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

I absolutely loved studying in Alicante with the USAC program. I was so sad to leave. I felt like I was the luckiest person to have such wonderful program directors. They always were helpful and caring and kept us active and doing things we wanted to do. I don't think my experience abroad would have been better if I studied in any other city with a different program.

The teachers in the USAC program are unbeatable, I'd been taking Spanish classes for about 7 years and I learned more in one semester than I had learned in the last 2 years of Spanish classes. So grateful for how caring and enthusiastic the teachers were.
Living with a family is the best way to learn the language- there were quite a few people that lived in apartments and went back to the States without being able to speak very much Spanish.
Take days to explore Alicante, because it is a great town with a lot to offer.
The intercambio (exchange) program is a great opportunity, if you get an intercambio that isn't what you want, change people until you find a person as committed as you are because it can really enhance your experience.
Take advantage of the after school programs like futbol games with other USACers and the weekend trips and excoursions!
It was a wonderful place to live for 5 months! A great home away from home!

This has honestly been the greatest experience of my life, thanks to USAC. Everything about the program was amazing and exceeded my expectations. The staff was absolutely phenomenal and very approachable. They were able to help me with anything I needed. Whether it was figuring out travel plans for the weekend, giving suggestions on places to stay and visit, giving us opportunities to meet with Spanish students, tutoring opportunities, field trips, and lots more. They would drop what they were doing in a heartbeat just to make sure the students needs are met. When a group of students expressed interest in visiting the city of Guadalest, USAC decided to add another fieldtrip to the program so we could visit the city. I really got to know the staff well and appreciated all they did for me. They also take housing very seriously and whether you choose an apartment or host family, they make sure students are placed in great locations and with the best families possible. I loved my host family very much and enjoyed my stay with them. I can honestly say I never felt home sick during my semester abroad due to the hard efforts of USAC to present its students with great opportunities and activities to keep them busy and get the most out of their study abroad experience. Being placed with such a great host family also made me feel at home right away.

I could not leave a better review for this program and location. I had the best year of my life and it was my most valuable experience to date. The program directors were all very professional, helpful, and just incredible people. USAC is a great program and I am blessed to have been able to study abroad with their help. The housing arrangements were spectacular and the classes were challenging, yet extremely fun and useful.

USAC is an AMAZING program that I would recommend to anyone. The staff in Alicante is truly one of a kind. They will literally drop whatever they are doing to help you with even the smallest of question. I learned a ton of Spanish while there. For my level, it was very helpful because we didn't just drill grammar. We were taught survival conversations that I used all of the time. Some of the other, more advanced, levels didn't even learn what we did, and I found myself teaching some of my friends what I was learning. Alicante is a BEAUTIFUL town situated right on the beach. The night life is great. The town is so safe. I obviously do not recommend it, but I walked home by myself several times after a night out and never once felt uncomfortable or unsafe while doing it. The one thing that I didn't like about my experience was my host mother. She never cooked for us, and the food that she heated up for us was not good (at best). I ended up pretty much living on french bread (my waist is not happy right now because of it). However, I think that I just got a bad egg. One of my friends lived in the apartment right below me, and her host family was absolutely incredible. I met some of my best friends through USAC Alicante, and I tell everyone considering to study abroad to do so through USAC.

No matter where you go, studying abroad is going to be an incredible, life-changing experience, but the USAC program in Alicante has to be one of the best.

The on-site staff is one of a kind. They made it really easy to get involved and meet everyone else in the group. Luis, the program director will undoubtedly be one of the greatest people you ever meet. He even gave me the chance to appear on the most popular radio station in Spain! I doubt any other programs would offer an opportunity like that.

I can also tell you that USAC offers the best housing in the city. I met students from other programs that lived on the outskirts of the city, but USAC will put you right in the middle of everything. Trust me, this is where you want to be.

Studying in Alicante was one of the best experiences in my life. The USAC staff were such wonderful, generous, helpful, friendly people. I feel lucky to have been a part of their program and to have studied in such a fun, beautiful, and memorable place. I would highly suggest studying abroad with USAC in Alicante. I miss it very much now, looking back and sorting through photos. Thank you to all who made it an adventure of a lifetime.

I can't say enough wonderful things about my experience in Alicante. I attended the Universidad de Alicante for the Spring 2012 semester and my only regret is not staying longer! Alicante is a beautiful city full of life, with a size that made it realistic to explore thoroughly. I loved being able to walk almost everywhere, as well as having the ability to utilize public transport (bus, tram, and train) throughout the city. It was a great big-city experience with the convenience of a small town! The people were more than friendly, my apartment was huge and beautiful, and I was ten minutes walking distance from everything in town (including the beach!). Also, being on the Mediterranean, the food was incredible.

My classes were engaging and challenging and my Spanish improved tremendously as a result of the accelerated pace of USAC language tracks. I also took some fantastic extracurricular courses (Spanish cuisine, sailing, and rowing) and had an amazing time in all of them! These classes outside of the university are the best way to get a feel for the culture and the local environment.

Another great perk of Alicante is the ease of travel to other cities in Spain and throughout Europe. Plane travel is cheap, fast and easy, and the trains are a great way to see the landscape. There are dozens of small towns near Alicante that are within an hour or so on the tram and are truly hidden jems on the coast. I never got enough of traveling while I was abroad.

All in all, living in Alicante was the greatest experience of my life. I learned more about myself in a semester than I have in all of my 21 years before that, and a huge piece of my heart will always remain in that city. My advice: pack light, travel often, try everything, and never say no to an opportunity! Get immersed: speak the language, try the food (and the wine), visit Tabarca by boat, hit the beach as much as possible and learn the Spanish way to enjoy life! You will be astounded by how much you change.