Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

Name: Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain
Brand: ISA by WorldStrides
SKU: 15787
Rating: 4.78 (18 reviews)

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4.78 Rating

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Location

Spain
- Salamanca

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Arts Business Communications Cultural Studies Economics Education European Studies Health Sciences History International Business Liberal Arts Linguistics Literature Marketing Middle Eastern Studies Social Sciences Women's Studies +7

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans, LGBTQIA+ funding, BIPOC funding

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Host Family

Language

English

Pricing

Starting Price

500

Last Updated: Jun 19, 2024

Last Reviewed: Sep 18, 2024

Wish List

15 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad with ISA by WorldStrides in Salamanca, Spain, at the University of Salamanca. This is the first program we ever offered, back in 1987, and it has retained a great reception through today. Salamanca is a great place to study in Europe, with a relatively close proximity to a major city (Madrid) and a retained cultural atmosphere relatively untouched by outside western influence. The city is small enough to navigate by foot, allowing you to gain an intimate understanding of the local landscape and culture!

Known to offer some of the best and purest Spanish language and culture courses in the world, the University of Salamanca is a great place to reach the next level in your Spanish proficiency. Sign up with us today to travel to this beautiful city, and have the trip of a lifetime!

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

BIPOC Support

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations. Our country-specific diversity pages offer information about the societies and cultural history of our destinations. This information can be used to start your reflection about how your intersecting identities relate to the host community context.

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LGBTQIA+ Support

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Neurodivergent Support

ISA by WorldStrides is devoted to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of neurodivergence. Our Health & Safety team is available to answer questions about insurance and medication, as well as provide students with materials on overseas access to support.

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Accessibility Support

We are dedicated to facilitating quality programming to students with varying levels of accessibility. With our wide portfolio of program types and locations we’re confident there is a suitable and accessible program for each student. Accommodations abroad can be complex and take time, so those with accessibility needs should inform ISA of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process. Please contact accessibilityteam@studiesabroad.com with questions or for more information.

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Impact 🌎

Sustainability

We have partnered with Fill it Forward to engage team members and program participants in waste reduction practices. The goal is to encourage the elimination of single-use waste. Every QR code scan shows the impact of reusable bottles and unlocks a donation to environmental impact groups.

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Ethical Impact

ISA by WorldStrides, a global organization, is committed to educate and serve communities worldwide. Our commitment is fueled by the passion of our team members and partners to make experiential learning accessible, while also being socially, environmentally, and ethically responsible. Together, we accomplish this by investing in initiatives to promote inclusion, diversity, and sustainability.

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Program Highlights

Salamanca is a city that has the perfect combination of art, history, and modern atmosphere, perfect for students.
The Universidad de Salamanca is renowned for its language and translation studies.
ISA students can take courses in English and Spanish with other international students or with local students in regular degree programs at the university.
It is the oldest active university in Spain and the third oldest in Europe.
Spain has the third largest number of UNESCO sites in the world and is known for its culinary art, architecture, and beautiful beaches.

Popular Programs

Universidad de Salamanca

The Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain. It is world-renowned for its specialization in the teaching of the Spanish language, making it ideal for study abroad students. The university buildings are spread amidst the golden sandstone cathedrals and cobblestone streets of Salamanca--a quaint, walkable, college town

Program Reviews

4.78 Rating

based on 18 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 77.78%
4 rating 22.22%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.25
Support 4.9
Fun 4.55
Housing 4.75
Safety 4.9

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, History Buffs

Showing 9 - 16 of 18 reviews

I originally signed up to do a program in Spain with one of my college friends. She backed out a few months before we were supposed to go. I thought about backing out too, but decided to just go through with it. I was nervous, to say the least. I didn't know anyone and my Spanish wasn't that great. Thanks to ISA, I had the experience of a lifetime.

The ISA program put me in positions to meet other people. I made friends that I still talk to today. They helped me review areas of Spanish that were weak so I could keep up with my classes. More importantly, they helped my build the confidence to enjoy living in another country.

What would you improve about this program?

Finding my group at the airport (on the first day) was difficult. I went to the bathroom before finding the group and almost missed the bus. Some kind of check in or instruction would have been helpful.

Salamanca is a very under-rated city in Spain and should seriously be considered more often by prospective students.
ISA staff was ALWAYS available for us, no matter the situation and they are all just so down to earth, friendly, warm and welcoming people.
Salamanca was by far my favorite city in Europe. Not only is it absolutely beautiful, but it is also rich in history and culture. Walking into the Plaza Mayor for the first time was breath-taking, and each time I passed through, I could help but admire its beauty. The classes were very interesting, the professors were amazing, and the location of the city was very strategic. It was only a (2hr) bus ride away from the Madrid airport. My host parents were very accommodating and loved to cook for me and my roommate, yet were very understanding when we made other dinner plans with friends. I definitely recommend staying in a home stay in order to be fully immersed in the culture, and especially if learning spanish is a main goal of yours!

