Why Study Abroad in Spain? 11 Convincing Reasons
Are you searching for THE place to make your study abroad unforgettable, then Studying abroad in Spain is worth a look. You will find warm weather, low cost of living, a vibrant nightlife, laid-back relaxed surroundings and a people who are friendly and inviting.
Spain, situated between Portugal and France along the Mediterranean is a prime choice to spend a semester, summer, or an entire academic year. You will gain valuable travel experience, enjoy a culture rich with the arts and history, and you will be able to immerse yourself with fluency to fully experience Spanish as a second language when you return home from studying in Spain.
It’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made. <3
Studying abroad in Spain means you will expand your educational boundaries to embrace Spain’s culture and history, the arts, literature, architecture and religion.
Read about and experience Spain as you enjoy beautiful coastlines, mountains, rivers and islands. Are you interested in Castilian Spanish, spoken in the Northern and Central regions?
The Spanish Empire will jump off the history pages as you enjoy the excitement in this place of festivals, siestas and Flamenco.
Why study in Spain?
1. You won’t run out of location options.
You will have multiple cities to choose to live and even more to visit while studying in Spain.
You might want to choose Madrid or Barcelona to study abroad in Spain, or a spring semester in Seville. While you are there enjoy a high speed train, or car ride to Bilbao, Granada, Málaga, Salamanca, Santander, Seville, Córdoba, Cádiz, Ronda, Marbella, Jerez de la Frontera or Valencia for your cup of mint tea over tagine, or better yet glass of Sangria.
Even Morocco is just a boat ride away and waiting for you to spend a day looking at fantastic rugs and wares.
2. Hands down—best cuisine in Europe. Period.
The food is one of our top reasons for why study abroad in Spain.
Enjoy Spanish traditional dishes which include an abundance of cheese: Cabrales, Mahón, Herreño Manchego, fresco, semi-curado, Arzúa-Ulloa, to name a few.
How about cured meats, Chorizo, Gazpacho, or Spanish omelettes, Pisto, and Paella? You will quickly grow an appetite for Spanish ham including Iberian and serrano form, tortilla, pa amb tomàquet, pulpo á feira, paella salmorejo, gazpacho, paella, and cocido madrileño.
Sound like a lot of fancy names? Actually, food in Spain is fresh, simple and prepared with love.
[9 Best Universities in Spain for International Students]
What a bonus to dine on paella and sangria, enjoy a tapas or pintxos bar, or enough wine and cava to drink in Spain and bring or ship your favorites home! Spanish people are very fond of food. You will enjoy the experience Barriga llena, corazón contento, AKA “a full belly and a happy heart”!
3. Your pocket book will thank you.
There’ll be new surprises around every corner
Typically, you’ll find Spain’s major cities cost less than neighboring European capitals. Study abroad in the historic charm of Bilbao, or consider Granada, with views of an ancient Moorish palace.
Need help deciding between larger cities, i.e. should you study abroad in Barcelona or Madrid? Spain remains a great value destination which will allow you more time for the money. It all adds up, for instance the metro is much cheaper than New York or London.
Many clubs have free entrance, rent can average around 400 euros, grab a coffee for 1.20 to 1.40 or a lunch and a beer for around 12 euros. You won’t break the bank while studying in Spain!
4. The history and culture combine in new and interesting ways.
Study abroad in Spain and experience the arts. Spain is known for Moorish art and architecture and Medieval and Renaissance art. It is the home to famous artist, Picasso, Goya, Salvador Dali and you will squeal with delight as you read and envision a visit to the opportunity below.
- Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Gaudi Sites
- The Prado and Paseo del Artes, Madrid
- Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
- The White Towns of Andalucía
- The Alhambra and Generalife Gardens, Granada
- The Great Mosque of Cordoba (Mezquita)
- San Lorenzo de El Escorial
- Seville Cathedral and Alcazar
- Santiago de Compostela Cathedral
- Plaza Mayor, Madrid
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia
- Costa del Sol Beaches
- La Rambla, Barcelona
- Toledo’s Old City
- El Teide, Tenerife
5. Fiesta or siesta—you decide!
There are many musical festivals in Spain if you want to enjoy the people and their customs. At La Tomatina – Every August in the town of Buñol, you will take part in the world’s largest tomato fight.
For about an hour, thousands of people throw tomatoes at each other drenching the town and you in tomato pulp! The Semana Grande of Bilbao is host to the Samana Grande, a nine-day festival with performances, concerts, fairs, and exhibitions. Enjoy the nightly firework competitions.
Carnival all across Spain are everywhere in February so no matter where you choose studying in Spain, you will enjoy the rhythm of the Spanish guitar and dance of the Flamenco.
Need a little down time, the Spanish take a long lunch-break, around 3 hours, during the heat peak time. Relax, or use the time for family, running errands or NAP, the Spanish Siesta.
The Sagrada Familia will take your breath away
6. Your Spanish skills will thank you.
While in Spain, take the opportunity to study Spanish the second most spoken and influential language in the world. Whether a beginner or you want to improve your current level, Spain is the place to immerse yourself in the language, culture, and courses offered.
Wherever you go in Spain, you will have an opportunity to practice as you build up your fluency. While in Spain, in addition to Castilian Spanish, learn about Catalan, Galician, or other regional usage, and build your understanding of translation in different regions and cultures.
7. …but you can study in Spain in English, too!
If you’re not ready to take a full course load of classes all taught en español, don’t sweat (or at least try not to—it’s hot here!). You can find a lot of great course options that use English at the medium of instruction.
These are most easily found at universities or through third-party program providers, like CISabroad or Boston University’s summer internship program.
