Interior Design Study Abroad Programs in Spain

I have definitely had a great time studying with UDC and Linguistic Horizons. The arrangements and trips provided by Nicole are always very fun, safe, and great new experiences to have. My host family is very nice and caring, and I have greatly improved my Spanish speaking, learning, and understanding skills through communicating with them daily. Nicole is very easy to reach and helpful in answering all questions. Would highly recommend!

Linguistic Horizons responded to this reviewMay 05, 2026

Muchas gracias, Charles :)

I had wanted to study abroad since high school, and SAI made that happen. It was as fun as I imagined, and I would do it again in a heartbeat if my degree allowed. I love to travel, and immersing myself in the city culture was the best thing I have done. I loved the Viva Experiences that SAI had as well, allowing me to take many day trips, as well as take pottery and dance classes, among other things. I loved the on-site staff as well, getting to know them through various excursions. One ran the program's soccer team in the study abroad league, which I got out of my comfort zone and joined. If you told me I would go and play soccer abroad beforehand, I would have laughed, but looking back I am so glad I took the leap and did so. I may not have been great, but I made friends and had a lot of fun.

My time with SAI was amazing. The entire team was extremely caring and responsive to any issue that we had abroad. Everyone was knowledgable and had many resources as to how to be successful abroad. The only thing I will say is that the housing situations were hit or miss location and size wise. It would have been nice to have more information on housing options and assignments. Other than that, great program with different options for volunteering, host families, and events!

During my time abroad I learned more about the world, myself and what i'm capable of than ever before. This was by far the most rewarding thing I have ever done and not a day goes by where I don't miss it. Ive made the best friends I could ever ask for, had some of the best food in my life, seen the most beautiful architecture and learned so much history about other regions its amazed me. I learned how to navigate new environments all on my own in countries where English was not a first language. Ive grown so much independently and mentally from this and will take it with me in my future success! For anyone that is on the fence about going abroad I strongly encourage that you won't regret it, the worst part about abroad for me was having to leave a place that I quickly called home!

Studying in Barcelona had been a dream! I took classes in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation, and Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage at Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. My 7 weeks in that paradise were filled with exploration, inspiration, and so much fun. From amazing people to the delicious cuisine, and stunning architecture to the colorful culture, Spain should be at the top of the must-visit countries list. My favorite activity, besides spending my day at the beach, was wandering around the city without a map and being amazed by the beauty hidden in every corner of Barcelona. Thanks to the Spanish Art and Cultural Heritage class, I learned even more about this impressive history and culture. CIS helped me through every step of adapting to studying and living in Barcelona. They planned fun events for us, such as various tours in famous parts of Barcelona, beach picnic and volleyball, wine tasting, tours to towns in Spain, and cooking classes. I stayed at Aparto Pallars, which is conveniently located near the metro station, from which you can take the metro anywhere. I'm so grateful for this experience, and I'm definitely willing to go back to Barcelona or any other program with CIS!

I thoroughly enjoyed my experience studying abroad with API. It was a unique opportunity to immerse myself in a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and expand my academic and personal horizons. Seville proved to be an ideal location for this experience—rich in history, vibrant in spirit, and full of charm. The city offered an incredible blend of food, attractions, and welcoming locals that made my time there truly memorable. Academically, the courses I took introduced me to subjects I might not have explored otherwise, such as the history of winemaking and Andalusian culture. These topics deepened my appreciation for the region and broadened my global perspective. While my overall experience was overwhelmingly positive, the housing situation presented some challenges. My accommodation was significantly smaller than other available options, and unfortunately, the building was not equipped to handle the unusually high levels of rainfall—reportedly the most Spain has experienced in over 50 years. As a result, the roof began to sag and eventually leaked through the walls and ceilings on multiple floors. The water damage led to warped floorboards and damaged built-ins. When I brought these issues to the attention of the building manager, I was told the unit had dried and no further action would be taken. Since only two weeks remained in the program, I informed API and my program advisors in hopes that the matter would be addressed for future participants. Despite this setback, my study abroad experience was incredibly rewarding, and I would strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to pursue international education. It’s an experience that fosters personal growth, cultural understanding, and lifelong memories.

