Spanish Study Abroad Programs in Granada, Spain

Living in Granada and taking classes through API's study abroad program was hands down the best six months of my life. I attended classes with students from around the world, and the courses varied in both subject matter and level of rigor. This allowed me to experience different styles of Spanish education and challenge myself academically. Studying abroad completely changed the way I view life, people, and different cultures. My experience in Granada helped me develop a new level of confidence through solo travel, learning a new language, navigating an unfamiliar city, finding new friends from new backgrounds, and growing through countless trial-and-error moments. The skills and perspective I gained are invaluable, and I know they will continue to shape the person I become. API provided what felt like an unlimited amount of support and resources, including guidance on health, travel, academics, local recommendations, news, and cultural festivals. Even in a completely new environment, I never felt lost or unsupported.

The summer of 2025, when I studied abroad in Granada for one month, I also traveled around Europe a lot. And, I can say with complete confidence that Granada was my favorite place out of everywhere I went. AIFS had a lot to do with that. Noelia and Alberto were so kind, helpful, and accommodating. My positive experience in Granada had so much to do with them.

Instituto Hemingway offers long-term Spanish courses that truly work. Teachers are skilled and supportive, lessons are engaging, and the immersive environment in Bilbao helps you progress quickly. I improved my fluency and confidence every week. Highly recommended!

This program significantly improved my Spanish speaking ability and increased my independence, despite initial challenges with constantly speaking a different language. I highly recommend it to future students—it's a rare opportunity! My advice: plan ahead and pack lightly.

My biggest personal challenge in Granada was getting comfortable being independent. The greatest benefit of the program was the Spanish immersion to learn the language much faster. I would absolutely recommend this program to future students for an authentic and cultural experience abroad.

From the moment I arrived at ISA Granada, the program’s academics and immersive cultural events made every day an adventure. The Spanish courses at the Universidad de Granada were great, and all programming outside of class was guided by the dedicated team of Lorena Herrera, Ángel Garzón Peña, and Marisa, whose support and local insights unlocked hidden corners of the city. Beyond the classroom, I explored Granada’s Moorish monuments, witnessed passionate flamenco performances in the Albacin with the group, and had a lot of fun at the excursions to Toledo’s medieval streets, Madrid’s art hubs, the Alpujarra’s mountain villages, Almuñécar’s beaches, and had the most amazing spring break in Morocco. Also, the food was terrific and had great spots around every corner. All architecture and every meal celebrated Granada’s rich tapestry of Moorish, Jewish, and Christian influences, from fragrant tagines and almond-based sweets to stews, tapas, and fresh seafood. Living with my host family felt like I was at home in Spain. Their warm hospitality, home-cooked feasts, and late-night conversations turned moments of uncertainty into stories of laughter and resilience. ISA Granada didn’t just improve my Spanish; it showed me how to embrace the unfamiliar, listen deeply across cultures, and forge connections that transcend borders. I returned home more culturally aware and inspired to channel my problem-solving and adaptability skills into my career.

My semester in Granada was an experience that I will never forget. The program itself was thoughtfully designed and well-organized. The planned excursions were engaging and and gave me the chance to explore Granada and integrate myself with the city. From walking through the Alhambra to discovering smaller neighborhoods and local markets, I was constantly in awe of the architecture and the history that shrouds every inch of the city. The people also made the experience even better. The ISA Granada staff: Marisa, Lorena, and Ángel were so warm, welcoming, and genuinely passionate about the city. Their energy was infectious and they created a supportive environment that made it that much easier to adjust to living in Granada. I also formed lasting friendships with both American and international peers while living in Granada. We supported each other, learned together, and shared so many memorable experiences. Overall, my semester in Granada was a life-changing experience. I left not only with stronger Spanish skills, but also with unforgettable memories, meaningful friendships, and a deep appreciation for the history, culture, and people of the city. I would recommend ISA Abroad in Granada to anyone looking for cultural immersion in a gem of a city.

I studied abroad for the fall semester in Granada, Spain with Arcos. Although it is obvious that the program is a Spanish immersion one, I have to share that the German language instruction was great. This program is great for language learning beyond just Spanish.

My 15 year old son had never traveled abroad before and he had an incredible experience! He made new friends and loved his host mom. I highly recommend Arcos for anyone considering an immersion program.

My favorite place on earth! Granada is very special and has so much to offer. While being a smaller city, it does not lack excitement and activities for a younger generation. It's safe and the people there are kind and generous. I lived iGranadada for almost 9 months, and my experience with the onsite directors, schooling, and fellow students was amazing. I would recommend Granada to someone looking for a smaller city with lots of culture and a slower-paced and affordable lifestyle. I cannot wait to come back and visit my directors and teachers.

