How to Study Abroad in Spain

Quick Answer

In this article you can learn all about studying abroad in Spain, and how to do so!

Questions This Article Answers

How to study abroad in Spain?

Where to study in Spain?

What are some Spanish words to talk about studying abroad?

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad is not only an excellent way to become a Spanish pro. It’s also a fantastic way to open your eyes to realities that were previously unknown to you. You’ll come home with a more open mind and a deeper understanding of what it is to be a citizen of this interconnected world.

How to Study Abroad in Spain

How can I study abroad in Spain? Where to study in Spain? Spanish vocabulary for studying abroad?

Step 1: Decide Where to Go

While Spain’s not that big compared to the United States or Canada, its regions vary enormously in terms of not just geography, but also culture. Let’s take a quick look at the major divisions of where you could go!

Northern Spain: Where the Mountains Meet the Sea

San Vicente de la Barquera Spain at night Are you looking for a green region, with mountains and sea? Check out Galicia, Asturias, Cantabria, or País Vasco(the Basque Country). You can read more about the so-called “Green Spain” in this article. Keep in mind that the climate in the north tends to be more temperate, and it can rain quite a bit.

Northern Spain offers plenty of opportunities for hiking and surfing.

You can learn more about northern Spain with this article!

Central Spain: More than Just Madrid

The center of Spain is flatter and drier than the north. The climate is a bit more drastic: it’s chilly in the winter, and it can get quite hot in the summer! There are some really amazing sites to see across this region. While Madridis arguably the region’s best-known city, it’s worth looking into other places such as Salamanca, Segovia, Burgos, Zaragoza, and Logroño.

The Pirineos(Pyrenees), where you can go skiing or snowboarding, are just a short drive from Zaragoza and Pamplona!

You can learn more about central Spain with these articles!

If you need to brush up on your Spanish before you go, learn about the resources SpanishDictionary.com has for college students in this article.

Cataluña

Cataluña(Catalonia) is home to Barcelona, a vibrant metropolis. The region is quite big, and there are plenty of other amazing spots to live. You can study on the Mediterranean coast in Tarragona, or head inland to Vic. Studying in Cataluña gives you the added advantage of learning catalán(Catalan)!

Learn about Spanish words of Catalan origin in this article!

Whether you’re in Spain for a term or for a whole degree, this article can help you to understand the Spanish educational system!

Southern Spain

Alhambra and Sierra Nevada

Southern Spain is also a great choice for a study abroad experience! Keep in mind that it tends to be quite hot in the summer. In the southern region, you’ll find flamencoand the Alhambra. There’s loads to see and experience in southern Spain, in addition to the warm waters of the popular Mediterranean coast.

You can learn more about sites in southern Spain in this article

Spain’s a foodie’s paradise, and there’s no better representation of its cuisine than tapas, Spain’s cocina en miniatura(miniature cuisine). In this article you'll be able to find out about tapas and tapear(have some tapas)!

The Islands

Don’t forget Spain’s islands! The Islas Baleares(Balearic Islands) are in the Mediterranean and the Islas Canarias(Canary Islands) are off the coast of northern Africa. Both are popular tourist destinations and have a lot to offer.

Read more about special spots on Spain’s islands in this article!

Step 2: Pack Your Bags

Once you’ve been accepted, you can start making a list of things to pack. There is no need to go overboard, as you can easily find personal care items at local supermarkets and stores.

Step 3: Your First Day

The first day in Spain can be daunting. Remember that you can always ask your host family or university for help! Asking for help when necessary can enrich the experience—be it help with the language, academics, or help with navigating the culture.

¡Mucha suerte! (Best of luck!)

Spanish Words to Talk About Studying Abroad in Spain

The following words and phrases will help you brush up on your Spanish academic vocabulary:

SpanishEnglishNotes
aprobarto pass
alquilarto rent
la asignaturasubject
el, la auxiliarassistant
la becascholarship, grant
el becario, la becariascholarship student, grant holder
el catedrático, la catedráticaprofessor
la convocatoria extraordinariaretake exam periodIn Spain, the convocatoria extraordinaria allows students who missed or failed their finals another chance to pass.
la convocatoria ordinariacommon exam period
el créditocredit
el doctoradodoctorate
entregarto turn in
la facultaddepartment
la familia de acogidahost family
la fecha límitedeadline
el gradodegree
el horarioschedule, timetable
la licenciaturadegree
la maestríamaster’s degreeUsed in Latin America
el mástermáster’s degree
la materiasubject
la matrículaenrollment, tuition
el pisoapartment
el plazodeadline
el postgradopostgraduate degree
el profesor, la profesoraprofessor, teacher
reprobarto failUsed in Latin America
la residenciadorm
el semestresemester
suspenderto failUsed in Spain
titulartenured, permanent

Are you looking for an interactive vocabulary list to study? Check out our list of college and university vocabulary!

No matter where you study in Spain, you'll certainly have the opportunity to learn a lot. It'll be a great chance to acquire better Spanish skills, and a greater understanding of this world. ¡Buen viaje! (Bon voyage!)

Want to learn more about how to study abroad in Spain? Check out these articles!