I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad with CIS Abroad in Thailand during the fall of 2024, and I can confidently say that it was an experience of a lifetime. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking to broaden their horizons. The on-site staff were exceptional, offering unwavering support throughout the entire journey. Their dedication truly made a difference. The cultural richness of Thailand is something I’ll never forget. Thanks to CIS Abroad, I was able to explore countless temples, enjoy local cuisine, and visit beautiful islands and vibrant cities. One of the program’s standout features is its encouragement for students to travel and immerse themselves in new experiences. The staff not only helped prepare us for academics but also ensured we felt confident navigating the country independently. This experience reshaped my perspective on the world. I had the privilege of meeting people from diverse backgrounds, which allowed me to learn and grow in ways I never expected. I also gained a sense of confidence that I didn’t know I needed, thriving in an unfamiliar environment where communication was often challenging due to language barriers. CIS Abroad goes above and beyond to support its students. From teaching about local culture to offering academic assistance (specific to Thailand), they foster an environment of growth and opportunity. Their consistent communication throughout the semester was invaluable. I wholeheartedly recommend CIS Abroad. It’s more than just an academic program—it’s a transformative experience that will empower you to truly live your best life while exploring the world.

I like to think pieces of my heart are sprinkled throughout Sevilla. A little with my host family, my professors at school, the sweet lady I’d see at church, my API coordinators. There’s a bit of me on the rooftop of my host home apartment complex, along the river where we’d picnic, at the bike rack where our group met, in the beautiful plaza, in the heart of downtown with my friends. The night before I left for my semester in Spain, our kitchen table was covered with my suitcases, carry-on bags, passport, snacks, books, and a printed copy of the layout of the airport where my layover would be. I was as prepared as possible; this was my first time flying solo, and it was to a foreign country to live with a new family who didn’t speak English and hopefully to make a few friends from a group of strangers I would be meeting. What I experienced was more than anything I could have ever hoped for or anticipated. The following four months brought innumerable incredible memories and experiences, but it also brought plenty of challenges and opportunities to step outside of my comfort zone, even right from the beginning. But I can guarantee that every minute of it was worth it, I wouldn’t change a single moment of it, and I wouldn’t be who I am today without that experience. There isn’t enough time in the world to recount every incredible experience, but so many of those memories are due to the amazing preparation and planning that went into our excursion trips through API. We experienced weekends in Granada, Cádiz, Ronda, and Lisbon. We stayed in castles, toured marketplaces, and even attended a flamenco show tucked away in a cave in the hills. With each trip was a new opportunity to encounter new people, practice the language, and just be in awe of the vast world that I felt like I was seeing for the first time. I practiced Spanish daily at home with my host mom, laughing together at each of our mispronunciations as she learned a few English words from me too. I said good morning to the woman at the grocery store I passed every morning on my way to the metro stop before school. I exchanged a new vocab word with the security guard I became friends with on the university’s campus before heading into class. Every little piece of my day became extraordinary even in the simplest ways; whether it was attending a fútbol match with seats right next to the pitch, or paying for groceries for the first time on my own, each little moment held an important value in my experience of living life in my new home. It’s hard to believe there was a time in my life before living with daily memories of Spain. Whether it’s in seeing the framed pictures in my room, going to Spanish classes, or talking to friends from my Spain program, not a day passes by without a memory crossing with it. It’s shifted over time in a natural progression. I vividly remember the first few weeks after coming back- a confusing mix of heartbreak, frustration, sadness, uncertainty, everything a human could feel at once. I remember thinking many times during my semester abroad that I figured I felt just about every emotion humanly possible throughout those months. A lot of the time, I couldn’t even figure out how to put into words all of the emotions I was feeling. The most reassuring part was having friends experiencing similar feelings who I could talk to about it as it all happened. No one had all the answers, but we were all in it together, and we continue to carry our inseparable bond from that semester. I’ve found solace in conversations and reminiscing with friends, putting together videos of life abroad, rereading journals or vlogs of moments as they happened, looking through photos, listening to music, talking to other people, keeping in touch with my host family, and continuing to write and process everything. It’s been over a year since moving to Spain, and I’m still trying to reflect and unpack it all. And truthfully, I don’t think I’ll ever fully comprehend everything from that semester. I know I’ll be recognizing and realizing lessons I’ve learned from my time abroad for months and years to come, both life lessons and just ways of understanding myself better. I’m forever grateful for all the people I encountered who made my time abroad exactly as it needed to be. I’m grateful for every ‘yes’ that led to the opportunity to study abroad, and for every ‘yes’ of all the people I came to know and love.

