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Study Abroad Programs in Alicante, Spain

Don’t say, “Aww, I can’t” to studying abroad; say “Alicante” to studying abroad! This historic Mediterranean port on Costa Blanca in southeastern Spain boasts its long waterfront and the Castle of Santa Bárbara, perched on Mount Benacantil and overlooking the city. Alicante attracts visitors from around the world — with good reason — from its relaxing lifestyle and white-sand beaches to its tapa bars and café culture. Not to mention the educational opportunities when it comes to learning one of the most spoken languages in the world: Spanish. Study abroad in Alicante and live la buena vida!

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17 Alicante, Spain Study Abroad Programs

CIEE College Study Abroad
9.676 reviews

CIEE College Study Abroad

CIEE Summer Language + Culture in Alicante, Spain

Spend your summer living and learning in the coastal, vibrant por...

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University Studies Abroad Consortium
9.3185 reviews

University Studies Abroad Consortium

USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean Studies

The USAC program is based at the University of Alicante, which ha...

CEA
8.9416 reviews

CEA

CEA CAPA Education Abroad in Alicante, Spain

Nestled on Spain’s stunning Costa Blanca, Alicante features white...

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Instituto Hemingway
101 reviews

Instituto Hemingway

Cooking Programs in Spain

Have you ever wanted to master Spanish cuisine? Discover the secr...

Enforex - Spanish in The Spanish World
00 reviews

Enforex - Spanish in The Spanish World

Spanish Courses in Spain with Enforex

Dive into a language adventure in some of Spain’s most vibrant ci...

Don Quijote
00 reviews

Don Quijote

Learn Spanish in Spain with Don Quijote

If you love the combination of sun and sea, Spain is the perfect ...

Non-Profit Study Abroad (NPSA)
00 reviews

Non-Profit Study Abroad (NPSA)

University of Alicante - Non Profit Study Abroad

This low-cost, non-profit study abroad program offers internation...

Spanish Studies Abroad
9.577 reviews

Spanish Studies Abroad

Alicante, Spain | Liberal Arts in Spanish

Immerse yourself fully in the Spanish language and culture in the...

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Latest Program Reviews

My honest review & advice

by: Ava Snider - United StatesProgram: USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean Studies
8

Studying 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!

A Guide to Studying Abroad in Alicante

How to Study Abroad in Alicante

Students have a wide range of courses they can study in Alicante in conjunction with taking Spanish classes, from business and engineering to fashion design and creative writing. Many of the programs also offer experiential opportunities to intern, volunteer, and explore Alicante and other cities in Spain. 

Popular subjects to study in Alicante. While a myriad of subjects are available, most students come to Alicante to study Spanish, culinary arts, or architecture. Spanish programs offer homestay placements, smaller classes, one-on-one tutors, and intensive language classes for students to become fluent in the language. With Alicante’s culture revolving around food and the arts, it comes as no surprise that students are interested in these subjects. 

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs. The university academic year in Spain typically starts in October and ends in June, and some of the programs will start in September to coincide with Spain’s universities starting in the fall. Several programs are in the summer, so you’ll be able to gain extra credits without missing out on the year back home. You could also choose to enroll in courses as short as a spring break or May term as well. 

Attending university vs. other program types. Some students might choose to directly enroll in the University of Alicante (one of the most all-inclusive and modern campuses in Spain) through their own university or find a program provided by an external company. Your university study abroad advisor will be happy to help you decide what kind of program will best fit your educational needs and desires.

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