Location
  • Spain
    • Salamanca
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Maymester, Short Term, Spring, Summer, Winter
Subject Areas
Art History Arts Biology Business Cultural Studies Economics European Studies Film Finance Health Sciences Hispanic Studies History International Business Linguistics Literature Marketing Medicine Political Science Sociology +9
General grants/scholarships, BIPOC funding
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
High School Diploma Bachelors
Housing
Apartment Dormitory Host Family

Pricing

Price Details
AIFS Abroad is a premier provider of study abroad programs. Program fees cover tuition and housing. Coordinated AIFS Abroad Flight Packages with major airlines are also available.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Classes Some Meals Travel Insurance
What's Included (Extra)

Round trip flights, airport transfers and 2-night London stopover included for students on the optional AIFS Abroad Flight Package.

Feb 16, 2024
Feb 16, 2024
7 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Spend a January, summer, semester or academic year in Salamanca with AIFS Abroad. Earn up to 18 credits studying at the University of Salamanca. Courses are taught in English or Spanish, with no previous Spanish language study required for most programs. Live in a homestay with three meals per day or, for an additional fee, select a student apartment with a meal allowance.

Choose from the following academic programs:
• Spanish and International Studies
• International Business Studies
• Medical and Health Program (fall only)
• Spanish Language and Culture Program (fall only)
• Optional Early Start Intensive Spanish Language and Culture Preparation Program (3 credits)

You’ll enjoy cultural and social activities such as:
• Guided city walks
• Museum visits
• 3-day trip to Lisbon, Portugal
• Day trips to Segovia and the Toro and Zamora Wine Region of Spain.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

BIPOC Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

LGBTQIA+ Support

At AIFS Abroad, we want to support all participants in their study/internship abroad journey, inclusive of gender, race, religion, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation. Everyone has a complex identity, and faith, spirituality, and religion are important factors when deciding on a program location.

Accessibility Support

Everyone’s experience is unique. We recognize the location you choose can have an impact on your sense of belonging. We encourage you to use the information below as you review your options to select the program and location that will be the best choice for you. If you do not hold the identities that are amplified here, this information is still a great resource for you as well. It will give you a better understanding of those who have this identity.

Impact

Sustainability

In response to the overwhelming global climate crisis, AIFS Abroad is pleased to make Sustainability a key priority when considering organizational, operational, and programming decisions. We understand that the only way to effectively combat this crisis and mitigate the effects of climate change is to drastically reduce our environmental impact. Therefore, AIFS Abroad has committed to reaching carbon neutrality by the year 2025. AIFS Abroad is proud to announce we have signed the CANIE Accord, becoming the first US provider to make this commitment.

Program Highlights

  • Earn up to 18 credits and transcript issued by the University of Salamanca
  • Internship and volunteer opportunities available
  • Excursions & Day Trips Day trip to Segovia, a wine tasting day trip to Toro – an important wine region in Zamora, and a 3-day excursion to Oporto, Portugal (Fall only) or Lisbon, Portugal (Spring only)
  • Onsite Program Director To help with any questions or advice you may need throughout the program
  • Health & Safety 24/7 emergency support and comprehensive insurance

Popular Programs

AIFS Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

Study with AIFS Abroad at the world-renowned University of Salamanca, the third oldest university in Europe and known as the “Oxford of the Spanish-speaking world” due to its reputation for academic excellence. It is recognized as the best university in Spain for the teaching of Spanish as a second language. Earn 3 credits studying Spanish language at one of 4 levels.

AIFS Abroad Salamanca, Spain

Spend your summer in the picturesque city of Salamanca with AIFS Abroad! You’ll earn up to 11 credits studying at the University of Salamanca.
Spanish Language and Culture Program
This program is for students wishing to combine intensive Spanish language classes with study of the Spanish culture. Spanish is available at all levels from beginner to superior. Course level is determined by an online placement test given before arrival in Salamanca.

Scholarships

AIFS Logo

AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships, Grants & Financial Support

We believe a study abroad experience is an essential component of well-rounded university education and we are committed to providing financial assistance to as many students as possible in support of their goal to study abroad. AIFS also offers internship and study abroad + internship blended programs to support the development of personal and professional skills.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.96 Rating
based on 28 reviews
  • 5 rating 96.43%
  • 4 rating 3.57%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.55
  • Support 4.8
  • Fun 4.85
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.8
Showing 1 - 8 of 28 reviews
Default avatar
Gabriel-James
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AIFS Salamanca: My Favorite Semester of College

My semester in Salamanca was one of the best times of my life. It was a peaceful and fun time that created life-long memories and friends.