During my time in Seville, Spain I learned a lot about a new culture, country, and myself. The university courses were incredibly interesting and informative and were all taught in Spanish. These courses along with my living with a Spanish family and interacting with the people in the Seville community made me a better Spanish speaker and really allowed me to grow as a person. I was living with a wonderful host family and roommate while also navigating living in a city on my own for the first time as an adult. The API staff on site in Seville were very interactive and supportive and made all of the many excursions even more interesting. Seville is an incredible city with a perfect mixture of beautiful history and modern city life. We were also able to explore other areas of Spain as well with API including Barecelona, Granada, Cadiz and so many others. I met so many new people and had so many new and fun experiences with them. I learned so much about myself and my passions while abroad in Spain and I have definitely become a different and more mature version of myself after returning from this experience. I grew a lot as a person and it is all thanks to this incredible immersive experience I had with API Abroad in Seville, Spain.

I am so glad I chose to study abroad with SAI! They made the whole study abroad experience so much easier! They help you every step of the way starting from the day you apply to the day you leave Barcelona! One of my favorite part about SAI was the VIVA experiences, which are excursions or activities that are included in your program fee that help you experience the local culture. The staff is also super helpful and friendly, they are there to provide any help you need 24/7 during your time abroad.

I love studying in South Korea! It was a bit of a culture shock when I arrived as this trip was a lot of firsts for me, like my first plane ride, time in an airport, and trip outside the country! The sunrises are beautiful, and the Cherry Blossom season is one of a kind. As a picky eater, Korea helped me find more foods to try and experiences I liked. If I had to do something different, I would travel more independently and get lost through exploring. The biggest advice I have is to give it a fair shot and do it. There will be moments when you'll get frustrated with not knowing what to expect, but take those in stride and be patient with yourself.

Studying abroad in Barcelona was the best thing I ever did for myself. Partnering with SAI helped me meet so many of my best friends to this day. SAI was extremely helpful in all aspects of preparing me and ensuring my safety and happiness abroad. My apartment was on the same block as sagrada familia and a 15 minute walk to UAB. Our program directors were extremely accommodating and knowledgeable. The activities helped to bring us together as a study abroad community as well as learn more about Barcelonas geography and culture. I could not recommend anyone but studying abroad in Barcelona and with SAI.

I was hesitant to study abroad for the first time and CIS Abroad exceeded my expectations. CIS Abroad is there to make all steps in your study abroad journey as seamless as possible. The application process is simple and straightforward, and if you have any questions they are always there to help and respond quickly. During the pre-departure meetings, and onsite orientation I knew that I was going to be okay, and this was going to be a journey I would never forget. Arriving in Florence with CIS Abroad, they truly made you feel at home, and the onsite directors were so friendly towards all of us. Without CIS Abroad there to help, my journey would not been of amazing as it was.