If you don’t speak a lick of Spanish, good news—you can study in Spain in English just like your compadres. Just be sure to give your program advisor the heads up while applying!
8. It’s fun to get into local sports.
Be a sports fan and celebrate after any one of Spain's sports success! Enjoy football (soccer), basketball, and tennis.
Spain might host the FIFA World Cup while you are there, Summer Olympics, or be your own athlete and get out in the cities full of history, architectural wonders, warm climate and diverse terrain.
Enjoy the mountains, coastlines, rivers and islands! Spain is the home of La Liga, a popular soccer (or fútbol) league, so whether a Barca fan, a fan of Real Madrid, or just want to join the passionate soccer culture, studying in Spain is a must for you.
9. There’s plenty more to study than just Spanish.
Need to make a decision on study abroad in Spain options? Start with your pursuit of language immersion and study Spanish, or grab a look a history or political science and politics.
Other options are business, art, communications. In Spain you will have the option to add your personal interests of study and experience the exciting culture by taking a course in flamenco guitar, Spanish cooking, or jotas or flamenco dancing.
You’ll get to see more of off-the-beaten path Spain, like Casares
If you want to fully experience Spain, decide if you want a semester, or a year-long program, then check which classes are taught in English and which in Spanish. When you take a break from your studies, enjoy streets lined with tapas bars, bodegas, and the exciting social life that surrounds you. Find any number of academic year study abroad programs in Spain.
[9 Best Study Abroad Programs in Spain in 2019]
10. You’ll get to rock out to new music genres and styles.
You might be walking to class, and pass a porch where a young gentleman is playing Spanish guitar, perhaps he is strumming away in Andalusia where the guitar was invented, and whether you’re a music student or want to become one, do you need to even ask yourself “why study abroad in Spain?” again?
Enjoy a passionate musical culture deep and rich with traditions like the Benedictine’s medieval Gregorian chant from the Baroque and Renaissance periods. Music is an integral part of Spanish life, enjoy Bacalao in Valencia, a place for good music including your own performance! Sing, dance, play music what better place to enjoy.
Of course, Jazz boasts excellent shows and festivals from San Sebastián to Barcelona. Jota which originated in Aragon, blends castanets, tambourines guitar and sometimes the flute. Zarzuela, a popular opera began as court entertainment near Madrid at the Palacio de la Zarzuela.
11. So many renowned universities to make your resume POP
There are many options in Spain for studying abroad. In addition to Barcelona and Madrid, there are many highly educational universities in Valencia, Salamanca, Granada, Bilbao, Malaga, and more.
Universities boasting high numbers of international students include Universidad de Navarra, Universidad de Alcalá, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, and Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF).
Packaged programs costs usually include tuition, emergency support, health insurance, and remember to take a look at GoAbroad Scholarship Directory for opportunities to ease your wallet.
[The Ultimate Studying Abroad in Spain Bucket List]
FAQs on Spain study abroad
Where are popular cities to study in Spain?
The most popular cities for study abroad in Spain are Barcelona and Madrid, but don’t be afraid to strike out and make your mark in smaller Spanish cities, like Salamanca or Cordoba, too.
Take a break from your studies like the locals—on the beach!
How much does it cost to study in Spain?
The cost of studying abroad in Spain varies significantly depending on the length of your program, what it includes, what time of year you go, and the lavishness of your lifestyle. Here’s a snapshot of Spain study abroad program costs:
Don’t forget to budget and save for the following additional costs for studying in Spain:
- Flights to/from Spain
- Passport
- Travel money (weekends in Mallorca!!!)
- Accommodations and food
- Travel insurance (tips here)
- Churro fund
What are the most popular study abroad programs in Spain?
Be sure to pick the right program abroad—it can make or break the experience.
We’ve worked hard to scour reviews and vet programs to bring you the best study abroad programs in Spain this year, but if you don’t want the full run-down, here’s a snapshot:
Find out who claimed spots 5-10 by reading the rest of the article.
Next steps to arranging your own semester or summer abroad in Spain
If you are trying to decide how to choose where to study abroad, begin to narrow down your choices. You’ll want to explore if the courses you take abroad count toward your degree. Check with your university study abroad or international office, and then make a list of the pros and cons of program options and be real with yourself. This may be a time to follow your heart and not end up in a place that was a second choice or you just went because your research wasn’t conclusive.
Ask about transfer credits and housing, and don’t walk out without mentioning financial aid for study abroad. One thing is for sure, you’ll make lifelong friends in Spain—both local and otherwise! The Spanish are talkative and full of life, jokes, and pride in their culture. Be a part of a robust scene of laughing, loving, singing and dancing.
Feeling overwhelmed? Get free study abroad program recommendations in Spain from our Online Advisors, or start bookmarking and favoriting possible program options on your own with MyGoAbroad. We’re here for you!
[14 Reasons Why Spain is the Best Place to Study Abroad in Europe]
You’re so much closer to studying in Spain
Live the good life—study in Spain!
Live in a Spanish homestay, in an apartment or, in a student residence. Homestay students receive daily breakfast and dinner from the family. Apartment and student residence students will receive a meal allowance to subsidize the cost of groceries and meals. As a student in Spain, you are allowed to work part-time while studying or full-time for less than three months in total, as long as it does not interfere with your study routine. What’s more, the Spanish are known to have a long lunch-break, around 3 hours, during the heat peak time.
Get Matched with 5 Study Abroad Programs in Spain for FREE
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qLvAm6momZRjsLC5jpqpraGTobK0e9KtrJ2xXZavs7vAnWawoKliwLXBw7JkmpqipK6lecinZKyokZ67