Study Abroad Programs in Tenerife, Spain

Studying abroad in Tenerife shouts fiesta, but stay focused! This tiny pebble afloat in the Atlantic has an impressive amount of sites and activities packed within its shores that may just be kryptonite for students who are easily distracted. Students looking for a more authentic Spanish experience may want to avoid the south coast, to which tourists flock, but overall the island is a popular destination for European tourists year-round.

Popular subjects to study. Tenerife has incredible ecological and geological diversity, forged through millennia of tectonic activity. El Teide is one of the 16 Decade Volcanoes scattered across the face of the planet, and offers a truly unique backdrop for students with an interest in natural sciences. Given the surroundings, students of subjects such as conservation & preservation, earth sciences, ecology, and marine biology will also enjoy practical advantages to studying abroad in Tenerife. 

For obvious reasons, Tenerife is a great destination for students of Spanish, too. Canarian Spanish exhibits similarities to Andalusian and Caribbean Spanish, although you’ll most likely be learning good ol’ formal Spanish in the classroom. Use the language outside of lessons to pick up colloquial differences and to really expand upon your Spanish skills; you’ll surely stand out in the workforce later on.

Short term and summer programs vs. long term programs. You’re looking at year-round, picture-perfect weather in Tenerife, so trying to choose a program duration based on avoiding tourists would unfortunately be a fool’s errand.

Summer study abroad programs in Tenerife are amongst the most popular, and great for students looking to squeeze in a few more credits before graduation while sparing costs. Fall, spring, and academic year programs will definitely put your Spanish skills to the test and take you beyond “cómo estás?” and “dónde está mi pizza?” You’ll also be granted greater exposure to the culture that called you to the island in the first place!

Attending universities vs. other program types. The most accessible path to Tenerife might be third-party programs since your home university probably only offers programs in mainland Spain. There are also five universities for international students in Tenerife who already have a strong command of Spanish and want to apply to certain programs directly.