Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

Study Abroad in Salamanca, Spain

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

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Degree Level
Bachelors
Housing
Host Family
Language
English

Pricing

Starting Price
500
Aug 25, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
15 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Live and study in the gorgeous medieval city of Salamanca – small enough to navigate on foot, giving you an intimate understanding of the local landscape and culture.

Salamanca is known for being one of the top locations in the world to learn the Spanish language. It’s home to the oldest university in Spain and was our first program site, where the first group of students studied abroad in 1987. As you explore, you'll find yourself amidst the glowing sandstone buildings that have earned Salamanca the nickname “La Ciudad Dorada,” The Golden City.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers strong academic support, helpful staff, and immersive cultural experiences in a vibrant, walkable city.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion 💙

Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Community and Impact Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations.
Our team is committed to providing exceptional support through identity-focused advising and resources for students, university partners, and staff. We have developed our Community and Impact Committee to help serve all students and stakeholders, particularly the needs of underrepresented student populations.
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.
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 WorldStrides of any accommodations requests as early as possible in the advising process.

Impact 🌎

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.
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.

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.
  • 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

Salamanca, Spain

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

4.80 Rating
based on 20 reviews
  • 5 rating 80%
  • 4 rating 20%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.3
  • Support 4.9
  • Fun 4.6
  • Housing 4.75
  • Safety 4.9
Showing 9 - 16 of 20 reviews
Paige
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Best four months of my life

Salamanca is a small, unique, historic, lively, young city, perfect for students looking for a richly cultured experience abroad. Salamanca is so gorgeous and historic, yet it has such a large student population that it is incredibly young and vibrant, especially at night! The food, atmosphere, nightlife, and even daytime activities kept me busy and entertained all day everyday. I made some very dear friends in my program, and made friends with locals! The people of Salamanca-especially students--are just as eager to meet new people and make friends as you are. Unlike the larger cities of Spain, Salamanca is very small and walkable and CHEAP!!! This made coming back from traveling to bustling, more expensive cities so comforting because life in Salamanca is more relaxed. I can count on one hand how many times I used a taxi and/or public transportation there. My professors were all wonderful. They were passionate about the subjects they taught and engaged in our learning process. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this city and this program. I miss it everyday and will definitely return to the Golden City.

What would you improve about this program?
Because drinking is so instilled in the culture of Spain, I wish when we went on excursions with ISA we were permitted to drink. I understand that something must have happened in the past to make this rule happen but it would have been nice to mix that social aspect with our excursions and program leaders, whom I really enjoyed.
260 people found this review helpful.
Jada
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best experience I've ever had

This was my first time studying abroad. I was beyond nervous, but this was the best experience of my life. ISA had so many opportunities and activities that kept us busy but we still had the opportunity to hangout and explore with our friends. The staff was beyond exceptional, and supported me with all my fears and complications. My first problem was missing luggage and the staff called the airport and had my luggage sent to my hotel room. I had the best time. I have no complaints at all. There were many opportunities after ISA.

What would you improve about this program?
I had so much fun with my program I can't even think of anything I would change.
245 people found this review helpful.
Will
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Que Tal - the new way to say What's Up?

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.
239 people found this review helpful.
Raquel
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Salamanca, my favorite european city

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.
227 people found this review helpful.
Anna
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing semester

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!

245 people found this review helpful.
Danielle
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Salamanca

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.
219 people found this review helpful.
Dan
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Not bad

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.

225 people found this review helpful.
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

CHOOSE SALAMANCA AND BE AMAZED

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!
122 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers