Mediterranean because he is a huge water guy, and he kept mentioning how he would regret saying that he didn't swim in the Mediterranean. He's 61, and if he didn't come and visit me, he probably would have never had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood wish and come and see the world. Barcelona, Spain, was a great hub and a great home base. I wouldn't have changed anything about my experience, and I have no regrets coming back home to the States. The culture, values, behavior, and all the things Spain has to offer changed my own mindset and my own values, and I came home to the States with a different outlook on life. I thank WorldStrides for giving me this opportunity, and I would recommend using them for any study abroad trips!

Studying abroad in Barcelona was an unforgettable experience. I made some of my closest friends, tried new things, and stepped outside my comfort zone. Beyond exploring a new city and practicing Spanish, I had time to slow down and think about who I am and what matters to me. I returned with wonderful memories, meaningful friendships, and a better understanding of myself.

From the moment I got off the plane in Valencia I knew I was going to have a great experience. I greatly enjoyed daily life in Valencia, and was able to experienced public transportation daily. Taking Spanish courses definitely assisted in my cultural experience, especially because the teachers were amazing. I had an amazing host family and would definitely do it again. The staff are wonderful and teach you a lot about Spain!

Learning Spanish was part of building a life in Barcelona. Finding people I would want to keep in that life became the most meaningful part of my experience at Blau. I moved into a private studio there in July 2026. Spanish had always been a challenge for me, so having the opportunity to take classes mattered. It was a chance to work on a difficulty I had carried for a long time, to keep learning rather than let that difficulty decide how far I could go with the language. But when I think about what Blau has meant to me, I think about people before I think about lessons. As a new immigrant, meeting people and building connections can be difficult. Moving gives you a new place to live, but it doesn't automatically give you people to share that life with. That part has to be built. At Blau, I had the opportunity to meet people from many different places. What made that experience valuable wasn't simply the variety of backgrounds. It was the connections themselves: people who became meaningful to me, and bonds I know I'll carry for life. The Spanish classes gave me an opportunity to grow in a language that had always challenged me. The people gave me something equally important: connections that reach beyond the place where we met. Years from now, when I look back on this chapter in Barcelona, I know those people will be part of the story. For me, that is what makes Blau worth remembering.

Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most memorable experiences of my college career. I was able to immerse myself in Spanish culture both inside and outside the classroom, from ordering food and drinks and communicating with my host family to exploring the city's streets, landmarks, and history. Living in Seville gave me a much deeper appreciation for the language and culture. Academically, studying in Seville gave me the opportunity to experience a different academic environment. I am a Spanish minor, so being immersed in the language greatly improved my proficiency and confidence. Practicing Spanish in real-life situations helped me become more comfortable with speaking and listening, especially with my host family, who only spoke Spanish. Adjusting to unfamiliar teaching styles and classroom expectations was an obstacle. At times, I found learning Spanish from a native speaker slightly difficult, but I am so glad I got to practice because it was ultimately very beneficial. I would recommend that students thinking about studying in another country communicate every question and concern with professors. It can be difficult to have a slight language barrier, even in an English class. Going abroad is still a college semester, even if it seems like you are exploring more than studying. Outside of academics, traveling was my favorite part of this experience. Seville as a home base made it so easy and exciting to plan trips to experience other places. I became so much more independent when needing to navigate train stations, airports, and the bus/metro systems. I would recommend budgeting and researching all your options when traveling to make it as cost-effective as possible. While waking up in a new country every day was exciting, there are also challenges that future students should know about. My biggest challenge when I landed in Seville was being away from family and friends, and the fact that I was the only student in my accommodation. I was lucky enough to have a small group to do everything with, but it was a little daunting to be separated from them. I think choosing to live in a host family was the best choice I could have made. It feels like I now have personal connections to Seville, and it made my trip so much more meaningful. In terms of packing, I would strongly recommend bringing comfortable walking shoes because you will likely walk much more than you do at home. My other recommendation would be to bring a portable charger too. The number of times my phone almost died while I was away from home was almost comical, and if I didn’t have a portable charger on me, I would have had trouble getting back. My biggest piece of advice is to take advantage of the experience. It is truly what you make of it. Fill your days with exploring, practicing the language, and learning new things about the city you choose to study in! I would encourage future students to try unfamiliar foods and participate in the cultural customs and activities. Step outside of your comfort zone and appreciate even the small everyday moments! Overall, I could not recommend studying abroad in Seville more. The experience helped me grow in so many ways while giving me a greater appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. I now have stories that I still share with my friends from home, and I have lifelong friendships with the people I spent my time with. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this program to take this opportunity and embrace it to the fullest.

