Visual Arts Study Abroad Programs in Spain

I graduated from high school a semester early, and the only way I wanted to spend my semester was by being abroad. I've known about Semester at Sea for around 6 years and I wanted to take advantage of this opportunity. I searched up the requirements to be accepted and luckily fit all the requirements most importantly being 18, so immediately I applied. I then got an email back the next morning saying I got accepted into the program and that email brought me to tears in the middle of one of my classes. I couldn't wait to board the MV World Odyssey and embark on this journey of a lifetime. On the ship, I gained so much knowledge about different cultures and I was able to be fully immersed in them, not just sticking to the touristy things offered. Semester at Sea does an amazing job keeping the students' safety in country as a priority with having mandatory “Pre-Port meetings” the night before arriving in a country, and offering field programs which are ship run excursions with ship faculty leading them. The community on the ship was nothing I have ever experienced before. We were so close knit and it felt like I was truly in a connected, caring, and welcoming environment. I met the people I never imagined I'd connect with, and they ended up becoming the best connections I've ever made with people. Semester at Sea also helped me get out of my comfort zone which led me to have experiences I would have never imagined I'd have, best example being running a half marathon in Vigo, Spain even though I'm not a runner and have never been a runner. Semester at Sea has given me the world and the opportunity to appreciate it to its fullest. I left the ship with my passport full, but my heart is even fuller with people, memories, and connections I will forever cherish. Semester at Sea was truly the best experience I have ever had and would recommend it to anyone as it was life changing.

One of the most underrated aspect of semester at sea is the ship campus itself. Being able to live so close to your friends and just walking a few flight of stairs to your classroom and being able to sit down with your professors for lunch is such an amazing experience. It's eternal sunsets, it's endless travel stories from your friends, it's lifetime of memories. Highly recommend. One of the best decisions I made. And still day dream about this experience, still talk and travel to meet my SAS friends 4 years later.

I have not experienced anything like semester at sea before, therefore giving me a whole lot of different lenses to look at the world with. I completely enjoyed my experience and understand the importance of understanding others concerns, communication, communities, and countries. A overall wonderful experience that has changed my views as well as the way I live and who I am as a person.

Studying abroad in Seville, Spain, was one of the most rewarding experiences of my college career. As a low-income college student, I never thought studying abroad would be possible for me, even though spending a semester in Spain had been a dream of mine since the beginning my freshman year of high school. Before coming to college, opportunities like this felt completely out of reach. Thanks to scholarships, financial aid, and support from my university and CIEE, I was able to turn that dream into reality. Living in a homestay was one of the highlights of my experience. It gave me the opportunity to experience Spanish culture firsthand, improve my Spanish skills, and learn what daily life in Spain is really like. The academics were engaging, and the support provided by CIEE was excellent from the application through the end of the program. One challenge I faced was healthcare, since I receive a monthly medication. It was little difficult to make sure I had enough before leaving, and I ended up needing to get a dose while abroad and had to pay for it out of pocket. This created some additional stress, but the staff were supportive whenever I needed help navigating challenges like this. I also found making friends difficult at times, but this is something I have always struggled with. Even so, I was able to form a meaningful friendship during my semester abroad. Overall, studying in Seville helped me grow academically, personally, and culturally. One finally piece of advice: If you are currently an undergraduate student who thinks studying abroad is financially our of reach., don't count yourself out. I once felt the same way and I encourage you to explore your opinions. I never thought I would have the chance to do something like this, and it ended up being one of the best experiences of my life.

I would highly recommend CIEE Study Abroad to a friend or a peer because it has been an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience for me. The program provided a great balance between academics and cultural immersion, allowing me to grow both personally and academically. Living with a host family has allowed me to practice my Spanish daily and experience the culture in a more authentic and personal way. I also really appreciate how supportive and available the CIEE staff are. Overall, this experience has helped me become more independent, confident, and open-minded.