My international business classes were interesting, my professors were great, the city is beautiful, its people are very friendly, the food was delicious, and the night-life was fun. I still miss walking around that city to this.

Overall, I recommend a semester with AIFS Salamanca to anyone at all interested in experiencing Spanish culture in a beautiful walkable city or looking to learn international business in a foreign country.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
In short, be "simpatico". Experience the city. Do not feel restricted to your residence. The best of Salamanca comes from its historic and beautiful streets and architecture, its fun college nightlife, and its friendly people. None of these can be truly experienced without going-out, walking around, and embracing the Spanish culture.
Pros
  • Fun night-life scene
  • Made life-long friends
  • Learned about International Business with great professors
Cons
  • Slow support response time
  • Delay in receiving semester transcript
3 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Samantha
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Absolutely loved this program!

I absolutely loved my experience with AIFS abroad! In Salamanca, Spain, we were fully immersed in Spanish culture through flamenco classes, cooking classes, museum tours, and neighborhood walks. I stayed with a host mom through this program, which allowed me to learn/ practice more Spanish and have 3 home-cooked meals a day. I took 2 classes at the University of Salamanca through this program and I felt very supported by my professors and AIFS staff throughout the whole program. We took excursions to Porto, Portugal, and to La Alberca, Spain, which were both such fun trips!!

Pros
  • Beautiful city
  • Everything was walking distance
  • Activities through AIFS program
29 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Matea
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best Experience of my Life!

My semester in Salamanca, Spain was one that I will never forget. I learned so much about myself while getting to see so much of the world. AIFS was amazing and so helpful with helping me prepare to go abroad, getting abroad, while I was abroad, and even after my return home. I never felt like I was alone, even though I took on this journey completely by myself. The program was set up to where there were many activities that allowed everyone to meet and get to know each other, activities that showed us around our new home, and even excursions that allowed us to travel in a safe and informative way. This program gave me some of my best friends that i am so thankful for finding and I owe all of that to AIFS for allowing this to happen.
My homestay experience was second to none and was the best decision I made for myself. I was placed in a home of a single woman who quickly became a true second mom to me. She was very outgoing, warm, kind, and extremely helpful. My house abroad felt like my home in the U.S. and I always felt comfortable and calm. This was especially important during the beginning weeks when everything was so new and foreign to me. Our house was centrally located and in a very safe area. I was able to walk to the city center in less than five minutes and the location was incredible. I still keep in contact with my host mom and look forward to getting to see her again.
The classes provided were great and set up in a way that allowed us to still have free time on weekends as long as you stayed busy and focused in class. The professors were very educated and challenged us everyday to speak as much Spanish as possible to help us learn. They saw so much potential in all their students and encouraged us to see that same potential in ourselves.
Overall, this program was all around such a great experience and made going abroad such an easy process. I recommend this program and location to all students. It changed my life and I will always have a home in Salamanca and with the AIFS staff.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My biggest advice I can give to anyone going on this program is to say yes to every adventure and to keep a journal! Salamanca has so much to offer for all people and it is a place where you can never run out of things to do or places to see. Salamanca has an amazing atmosphere and the locals are very welcoming, so there is no reason to not try new things! Also I recommend keeping a journal and writing about every single day that you have there because one day you will want to look back on your experience and remember every single thing you did, where you ate, what you saw, etc.
90 people found this review helpful.
Jordan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Salamanca Study Abroad

I knew that studying abroad was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I wanted to make sure that my trip to Spain was a smooth transition there and that when I returned back to my campus in the spring I was still on track to graduate. AIFS did that and so much. I loved that I could play an active role in choosing courses that I was interested in. I was also thrilled that AIFS prepared me mentally with resources that made me feel at ease (packing list, SIM card options, etc.) While I was abroad, I had an experience like none other. Gaye and Julia treated me like family and when I needed them they were always there to make sure I had what I needed even on days when I was super super homesick. They let us have our freedom and experience around us but were still there to provide support. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my time in Spain and how much this trip changed and impacted me. It is definitely the highlight of not just my college matriculation but my life. The professors were outstanding, the city was beautiful and rich with culture and history. On days that I was homesick one of my greatest memories was going to get frozen yogurt and just sitting outside in the plaza or roam around the city to explore an area I hadn't been. The apartment I stayed in was literally steps away from the plaza and I enjoyed having the option to cook for myself because I am very finicky about food. Of course nothing was perfect, but even on bad days, I wouldn't have traded this opportunity for anything. As an African-American studying abroad was a priority for me. I wanted to travel and engage with a different culture and see what the world was like for myself. I wrote several blogs about my time in Salamanca (head over to AIFS

92 people found this review helpful.
Joseline
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

AIFs Changed My Life.