バルセロナでスペイン語を勉強してみたくて、今回初めて短期留学しました！最初はちょっと緊張してたけど、先生たちがすごく優しくて、授業もアットホームな雰囲気だったので楽しく通えました☺️ いろんな国から来ている人たちと交流できたのもよかったです！英語もスペイン語も完璧じゃないけど、みんなフレンドリーで自然と話す機会が増えました。 あと、個人的に一番よかったのは宿泊施設！お部屋も綺麗だし、キッチンも付いていて、屋上にはプールまであります。学校と同じ建物なので移動も楽だし、授業が終わったら街を散策したりカフェに行ったり、毎日充実してました♡ 普通の語学留学とはちょっと違って、バルセロナで実際に暮らしているような感覚を楽しめたのがよかったです。また行きたいなと思える場所でした！

I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted to step outside my comfort zone and experience a new culture through a program that offered support before, during, and after going abroad. I participated in the Barcelona Maymester program in summer 2026, and it was an experience I will always be grateful for. The pre-departure process was stress-free, which made preparing to study abroad feel much less overwhelming. Once in Barcelona, I loved exploring the city, trying new foods, going on excursions, and experiencing everyday life in a new culture. One of the most meaningful parts of my experience was learning to navigate a new city independently, as well as making lasting friendships with the people around me. I got to live in an apartment in the coolest part of the city all while living with my best friends. I was so grateful to be able to go to classes and become so independent in an unfamiliar city. I would recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking to experience a new culture, make lasting memories, meet new people, and grow both personally and professionally.

I had an amazing experience studying abroad in Barcelona! I made tons of new friends and got to do all sorts of amazing activities like visit the Sagrada Familia, watch a game in Camp Nou, eat tapas and so much more! I highly recommend doing this program because you get so much out of it.

Studying abroad in Madrid was a fever dream. I couldn't be more satisfied with my experience. I lived with a host family, and they were the sweetest people ever. They cooked delicious meals for me and made me feel like part of their family. At the IES center, the faculty and staff were so accommodating and willing to help and support me as much as possible. When I was hospitalized, someone from IES came to visit me at the hospital, and my host family stayed with me. This shows how much they truly care about their students and how committed they are to supporting them. They also have an emergency line, which made me feel even safer. Overall, I felt safe, welcomed, and supported, and I was able to fully immerse myself academically and culturally.

My semester abroad in Madrid with AIFS was genuinely one of the most memorable experiences of my life, and I would recommend the program to anyone considering studying abroad! From the beginning, the experience was well organized, and I felt supported throughout my time in Spain. Looking back, I am so grateful I chose AIFS because my semester became so much more than just an opportunity to study in another country. AIFS also offered a great variety of activities that allowed us to experience Spanish culture firsthand. These included tapas dinners, cooking sessions, and trips to beautiful cities like Granada, Toledo, and Segovia. These experiences gave us the opportunity to explore beyond Madrid while creating lasting memories with other students. I would recommend AIFS in a heartbeat! If you are nervous about taking the leap, I encourage you to go for it. My semester in Madrid gave me lifelong friendships, unforgettable memories, and personal growth that I will carry with me long after returning home. I would do it all over again without hesitation!

Studying abroad in barcelona through API was the best experience of my life! I had the freedom to explore a new place and immerse myself in a new culture while also having the security of knowing I had API there to help me if I needed it! The housing was amazing and way nicer than I expected it to be. The program cost itself turned out to be incredibly worth it as it it included housing, multiple cultural excursions, and metro cards for transportation.

My study abroad experience in Seville, Spain was truly unforgettable. I had the opportunity to explore a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and experience everyday life in another country. I loved being able to travel around Spain and visit places like Barcelona and Madrid, while also making memories in Seville. Studying abroad helped me become more independent, confident, and open to trying new things. I would definitely recommend studying abroad to other students because it is an experience you will remember for the rest of your life!

Studying abroad in Madrid through WorldStrides was truly the best experience of my life! I learned so much about myself and about the world around me. WorldStrides staff were there with me every step of my process and were so welcoming and inviting. I lived with a host family and they were absolutely wonderful. Nebrija was a great university with the best professors. I'm so grateful for this experience and for WorldStrides help along the way!