Marine Biology Study Abroad Programs in Spain

We did a giant loop of the Caribbean in 88 days, beginning in Antigua and sailing down through the lesser antilles to the coast of South America, then on to Jamaica, Honduras, Mexico, Cuba, and several other islands learning navigation, vessel operations, as well as credentialed college material.

My Sea|mester voyage(s) were unforgettable trips for more than a few reasons. Not only did it provide an environment where all students could live in their classroom and form unbreakable bonds, but it also allowed young adults to truly experience this planet we call home. I was able to sail the Carribbean while earning college credits, and get Padi scuba certifications- all taking place in the first few months of 2020. Even though we sailed right into the Covid-19 global pandemic (no pun intended), it really proved what an incredibly well thought-out program Sea|mester promises. Safety is always the top priority for any adventure, and this study abroad program delivers. The professional staff are excellent at teaching their subject matter, and the experiential learning never ends. This program is incredibly well suited for individuals that want to go out of their comfort zone, meet other students that also are seeking adventure, and who understand that you only live once. One of my main reasons for finding and selecting this program was because I was able to study abroad and experience different countries, cultures, and lessons- all while our floating home traveled with us. I even went back on a second trip with Sea|mester in the summer of 2021, and it was just as enjoyable as the first time around. These trips are for those who are excited to experience the world, and not afraid to put in the effort and teamwork to travel from place to place. You really do feel a sense of accomplishment when you can look back and see how much you learn about the subject material, and about yourself.

If you had told me in January 2023 that I would spend my summer on a 112-foot schooner, crossing the Atlantic with zero sailing experience, I would have laughed, and then asked what a foulie was. My voyage was different from the typical Semester at Sea experience. Argo was small, with just 12 students and 6 staff, so there was nowhere to hide and no one to hide from. By the end, we were no longer a group of students and staff. We were a family. Some of my favorite moments happened after dark. My watch team and I would lie flat on the deck inside what we called the “sparkle dome”: bioluminescence glittering in the water below and a galaxy of stars above, so that it felt as though we were floating in the middle of a sphere of light. With no cell service for days, there was nothing to look at but the ocean and nothing to listen to but each other. Those nights, I felt both the smallest and the luckiest I have ever been. The ocean also gave me my favorite surprises. Crewmates would bang on my hatch window so that I would come up and see the dolphins, even when it wasn’t my watch. They knew how much I loved the marine life, and they cared enough to wake me for it. I can’t think of a better way to be loved. Then there was the adrenaline. Our passage to the Azores brought near gale force winds and 3 to 4 meter swell in the pitch black. We crawled across the deck at 4 am, dodging flying fish and waves crashing over the stern, then spent the rest of the day being tossed around our bunks. It was uncomfortable and chaotic, and it produced some of the best laughter of my life. On calmer days, I was backflipping off the bow, climbing the mast to free a halyard shackle, and leading my first sail raise. The girl who struggled on her first sailing test and felt like the only one without experience learned to motivate her watch team through the 3 am boat checks that no one ever wants to do. Our crew was divided into watch teams, groups that rotated through shifts steering, navigating, and keeping Argo safe around the clock. Over time, those teams became tight-knit units with their own traditions. That identity came to a head during the watch team challenge course, a friendly competition in which the teams raced against one another through a series of physical and teamwork-based tasks, including a run up a grassy, slippery hill. Watch Team Two won, and we celebrated it with the seriousness of an Olympic victory, complete with an aggressively chanted team name. In port, we hiked and explored new countries together, and each place felt bigger because I was seeing it through the eyes of people who had become my closest friends. Our captain, Calum, joined our holiday traditions, told stories we will carry with us forever, and taught us silly songs. He showed us how to be a family and, more importantly, how to be part of one. When the voyage ended, I walked the length of a dock in Gibraltar alone, leaving Argo and everyone aboard behind. It was one of the hardest goodbyes of my life. But it wasn’t really a goodbye. Our entire crew is still in a group chat that texts daily. Argo taught me how to sail, but the people taught me what a crew truly is, and I know they will be close to me for the rest of my life.

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 :)

The time I spent on this adventure is something I will never forget. I won't forget the amazing people and places we visited. no matter what I know I will hold this experience I won't forget, and there won't be another like it. The Classes were great as well as the sail handling as well. Thank you for the amazing time I and my freinds had

I would 100% recommend this trip to anyone who is interested in adventure, trying new things, and being a part of a team. When I came across Seamester online, it just felt right from the beginning, and I knew it was something I wanted to do. Actually, going on the trip was even better and like coming home. A value of mine is living life to the fullest, enjoying the small things, and I want to live a life where at the end, I know I did everything and felt everything. I have never felt as alive and so at home as I did on Argo. It is hard to describe all the emotions I've felt over the past 90 days. I have never felt so close to people and myself as I did on Argo. I have learned to love people in a deeper way and gained a new appreciation for everything. I am extremely grateful for all the lifelong friendships made. I am proud of myself for taking the jump and who I've become through the experience. If you share any of the same interests and are considering doing a Seamester, I urge you to do it because it will change you in ways you can't even imagine.

Seamester was an amazing experience. It challenged me in so many ways including physically and mentally, and I grew so much as a person in several different ways. I loved seeing the world on a sailboat and it truely was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

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 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 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.

Seamester was the adventure of a lifetime. I went into it not knowing how to sail but wanting to learn, and came out of it not only with that knowledge, but also with memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me so many new things about myself. The staff members were amazing with their teaching and support, especially when times got rough. Their diligence ensured we all made it safely across the pacific. I also loved the places we visited, with my favorites being the Galapagos, Mo'orea, and the Panama Canal. The class schedule could be challenging at times, and waking up for watch in the middle of the night was definitely not my strong suit, but overall I had an amazing semester. I couldn't recommend Seamester enough and I'm so grateful for this wonderful experience.

I took a gap year after high school and chose to spend my Fall onboard S/Y Argo and sail from Palau, through Indonesia, to Bangkok Thailand. I had some scuba diving experience, but had never even been aboard a sailboat before. The Seamester staff was supportive and amazing. I made some of my strongest friendships and had the most amazing experiences, from diving with oceanic manta rays to long night watches sailing through the rough South China Seas. I learned so much about diving, sailing, and marine sciences, as well as so much about myself as a person. I would recommend Seamester to anyone considering it!

This has been the most amazing trip of my life just now finishing up and cannot believe the experience I have gained from traveling. The traveling, sailing, academics all of it as a whole is something I will never forget for the rest of my life. From traveling the streets of Rome to diving the blue waters of Dominica nothing compares to a trip of this caliber. The academics have been great especially seeing the things you learn about in class as we are diving or sailing is amazing. Straight from classroom to using the skills or topics in the real world. 10/10 would do this trip again and wish it would never end.

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.

I had a lovely time here, although it was not without flaws. The amenities were not great especially considering how much we paid to be here. The company guilt tripped and body shamed us. But I made innumerable new friends and had experiences that I will cherish forever.

Very nice experience, learned a lot. People I’ve met here are now friends I will still be in contact with. The internship was where I learned new skills and networked with people within the fashion industry and got inspired by being here abroad

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.