Studying abroad in Tokyo, Japan for a month was the most amazing time of my life. I was quite anxious to go to Japan especially since it was going to be my first time leaving the US and flying by myself, however, I received incredible and immense support from the on-site program directors. Being immersed in Japanese culture through program activities like kimono wearing, calligraphy, tea ceremony, and just interacting with locals overall was wonderful. I was able to make friendships with some Japanese students which was so nice because they showed me beautiful places and foods to try. Not only did I make become friends with Japanese students, I also became close with the other study abroad students so I often went out to explore and have tons of fun with them everyday. Waking up everyday in Japan brought so much excitement because there is so much to see and do so I NEVER felt bored. As for Seisen University, the campus I attended in Tokyo, was beautiful and quiet. It was only a short train ride and walk away from my accommodation, so maybe a 20 minute commute. However, it is on a hill so it was quite a workout to walk to campus from the train station especially with the really hot and humid weather during the summer months. Then, the teachers were great! They were really interactive, entertaining, and passionate about what they were teaching. Since it was a summer program that only lasted a month, the courses were very fast paced especially the Japanese language courses. Also, the Japanese students were super friendly and kind and I always enjoyed talking to them and eating lunch with them. It was truly fascinating learning from them and I learning from them about our lives. Overall, I definitely recommend studying abroad with Cis abroad and choosing one of their Japan programs. It was a decision that I was highly doubting before I went but after experiencing it, I have no regrets at all and am very grateful for it. It is an opportunity that I wish everyone to experience.

Studying abroad with SAI was the best experience of my life. I learned about SAI through a friend, and I will definitely be recommending it to everyone. The on site program coordinators Sandrine and Elena were very welcoming and helpful from my arrival in Barcelona until my departure. Every activity they had planned for us was very well planned and executed. They work hard to get to know all of their students and they deeply care for each student. The housing they provide was in a great location and was very nice. I am so glad I chose to study abroad with SAI!

SAI Programs responded to this reviewJuly 20, 2023

Thank you for your review, we are so glad you enjoyed your experience in Barcelona!

Tremendous staff. Environment is like none other and they accommodate well. For Seville, the city has been tremendous and CIEE gives you a proper introduction to this magnificent city. Whether an intern or a student during one of the sessions, you can get along with everyone and overcome the anxieties of a new city

I would be very likely to recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend because this program gives you many opportunities to explore the city you are in as well as the surrounding areas. All of the employees are very kind people who will be their to uplift and support the students who are abroad.

There aren't enough words in the world to both capture and do justice to my semester abroad in Sevilla. From the buildings, the restaurants, the music, the food, and most of all, the people, everything played a part in developing some of the most cherished memories of my life. Day to day, I would take the metro to my university, where I took Spanish classes along with other students studying abroad from across the globe. Classes were available in English, as well as different levels of Spanish, so it's perfect for any language level. Transportation throughout the city was very easy; there's one metro line that keeps public transportation simple, and everything you need in the city is within walking or biking distance, which is the most common way people get around. I loved Sevilla because it was smaller than the bigger cities like Madrid or Barcelona which made it feel more personal, but there was still so much to see and do. I lived with a host family which was a great way to get more comfortable with the language and meet some locals from the city, and they helped Sevilla feel more like home for me. I also became very close with the other students in my program, who were like-minded people all in an unfamiliar place but excited to try something new. I can't speak highly enough of the experience as a whole, the API team members who played such a huge role in making it so wonderful, the faculty at the school who taught me so much in and out of the classroom, and every part of the city that made it feel like home.

Elisava was such a unique experience and I am glad l I took this chance to grow and learn. Doing it through SAI really helped to ease me into it. SAI staff were always there for support and constantly checked in which created a sense of community and comfort. Elisava as a school is a really wonderful place where people from all over come to learn and share their design background. Compared to some other study abroad programs in Barcelona, Elisava is a heavy workload but is highly rewarding. There is such a strong sense of community and teamwork with so many differing perspectives which really broadened my horizons.

I really liked studying abroad through SAI. They care about you and want you to have a great time while you are there. They offered lots of activities for us; wine tastings, beach trips, visiting Dali museums in other cities, hikes, and museum tours. The activities were a really nice way to spend time with people in the program regardless of if they also went to UAB, since SAI has 6 different schools in Barcelona. I was able to join a soccer team for SAI where we competed weekly downtown, near the beach, against other study abroad programs in a tournament. It was a really fun way to get to know people in my program, and also people in other programs because we would stay after and talk to them. I highly recommend SAI for the community they help you build there and the opportunity of studying abroad through a homier group.