I have really enjoyed my time in Alicante especially living with a host family! They are very nice and have been amazing with Spanish practice. The first two months of intensive Spanish courses were really helpful and I learned a lot during them. The courses for second half of the semester are nice however I wish they were a bit more divided by Spanish level. The classes don’t feel challenging on a language level. I also wish the program was a little more strict with the Spanish only policy. Other than that I’ve loved my time here and the program!

Alicante is such a beautiful city. It is perfect for study abroad experience. With the beach, the food, and the weather and people, it is such a fun experience. All of the friends I have met here has introduced me to a whole new section of the world. Not to mention all the travel opportunities that are available from the Alicante airport. I was able to travel to almost every destination I could have wished for. And the weather is starting to get absolutely perfect. The beach of San Juan is unmissable. Also I’ve had a great opportunity to fishing from Cabo de las Huertas here. So pretty

I had an amazing experience in Alicante; my host family was so welcoming and kind, and they were a large part of my experience. Not only did I make amazing friends here, I am so incredibly grateful for my advancement in the language that came with being in a smaller place, my host family, and my classes. The location was a big part of my experience as well. The incredible architecture, the mountains over the skyline, and being a quick walk from the beach all were such amazing aspects to have as a part the city I was living in for so long (but went by so fast). In the end, I am very grateful I chose Alicante as my place to study!

For anyone who is looking for the opportunity to grow as a person in a supportive environment, this is the program for you. The directors are kind and available to answer any questions. All of the people I’ve met are unique and friendly. Alicante itself is a hidden gem! I love the proximity to the Mediterranean sea combined with the feel of city life. The locals are kind and welcoming. Academically, the intensive courses have helped my Spanish skills to grow a lot. I couldn’t recommend SSA more.

I love this program so much, my Spanish improved greatly and Pepa and Marisa are super helpful. The structure of the program is such that it begins with lots of support and programming and gradually by the beginning of your third month there you are totally independent (though of course the staff is always there to help if you need it). I loved the combination of independence and group activities. Classes at the university of Alicante are easy. I stayed in a student residence which accommodated all of my allergies fully which gave me a lot of confidence. I met great people. Alicante is a great little city with plenty to do and an airport that is surprisingly well connected to the rest of Europe. I can’t recommend this program enough!

I was nervous before coming to Alicante because it was the first time flying and going to a different country by myself but I have no regrets. I had a great time here. I've had a lot of fun with my host family and have had such an immense personal growth while abroad. There was a Language exchange program as well where we were able to learn about the culture here from Spanish students. We also did a lot of activities like making Arroz Alicantino, a rice dish typical of Alicante and explored how Christmas is like here. I 100% recommend coming here.

I loved this experience with Spanish Studies Abroad. The program directors help make the experience individualized and community based. Also Alicante has its own airport which connects you to the rest of Europe for traveling. I also loved that we were able to attend a Spanish University with Spaniards. Spanish Studies Abroad provides you with numerous opportunities to connect with locals and experience the Spanish way of life. Their commitment to speaking Spanish only helps you develop your language skills and immerse yourself. I would recommend Spanish Studies Abroad- Alicante to beach goers, Spanish enthusiasts, world travelers, and students of all kinds. In Alicante, Spain your days will be spent at the beach and hiking the castle. Also if you’re looking to travel Europe this is a great place for you.

I studied abroad in Alicante, Spain in May 2019. I went with Spanish Studies Abroad, took classes Monday-Friday at the University of Alicante and stayed with a host family. My first big takeaway from this experience was the language. My goal is to attend medical school after graduation from Marian. I have a Spanish minor in the hopes that I will be able to communicate with future patients in their first language to make them feel more comfortable and open. There is an ever-growing population of Spanish-speakers in the United States and I feel it is very important to attempt to bridge that language gap in whatever ways I can. I believe that my time in Spain has given me some of the necessary skills to achieve this goal. I have become more proficient in my Spanish conversation skills and have learned many words and phrases that will help me in the future.
My second takeaway from studying abroad is how vast the world is and how much there is to explore. My study abroad experience opened my eyes to a different culture and created an excitement to learn about cultures other than my own. I learned about the Spanish culture first hand and being fully immersed opened my eyes to the things I take for granted in my own life. I feel like I learned so much within the 4 weeks that I was in Spain, but I know that I did not get a chance to experience a fraction of the full Spanish culture! I am now even more excited to travel to new countries in the future.
I would absolutely recommend studying abroad to all students! No matter what your major or career goal is, studying abroad is an amazing experience to receive course credits and to immerse yourself into different cultures. There is always something else to learn about other countries through studying abroad. It is an unforgettable and life changing experience and I would recommend staying abroad for as long as you can!