Je suis arrivée dans un pays où au début je me sentais étrangère. Très peu de relations avec les locaux comme si j’étais renfermée sur moi-même et ma culture. Pourtant, ce n’est pas ce que j’imaginais. Je m’imaginais sortir boire un verre un samedi soir. Tapear un peu, parler de tout et de rien. Ce que je faisais déjà un peu au Québec. Je cherchais une relation avec ma famille d’accueil, une ouverture de ma part, mais aussi de la leur. J’ai réussi à m’épanouir quand j’ai changé de famille. Cela a été le jour et la nuit. Ce changement m’a ouvert l’esprit et m’a permis de réellement m’encrer avec la culture. Connaître cette facette cachée dont seuls les locaux peuvent te guider à trouver le bon chemin. C’est ça que je cherchais réellement. Je suis tellement reconnaissante envers ceux qui m’ont accompagnée et qui me permettent de vivre l’expérience que je peux vivre aujourd’hui.

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 :)

There are not enough works to express how amazing this experience was for me because I ended up meeting my best friends during my last semester of college. We all signed up for different programs through AIFS, but since we lived in the same building, we were able to bond and dive deeper into the beauties of Barcelona together. We were able to travel to different countries and do fun excursions through AIFS like visit a winery, go hiking in Montserrat, take a cooking class and visit the city's landmarks. While we had to adapt to the cultural differences, living with other AIFS students and spending time with everyone in the program was truly a home away from home. These people were my foundation. We were able to be vulnerable with one another and discover not just a whole new culture together but learn things about ourselves that we never realized before. I will always remember when my friends and I wrote letters to one another to read on the flight home from Barcelona and I do not think I will ever cry as hard as I did than when I read those letters. We have gone from being just steps away from each other in our student residence to being separated by thousands of miles. Barcelona will always be our special place, and I am so thankful to AIFS for introducing me to my best friends.

I studied abroad in Madrid, Spain with AIFS in Spring 2024, and it was an amazing experience. The staff were supportive from the very beginning (before applying), always responsive and quick to help. When my roommates and I had an apartment issue, it was solved right away, and our director constantly checked in on us. Even months later, when I reached out to one of my directors, she remembered me, which shows how genuine the connections with staff really are. Some of my favorite moments were the cooking class, where we made paella and tortilla de patatas, and the friendships I built; I still talk to the people I met abroad every day. This program also helped me grow personally, especially in communication and problem-solving. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone looking for a program that helps you grow, build lasting friendships, and truly immerse yourself in a new culture.

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!

I just studied abroad with SAS in spring of 2025. To say this experience changed my life would be an understatement. I cannot recommend this enough. The learning opportunities are amazing, the staff and faculty do everything they can to make this your home away from home, and the traveling experiences are ONCE IN A LIFETIME!

When I completed Semester At Sea in the fall of 2024, it was my first time traveling over seas. Growing up going on cruise’s I was super excited to start this new journey on the floating campus. Going in knowing no one else I was nervous but soon felt so welcomed, the community on the ship is amazing. Getting to travel the world with other college kids that have the same interest as you is such a wonderful experience. The professors and other staff members are there to make your learning come to life and it was magical to watch that happen, exploring your learning in each country was eye opening. Not only getting to explore a country but 10 countries allowed for a broad variety of cultures that we get to dive into and explore was so rewarding. I would 1000% go on Semester At Sea again and would recommend it to everyone if you’re deciding to study abroad.

I don’t even know where to begin! Semester at Sea was truly a life-changing experience. There’s no other program where you can see so many different places in a single semester. For example, I visited 10 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, experiencing diverse cultures and meeting people from all over the world. Semester at Sea also gives you incredible freedom: while docked, you can join field programs or explore each country independently. Through this journey, I not only learned about the world but also about myself. I became more independent, more confident, and gained a global perspective that has completely changed the way I see the world.

