Program Reviews

The Teach and Learn Program at University de Alcalá was such a wonderful experience for me, both personally and professionally. The program is committed to academic rigors, displays strong support towards its students, and provides the opportunity to explore and live abroad in Spain. I am an American educator who came into the program with 10 years of classroom experience and found the Masters in Teaching invaluable towards my professional development and skill set. I have and would strongly recommend this program to any current educators seeking a masters who also desire to study, work and travel abroad. Fantastic experience and yes, I would do it again!

Alcalá de Henares is such a wonderful Spanish city. There is so much history and literature and life to experience there. I always felt safe, and I never felt like there wasn't something fun to do around the next corner. Try tinto de verano and patatas bravas in the Plaza de Cervantes, you will not regret it. Get a café con leche and visit the Universidad de Alcalá where classes about Don Quijote mesmerize students like me from around the world. I highly recommend you give this dreamy place a visit!

I really enjoyed my time studying abroad this summer. Being able to see many cities in Spain while studying Spanish in Alcala was a very memorable experience and I had loads of fun. Not only did my Spanish improve tremendously but I was also able to have an incredible time, meet lots of new people, and see new parts of Spain that I had previously never visited. Also the material that we learned in the classroom added a layer of depth to the entire experience as many of the things we learned were directly applicable to the experiences we were having.

Alcalá de Henares is a quaint, leisurely city with a family-friendly ambience. It is best for those who want to get away from the fast-paced environment of a big city, although it is only an hour train ride away from the lively downtown of Madrid. My study abroad program was amazing because of the beautiful city and because all of the program staff were welcoming, and had some great recommendations for places to visit! I stayed for a month and think it was a good amount of time to appreciate what the city had to offer. Visit if you have the chance!

This is an amazing program that has opened up many opportunities for me! Not only do you get to spend a year in Spain - one of the greatest countries on the planet - you also get to meet an incredible and diverse group of people. It is an opportunity to get a master’s degree for free (or for relatively inexpensive), as well as to get invaluable teaching experience to add to your resume. I have recommended this program to many people as it has led me to a job in International Education here in Canada, and it is also where I met some of my best lifelong friends.

I did this program after I finished my UG in 2017. I had already a love for Spain and education. When I found out this with this program I could continue my study in education and actually teach while being in Spain I was very happy. The location of the school is honestly the heart of Spain there is so much history and that happens in Alcala and every corner is so beautiful. The professors are so kind and helpful. Even after being done with the program I still stay in contact with my professors (helps me practice my Spanish too!). I am now done and I am back in the Sates (NYC) I was able to find a teaching job. They loved that I studied and taught in Spain. It definitely made my resume stand out.

The Teach and Learn in Spain program granted me the freedom to travel, practice Spanish, and earn a Master's Degree in my desired field of study for an extremely low cost and high reward. This degree gave me the ability to teach Spanish at a notable private school in upstate New York. It has also taken me to China where I teach bilingual STEM and Science courses each summer. Most recently, it was my academic achievements at UAH that transferred to NYU where I will be continuing my studies in Speech-Langauge Pathology this coming semester.

Although UAH handed us some, admittedly annoying, challenges, such as working out communication and travel flaws between the university and our school placements and finding accommodation, I wouldn't trade it for the world- in hind-sight. Also, be advised that the diploma and transcripts do take several months to receive!
I give this program an overall 9/10 because the faculty are some of the most enjoyable, helpful, and understanding people you will meet. Your fellow classmates will become life-long friends. It is guaranteed that your experience living, working, and teaching in Spain will be at the top of your most rewarding career choices you will make.

Studying abroad can seem extremely daunting at first glance. I had so many questions and concerns leading up to the trip. However, I am so happy that I picked this program. The location is absolutely beautiful. There is so much to see just within walking distance! I had the best host mom who made my house mate and I feel right at home. The faculty were incredibly supportive and kind! The classes I took were so engaging and fun. I left with way more confidence in speaking the language as well. I could not believe with how much more Spanish I picked up in just a month!

I loved being able to study abroad in Spain. The city is the perfect place which is close enough to Madrid to enjoy the city but also has plenty to do just a short walk away in the plaza. I had great support while studying abroad from the staff to my host family. The culture of schools in Spain is very different from the US and they have great programs for teaching bilingualism successfully. I was able to bring back many new ideas to my work in the US. It is a great experience for anyone who is open to learning about a new culture.

The Instituto was phenomenal with my semester abroad. All classes were taught in Spanish, and I lived with a host family. These two aspects were wonderful for my cultural immersion and growth in Spanish. I am truly appreciative of the staff who I have grown close with over the semester. They were always helpful, attentive, and supportive of me. One unique part about this program are the excursion, which I wish I had taken more advantage of. They went to Toledo, Segovia, La Valle de los Caidos, and more. With this program I not only made friends from around Spain, but also around the US. I also grown close to the professors and staff and got to know them outside of the classroom, like at futbol games and cooking classes. Without a doubt, living with a host family was one of my biggest stresses, but I have grown so close to them over the semester, and my understanding of the Spanish culture, language, and literature was truly enriched. Yes, having classes all in Spanish was a challenge, but that helped me so much with presenting, writing, and speaking in Spanish. All of these aspects helped me achieve my semester goals abroad, and it's an experience I will never forget.