What would you improve about this program?

My only complaint about Salamanca was that we didn't have an airport, so it made traveling a little bit of a longer trip because we had to take a bus/train into Madrid before going anywhere. Although this was my only down side, I would still study abroad there again if I had the chance just because I loved living in this small, quaint city.

I loved studying abroad in Salamanca because it gave me a perfect immersion into Spanish culture with the college-town feel. My professors really fostered cultural learning and awareness, but were also in tune with international students wanting to experience the culture hands-on and outside the classroom as well. The ISA staff was beyond helpful with anything and everything, while my living situation in a residencia helped me make friends from all around Spain and develop in my speaking skills!

one of the things that made this trip so wonderful was the helpful staff of ISA. They were very friendly and willing to help you with whatever you needed, homework, finding a good restaurant, or finding places to travel they were there. They also organized a lot of events (mostly free) that we were able to participate in. The events ranged from going to see a movie, or see a flamenco show, or play soccer in the park. If there was different staff then I think the trip would not have been as fun. They made the culture shock less shocking and helped us get the most out of our excursions and our trip in general.

What would you improve about this program?

My living situation. The host family was not the best and my roommate and I were complete opposites.

I enjoyed my time over there. I payed attention and got good grades, but i could have worked harder. The program is organized and there were no kinks. I enjoyed my homestay as well. Would do again if I had the chance.

I chose a summer program lasting 6 weeks focusing on intensive Spanish language comprehension. It was my first time abroad but I was so ready. I studied at the University of Salamanca (la Universidad de Salamanca).

Even going into the country knowing only about 50% of the language, being with ISA and with my fellow students made me feel SO at ease and relaxed I sometimes forgot I was there to go to school! Everything from the food, the fiestas, the nightlife, the parties, the landscapes, the architecture, the history, the people, the dancing, the laughter, the music - EVERYTHING - was absolutely intoxicating.

We began our journey in Madrid where I first met my classmates. Together, we bonded as early as Day 1 and to this day I am elated to be able to call those people my lifelong friends. From Madrid we traveled to Toledo, San Lorenzo, and finally arrived in Salamanca a week after arriving in Spain. What I loved most about the overall organization of excursions, was that we were all getting to know each other and becoming friends BEFORE the stress of school started, it made us all much closer before we even got to Salamanca - it was beautiful to be able to "click" with a group of strangers who are all bound together for the same purpose and goals.

After a few weeks in Salamanca, we traveled around the country visiting Segovia, Santander, Santilliana del Mar and Castillos. I even went to Lisbon, Portugal through one of the organized optional trips ISA effortlessly helps set up for you! You simply walk into their office, tell them where you wanna go, and by the time you leave you've got the most concrete and solid travel plan better than any Travel Agent could provide for you!

I cannot speak more highly about my time in Spain. ISA helped me from my first to last day, and every step along the way. The ISA Spain advisers (as well as the Austin, TX correspondences back home) helped me explore not only the world around me - but myself as well. I owe my future career plans to ISA, because they helped my discover my inner wanderlust, and I am just getting started!

What would you improve about this program?

A more in depth look at host families living situations. I myself has a roommate issue and was moved within my first weekend in Spain. BUT, it has nothing to do with my Spanish host mother. But I do know of some of my classmates who felt a little bettered and beaten down (verbally) by the unintentional abrasive, outward attitude of the Spaniards.

Bottom line, there are some families that should not be taking students in if they are too easily overwhelmed. However, I myself can say both famlilies I stayed with her flawless!

The customer support and all registration was incredibly easy. Everything was streamlined, communication was excellent for any questions. Various means to accomplish any of the tasks asked.

The staff at ISA Salamanca are incredibly helpful and always devoted to their students. Every question that they answer is with a smile, and it's positive that they enjoy their jobs very well. Salamanca is a stellar city to study abroad since it's basically a college town (where you will meet people from all over the world), and it's big enough to not get bored easily. You will find a lot of things to do and the historical charm of the city (like having classes next to the cathedral or seeing a 14th century monastery on your way to class every day) will surely add to that experience.

I think that this program is definitely worth it for those who are beginning to learn Spanish and those that are taking college courses with Spaniards in various fields.

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you decide to study abroad with ISA in Salamanca, Spain?