I chose AIFS Abroad because I wanted a program where I felt supported every step of the way, and that’s exactly what I got. I studied in Barcelona, Spain during the Spring semester of 2024. From the moment I applied, the staff made everything so smooth, from helping me with housing to answering all my questions before I left. Once I got there, I felt like I always had someone to turn to, whether it was my AIFS roommate, the staff, or the resources they provided me. That support made adjusting to a new country a lot less overwhelming. Living in Barcelona was incredible. I stayed in a homestay, which immersed me in the culture even more, especially since one of my goals is to become fluent in Spanish. I took classes that connected to my interests and joined excursions that helped me experience the city beyond the classroom. Some of my best memories came from just hanging out with friends I made in the program, whether it was getting lost in the Gothic Quarter, trying tapas together after class, or going on our own weekend trip outside of the country. It felt like we built our own little community abroad. This experience changed me in ways I didn’t expect. It was truly transformative. I became more confident in myself, learned how to adapt in unfamiliar situations, and started seeing new possibilities for my future. Studying abroad with AIFS wasn’t just about traveling; it was about growing. I’d recommend AIFS Abroad to anyone who wants to challenge themselves, travel, and truly immerse themselves in something new.

Semester at Sea was truly the most enriching and inspiring experience of my life. It was invaluable being exposed to so many beautiful cultures, connecting with students, faculty, and staff from around the world, and learning that the world is so vast and yet so interconnected. Because of SAS, I am a more empowered, empathetic, and curious person—and I will forever be grateful for my voyage.

Semester at Sea was by far the best experience I’ve ever decided to do in college! I got to travel to places that I never thought I would visit in my lifetime while also taking college courses. I also created so many lifelong friendships that I will cherish forever.

Studying abroad with Semester at Sea was hands down the best semester of my life. I had the chance to travel the world, meet amazing people, and experience so many different cultures (all of which helped me grow in ways I never expected). Every stop along the way challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and grow in ways a classroom never could. If you’re looking for a sign to just commit and do it, this is it. You won’t regret it!

Almost three years ago, I decided to apply for SAS and give this once far-fetched idea a try. As I covered logistics with my study abroad office, watched tons of videos about it, and read every handbook I could find, I thought I had it all figured out. But little did I know what would await. From newfound confidence in social situations, I learned many life skills, that have had a significant impact in personal growth. Today, whenever people ask me how my semester at sea was, I give them the biggest smile I can and attempt to summarize an experience that no words will ever do justice. I use adjectives like “amazing” and “life-changing” to describe something that was truly more than that. The thought of what this program was and what it did for me brings back so many memories, and I can’t even begin to describe them all in just 30 seconds. I instantly think of the daily bing bong announcements, Berlin story times, and never knowing what day of the week it was. Semester at Sea wasn’t just studying abroad, and traveling the world with some awesome friends. It was an experience built with challenges that translated to how I now view the world, and to me, that’s one of the greatest beauties of this program.

My experience with Semester at Sea was amazing and I would do it again if I could! Its such a unique study abroad program since you go to 10+ countries. I can confidently say it was the most transformative and impactful semester throughout my college experience.

Semester at Sea was simply the best thing I have ever done. It's more than just a normal study abroad experience. With SAS, you get to travel the world while having a ship as your campus; I don't think anything can compare to that. They offer a wide variety of classes for any major, but they also have many classes that explore different aspects of the countries you are visiting to learn more about them. I took World Religions, World History, World Music, and everyone is required to take Global Studies. The professors are all so knowledgeable, and you can tell that they are all so passionate about what they teach. This program really exposes you to all sorts of different cultures and experiences that most people will never get to experience. The sailing aspect also allows you to connect with the other people in such a unique way. It's always so hard to describe it, but the people I met on this voyage will always hold such a special place in my heart, and I know we will still be in each others lives until the end of time. The whole experience really pushes you out of your comfort zone, and I know that I left such a better person than when I first got on. I recommend anyone who has the opportunity to go on one of these voyages, it is something you would never regret and would treasure for the rest of your life.