I studied abroad in Granada for the first semester of my junior year. Honestly, I wish that I had done a full-year program because I had an amazing time! Upon arriving at my residence hall, Real Colegio Mayor de Bartolome y Santiago, the staff were friendly and helpful. They gave me a hand moving my luggage up to the fourth floor, which was quite the workout since there are no elevators. The residence hall, while it is quite old, is beautiful with several interior patios. The one major downside during my stay was the inconsistent wifi; however, aside from that, the building was great! The cook accommodated my dietary restrictions and was super friendly even when I consistently asked for more fries! The residence hall was an easy five-minute walk away from the IES building, which was super convenient, especially on the days when I was a little late to start the day. Over the semester, I took five classes, one of which I tested into - Spanish, and the rest were up to me! I enjoyed the mix of in-class work and visits that were interspersed throughout. I took Contemporary Theater, Urban Cultures, Islamic Architecture, and Mediterranean Ecosystems, which was one of the few classes taught in English. The teachers were enthusiastic about their fields and readily provided support when needed. The staff at IES were also helpful, on the days when I was feeling under the weather and needed health support! Lastly, I enjoyed the trips which were incorporated into the program! We went to Ronda, Sevilla, Cordoba, Cabo de Gata, and Morocco for a week, in conjunction with my class visits, I got to see and experience so much! I highly recommend this program!

Studying abroad with API was the best possible way to spend a semester in college! A few things I loved in particular about Granada & API: (1) Support offered by resident directors: whether you need help changing your courses on the first week of class or just need someone to talk to, they are always there and are the sweetest people you’ll ever meet. (2) Host family: they were so welcoming and always made me feel at home; it also gave me the chance to practice the language far more than I would’ve been able to living in a dorm or apartment with other exchange students. (3) City: Granada is a fascinating mix of old and new, big and small, and full of the most beautiful spots that look like they’re straight out of a movie. (4) Travel: Granada also allows you to travel easily; you can take the two hour Alsa bus ride to the Málaga airport to find flights headed almost anywhere you can imagine, or explore one of the countless day trips just a bus or train ride away. Overall, I can’t recommend studying abroad in Granada with API enough. I can assure you that you’ll return with broadened global perspectives and memories that will last a lifetime.

My director was not only incredibly welcoming and kind, but also very knowledgeable about the places in Granada where she took us! She very effectively made our whole group feel like a family. Although he was only with us for a small part of the program, I got to know my other director quickly on a personal level. He knew a lot of the intricacies of Granada, like where to eat, find jazz music, and which parts of every beach were the best. Though a program coordinator, I would consider him a dear friend. The professors were very qualified in their subjects and would encourage student participation frequently. I had incredible luck to be hosted by Antonio and Carmen. Genuinely two of the kindest and most hospitable people I’ve ever met. If I return to Granada I hope to pay them a visit and give them a big hug.

Isabel was an amazing director that always fun to talk to. I could always ask for help when I needed it, especially about transportation and food recommendations! Adela was a great homestay mom that would always make an effort talk to my roommate and I! She was always willing to help us out! Tips: Get prepared for jet lag and culture shock because it’s gonna happen and it’s gonna suck for the first few days. But also explore the city and try different things that you normally wouldn’t have at home, and try stay connected with friends and family back at home. The greatest benefits I had was meeting a bunch of different people from various places and getting to call them my friend in my program. Even for a short time, we were all in this together.

The Arcos staff are very nice and helpful!! This was one of the best Spanish classes I’ve taken. The amount of work was not stressful and during class we had discussion which helped me learn so much. My host parents were very cute people --very nice and accommodating. My advice is to go to all of the cultural activities and excursions. Make friends with other people in you program get together with them outside of activities. Try and go other places on free days and explore. It’s okay to have chill days and not go anywhere too. This is a great program if you are open to experiencing a different culture, making new friends, seeing a differing part of the world and the completely different landscape, while using your Spanish in real context.

My Arcos director was very available and willing to help in any way necessary! Very knowledgeable and easy to talk with! I really liked the classes. My homestay was AMAZING! She was so kind and encouraging when communicating, she also ran a very clean house and was a great cook! Tips: Be prepared to say yes to everything if you want the full experience! Challenges: Adjusting to the new language and culture in a variety of different situations Benefits: Increased fluidity in language speaking as well as a broader view of the world.

My Arcos director was very helpful and easy to communicate with, and went above and beyond to give recommendations. I had great teachers, the were fun and interactive. I loved my host parents, they were fun and loving. I felt very welcomed to be there! I'm going to miss them. The greatest benefits were the experiences I had and friendships I made.

My director Isabel was absolutely incredible—very caring and considerate. During a tour at the Alhambra, she helped me manage my fear of heights, which I deeply appreciated. The program, made easy by Arcos, was valuable for learning about Spanish history and culture (a highlight for a history buff like me) and improving my Spanish.

The program staff provided helpful reminders. I suggest classes offer a syllabus with grading breakdowns for better preparation. The homestay location was a 25 minute walk from the center. I met wonderful people, loved the cultural experience, and gained self-confidence. I highly recommend this program.

My directrors were super sweet, fun and kind. My host mom was amazing. She made my trip so magical. She is such a kind sweet woman and really made my experience so special. I had a great experience living with a host and gaining cultural experience.