Will: I was at a friend's house talking about our upcoming college classes and our mutual distaste in be required to take a foreign language. I was looking through the course catalog online when I stumbled onto a link to study abroad. Ohio State has a program where you can go to Mexico for a quarter and count it as 3/4s of the language requirement...you only had to take the first class. I suggested this to my friend as a quick way to get out of the class as well as get to travel. She liked the idea, but suggested that we go to Spain instead...if you're going to travel, why not travel somewhere far away, right?

So, I started looking at options for studying abroad in Spain. During that time, I also took two Spanish classes and was surprised to find that I really enjoyed learning another language. My friend and I had a good year to plan, so we looked at different options. After the end of the first quarter, she decided that she didn't want to study abroad...but I was set on the idea. Ohio State didn't have any programs that went to Spain, but it looked like there was a loose partnership with ISA...so I signed up.

(Unrelated, I later found out that I would not be getting credits for the classes I was taking and ended up having to take the remaining Spanish classes when I returned, thus delaying my graduation. This was an issue with Ohio State, not with ISA).

What made studying abroad a unique and special experience?

Will: My family is not known as being adventurous. My father's first plane ride and first glimpse of the ocean didn't happen until after he was 50; everyone tends to be happier close to home. I've always been different in that I like seeing the world. In fact, trying explain why I wanted to go to Spain was nearly impossible - my parents just didn't get it.

For me, this trip was big. I had never been anywhere by myself for that length of time before. After my friend backed out, I was going to Salamanca without knowing anyone. I later found out that there were people from my college on this trip, but not people I had ever met before. Not only would I be studying Spanish at one of the oldest universities in Europe, I would be living in a completely different culture. It was both exciting and scary.

The program was special because it forced me out of my comfort zone and made me grow. I ended up testing into a higher level that I would have though....and thus had to work hard to keep up. I remember being extremely frustrated because of the initial demands of class, but rising to the challenge made me not only a stronger Spanish speaker, but a stronger person in general.

Doing this program gave me a strong confidence and also served as a home base for other travels through the summer. While ISA had several weekend excursions for us, there was also time to do some exploring on my own. I was able to do a trip to Morocco, Portugal, and even ran with the bulls in Pamplona. After the program ended, I took advantage of my location to backpack Europe...something I doubt I would have ever been able to do on my own.

I made friends in Salamanca from all over the world. I mostly ran around with a girl from Greece and one from France, and I made rather good friends with a guy from Korea. With that, I made friends with people over the U.S....some of who I still talk to once in a while today.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Will: Currently, I work for a company called Rustic Pathways. We do community service, language, and adventure programs for high school students (similar to study abroad in some aspects) - I work in Costa Rica for about half of the year organizing and running these programs. Had it not been for my travel experiences in Europe and my familiarity with Spanish (even thought Costa Rica pretty much speaks a different kind of Spanish), I would have never gotten this position. Now, I get to not only encourage students to see the world, but I get to continue seeing the world myself.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory was going to Greece for my fall break during my 3rd and final study abroad experience! I fell in love with the people, the food, the beaches and even the stray cats! It was definitely the vacation of a lifetime!

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

The most underrated destination in my opinion is by far Belgium! It is the capital of Europe. Brussels, the capital, is also a French-speaking city. It was a great alternative to being in France. The French is easier to understand and the people were more willing to help you with your French. Brussels is a great mix of the French language and German culture!

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I have learned a lot about the field of International Education while working for International Studies Abroad. There is a lot that goes into helping students fulfill their dreams of studying abroad. It is not just booking trips and picking classes, there are a lot of details to see to.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

One of the things I love about International Studies Abroad is how we are there to support students before, during and after their study abroad experience. I was a student who went through ISA and truly valued all the support I was given before departing for my program, during my stay in Belgium, and after my program. They helped me articulate my experiences of studying abroad on my resume and in my cover letters. It was a quality I found very useful!

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

As a student, I choose to study abroad through ISA. While I did not know what would come of my experience when I first arrived home, It opened the door for my current career. Upon returning from Belgium, I became a Global Ambassador on my university's campus. I really fell in love with the field of International Education. I decided that it fit well with my personality and that I wanted to pursue a job in that field upon graduation.

My campus representative from ISA knew of this wish and notified me when a spot had opened up with ISA in their Austin office! I am forever grateful to her and the company for making all of this happen for me. Without studying abroad, I would not be where I am today!

About ISA by WorldStrides

As a leader in international education for over thirty years, International Studies Abroad (ISA) by WorldStrides is dedicated to providing university and college level students the opportunity to discover, learn, and enjoy a way of life other than their own. We offer a diverse portfolio of education abroad programs across Africa, Asia, Europe...