My experience abroad completely changed my life. Many, if not all, students who have had the chance of studying away from the United States will say the same thing, but I truly feel like my experience was unique. From the moment I arrived in Salamanca, the AIFs staff made it their personal mission to make me the happiest gal in the world. Not only was I provided with a trip to London to kick off my semester abroad, but I was placed in a loving home stay with a host Mom who truly became my mom. AIFs choice of host families went above and beyond what I expected as my host mom made it her mission to include me and my roommate within Spanish culture as best as possible. In addition, AIFs made sure I recieved the best of Spanish experiences by organizing excursions throughout Spain and giving me the opportunity to take classes in an actual Spanish classroom. When my professors heard I was an aspiring journalist, they went out of their way to get me in contact with local journalists. I tagged along to protests and was able to live a very unique and important moment in Spain’s history, the Catalonia cry for independence. AIFs provided me with trips, memories, and the opportunity to really understand and decide whether this field was what I wanted and I could not recommend this program enough. It changed my life, it could potentially change yours.

83 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kaitlyn
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

I wouldn't trade my experiences in Salamanca for anything

My experiences with AIFS in Salamanca were amazing and unforgettable. Before I left, I received advising every step of the way from the adviser for Spain. When I got to Spain the on site AIFS staff showed everyone in our program around Salamanca, took us to dinner, engaged us in cultural activities, and introduced us to our host families. After the first two weeks I knew that I would miss Spain more than anything because of the incredible experiences that AIFS provided to me. I was practiced Spanish all the time, I took cooking classes, I went on excursions throughout Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, and I engaged in all of my classes. I wish that I would have stayed for a full year rather than only a semester.

What would you improve about this program?
The only think I would say could be improved would be the communication provided to students about the program before leaving. I thought I would be thrown to the wolves and asked to fend for myself, but there was somebody helping me every step of the way.
100 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lisa
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Incredible Experience!

My semester in Salamanca was hands down the best semester I've had in college! AIFS was very supportive throughout the entire application process. They answered all my questions via email right away and with very detailed answers to my questions. Also, the AIFS staff in Salamanca always welcomed us into their office. I would go after my classes to ask questions or just to chat. AIFS also provided great host families. My experience was phenomenal and I truly believe I gained a second family in Spain. We still keep in touch and I look forward to visiting them next time I'm in Spain. Salamanca is known as a university city and therefore, I was able to meet a lot of both Spanish and international students around my age. I always felt safe in the city, even at night.

96 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mollie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Salamanca J-Term - Incredible!

I loved my study abroad experience in Salamanca! The staff was awesome, the city was the perfect size, and there was so much history to take in. There was even time to take a side trip to Barcelona the first weekend! I got so close with my program pals in such a short time because of all the fun activities AIFS had planned for us (cooking/dance classes, tapas visits, city tours). From the very beginning we knew that we wanted to live up every moment we had there since it was such a short trip. Although really two weeks ended up feeling like a whole semester. The classes themselves were awesome. Our professors were so great, and so helpful with our Spanish language learning. We got to learn about grammar, art, history, and Spanish culture. Even with 5 hours of class a day, there was so much time to shop, to grab a coffee, to participate in AIFS events, and to travel. And every night we went out we had a blast. This was by far one of the best experiences of my life.

What would you improve about this program?
I wouldn't change anything. Maybe to make it a little longer. But honestly the two weeks felt like a whole semester with all that we got to do, that was awesome.
75 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi Michelle, I was in the program 8 years ago so please check with the AIFS staff in Salamanca. At that time, spring break was not covered so we all planned ahead. Some opted out for staying with their host families, all you had to do is check with them and pay an additional fee directly to them. Others went home for the 2 weeks, but as for me, I did some backpacking with friends thru Europe, it...