Spain: Alicante - Spanish Language, Linguistics, European, and Gender Studies

I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain for the summer of 2023, and went for sessions one and two. Being in Spain was an amazing life experience. I love that I finally have gone to Europe, and see the different ways that people live there than the people that live in the US. It was eye opening to see the cultural differences in Europe and get used to their culture. There are so many different festivities that they do in Spain, and it was so much fun learning about their festivals. If you are doing session one or two, I recommend going for session one. There are a lot more festivals that happen in June, and the weather is less hot in June than in July. There is the Hogueras, and then there is a full week of fireworks on the beach. There are multiple parades and events full of Spain’s special foods. The streets are always full of people, and you can walk everywhere. For example, you can walk to the store, to the beach, and to restaurants. They also have multiple availability of public transportation. You can take a taxi, the bus, or even the subway, by using the transportation card that you are given within the program. The subway can take you to many other cities that are near Alicante. For instance, it can take you to Altea, Benidorm, El Campello, Costa Blanca, La Villa Joiosa, La Isleta, Sangueta and many more. The subway also takes you to their university, which is a gorgeous, huge campus. They have a library, computer lab, a nice café, etc... Some of the lifestyle that is different in Spain is that you have to pay for water in restaurants. Whenever the servers ask if you want bread before bringing out dinner, you also have to pay for that bread. It is also not usual to give the servers tips. Usually, people bring their own bags when grocery shopping, and if you don’t bring one, then you have to pay a few cents for each bag you get. Their breakfast is usually very light, and their dinners are very late, usually around 11:00 is their dinner time. A fun class that I recommend is that you join sailing. You will be out in the ocean about 3-4 times a week and the instructor will teach you how to put up and down the sail. The instructor is cool and will show you how to change the direction of the boat, let you sail the boat on your own, and let you jump in the ocean, which he calls a “bath”. The water can be unpredictable so every day it is different, but the instructor tells stories that are funny and makes sailing entertaining. Alicante is a safe, and wonderful place to be, and it will forever be my second home!!

The study abroad program in Alicante with USAC is the best program a student could ask for! The first thing you will notice is how amazing and supportive the staff are at this university! Our resident directors were there for anything we needed. They were extremely supportive, helpful, and kind. The professors are also top-tier at this university. They were understanding of our levels and were able to meet us where we were, while also pushing us academically so that we would improve in our skills. I also believe that the courses offered had a good variety and something to cater to every student! Life in Alicante is also amazing! You get to live right on the Mediterranean Sea right in the heart of the city. There are so many fun things to do for students, like museums, cultural sights, amazing restaurants, going to the beach, and so much more! You are surrounded by the culture and the language in this city. Not only will your language skills improve, but you will learn so much about this beautiful country. You could not get a better study abroad program than this!

This experience was one of the best experiences I have had in my life and being months removed from the program, I still find myself reflecting on the memories. I went in without knowing one person and came out with very good friends from my roommates to the others on the trip. The faculty at the University it self were great and everyone involved with USAC and the process here at home and there, physically in Alicante were friendly and informative. It has inspired me to travel more in the future and learning how to live on my own, experiencing the beach, playing soccer with the locals, and going from historical sight to historical sight and shop to shop/restaurant to restaurant was one to never forget!

Prior to entering the program in Alicante, Spain, I had no desire to study abroad. I am a homebody through and through...my university is 10 minutes from my hometown and I go home to visit my mom and sister every weekend. Studying abroad was required for my major, meaning I needed to choose a program if I wanted to graduate on time. My Spanish professor recommended the Alicante program, and I just went with it. I was so nervous to move away from home and start my life in Alicante, but looking back on things, I wish I could have told myself that it would be okay! Since moving to Alicante, my Spanish knowledge and conversational skills have improved more than I could have ever imagined. I have met some of the greatest friends from all around the world. I have made memories that will last a lifetime. The staff within the Alicante program has been extremely helpful with fostering all of these amazing experiences. The growth I have experienced within this program was unexpected to say the least, but I am so glad I had this opportunity!

I had the best time of my life coming to Alicante, Spain! Even in just the first week of my program, I was able to make so many new friends on the excursions that USAC provided their students. I stayed with a host family, which allowed me to immerse myself more in the culture of Spain while also learning more about the Spanish language. They were very accommodating and kind people, and I felt right at home as soon as I arrived. The classes I took challenged me in the language but also taught me a lot about different perspectives. I learned a lot about Spanish grammar, literature, and history in a way that I would never be able to learn about at my home university. Additionally, the staff at the USAC office at my host university was very kind, and never hesitated to answer any questions that I had. I always felt supported while studying at the university. Overall, studying abroad with USAC gave me the opportunity to learn more about myself and the world around me in a way that allowed me to feel supported. I believe that I became more mature, courageous, and respectful of the world around me because of my time abroad.

I had an amazing study abroad experience in Alicante, Spain. USAC made the process easy, from applying, to arriving in Spain, to departure back home. All along the journey, I felt supported by my program. My courses at the university were interesting and engaging. They were challenging but didn’t consume all of my time. After class and on weekends, there were fun and immerse activities in the community. I had time on the breaks to travel elsewhere in Europe, which was amazing. I hope every student takes the initiative to study abroad!

I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain during the Spring 2023 semester and it was an unbelievable experience. I made so many great friends and met amazing people during my time abroad. The directors at USAC Alicante, as well as the professors enhanced my experience in so many ways. Luís, Verónica, and Marta all took the time and effort to make every student comfortable in what can be a very nerve-wracking, but of course exciting, transition. My friends and I traveled to many different countries while in Spain, such as Morocco, London, Budapest, Italy, and Germany. We also went to the island of Ibiza and other places in Spain frequently. I also was able to volunteer through the Service Learning course that they offer and work with children and faculty in the community. It was truly an experience that changed my life and I will always be grateful for this opportunity.

Studying abroad in Spain had been a dream of mine since my first Spanish class, eight years ago. The experience was everything I could have wanted and more. I distinctly remember the day I left for my flight to Madrid—all alone!— my brain was overflowing with every emotion from sheer terror to overwhelming excitement. Now, I smile and laugh thinking about that version of me because she truly did not know all of the adventures, memories, laughs, good food, cultural experiences, festivals (Hogueras) and friends that became family that were awaiting her!

Alicante has so much to offer: good food, amazing beaches, vivacious night life, and authentic cultural immersion. A typical week day in Alicante consisted of morning Spanish classes at the beautiful Universidad de Alicante, daily "comida" with my host family (all in Spanish!), sailing class on the Mediterranean, sunset at Playa San Juan or Postiguet, followed by nightly tapas and hangouts with friends. Every day was filled with a new adventure whether that was learning new Spanish phrases or vocabulary as we sailed along the coast of Alicante, trying a new 'comida tipica" de Alicante, or simply spending time with my host family.

My time in Alicante will forever be one of my favorite seasons of life! If you are on the fence---just say yes!!