Location
  • Spain
    • Alicante
Term
Academic Year, Fall, J-Term, Spring, Summer
Subject Areas
Anthropology Cultural Studies European Studies Food Science and Nutrition Gender Studies History Linguistics Women's Studies
Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships
Health & Safety

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Housing
Apartment Host Family
Language
English
Oct 04, 2023
Feb 15, 2024
44 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Study abroad at the University of Alicante in Spain! Coursework concentrates on Spanish, European and Women's/Gender Studies, as well as many options to help students improve their Spanish language skills.

Alicante is a beautiful Spanish city located right on the Mediterranean. Its consistent temperatures and sandy beaches make it a prime destination for students interested in relaxing outdoors and on the coast.

Video and Photos

Diversity & Inclusion

LGBTQIA+ Support

There are LGBTQIA+ friends, colleagues, and allies throughout the world. However, cultural understanding of gender identity and sexuality does vary from country to country. USAC has compiled a lot of resources to help you through that learning process.

Accessibility Support

USAC is dedicated to working closely with students with disabilities to ensure the best study abroad experience possible. You may request reasonable accommodations after your initial application is complete. We routinely receive requests for scheduling, material, and environmental accommodations for the classroom setting, which may include assistive technology, scribes and readers, printed material, and interpretation.

Impact

Sustainability

Environmentally-conscious students choose USAC because many of our programs are held in some of the most sustainable countries in the world. There are options to take coursework in sustainability and the environment, as well as field trips and studies where students can leave a lasting impact on their host country.

Program Highlights

  • Study at one of the most beautiful campuses in Spain with gorgeous landscaping, modern architecture, and a modern sports center, indoor swimming pool, and other facilities
  • Immerse yourself in Spanish culture with volunteering opportunities, internships, direct enrollment at the university, workshops, conversation partner program, and excursions
  • Enjoy sunny weather and lovely beaches by the Mediterranean Sea with many opportunities for outdoor activities like hiking, rowing, sailing, and windsurfing
  • Join in local celebrations, open air markets, and the lively atmosphere of the Mediterranean lifestyle

Scholarships

USAC logo

USAC Scholarships and Financial Aid

USAC awards over $2 million in scholarships and discounts each year to assist students with their study abroad expenses.

Value
$500 - $5,000

Program Reviews

4.99 Rating
based on 82 reviews
  • 5 rating 98.78%
  • 4 rating 1.22%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Academics 4.2
  • Support 4.95
  • Fun 4.95
  • Housing 4.9
  • Safety 4.95
Showing 17 - 24 of 82 reviews
Default avatar
Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Cultural Immersion

Studying in Alicante was the best choice I've made for my college career. I loved the city environment, especially coming from a university in a more rural area, it was a much welcome change. I thought that Alicante was the perfect city to study in; it still had the urban feel, but wasn't too large and overwhelming and everything was walkable from my apartment, except for the university which I was able to take the tram or bus to. My program director Luis did a great job of showing us the area and he explained many aspects of local culture that I wouldn't have otherwise known. Everyone in Alicante was extremely welcoming and encouraged me to practice my Spanish speaking skills, which I feel greatly improved during my time there. I couldn't recommend studying in Alicante more for an authentic, local Spanish experience.

Pros
  • Beach access
  • Clean, inexpensive housing
  • Great professors
42 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Ariana
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Best Summer Ever

Studying abroad in Alicante was one of the best choices I have ever made. At first, I was a little worried about going abroad alone but I'm glad that I did because I made lifelong friends and learned so many new things about the culture in Spain. I studied intermediate Spanish at the University of Alicante for one month over the summer and the staff there were always so helpful and passionate about what they were teaching. Learning the language in Spain never felt like a hassle as the teacher always kept the students engaged and was always interested in the topics that she was teaching. I felt like this trip had a very good balance between the educational part and the exploring the city and the life part.

Pros
  • Delicious Food
  • Fun Night Life
  • Education
Cons
  • No Air Conditioning
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Paulina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Genuine experience

Before leaving to study abroad, I was experiencing burnout. What I mean by this was that I began losing motivation for school and activities and stopped paying attention to my mental health. It got to a point where I felt tired all day and was no longer myself. I contacted counseling services when I knew this wasn't getting any better. I was nervous that I would experience these emotions while abroad, so I worked with my counselor to create goals for myself in hopes of not allowing my current state to get in the way. Some of my goals consisted of being comfortable with uncomfortable, trying new foods, being open-minded, and not allowing financial reasons to get in the way of what I hoped to do. Luckily studying abroad was an experience that positively changed my life—studying abroad allowed me the opportunity to be stress-free. Every day I woke up ready to experience the unexpected. Experiencing the unexpected has had a significant impact during my experience, and even today. I was finally opening up to trying different foods I knew I would not be open to back at home. For instance, I was not too fond of burgers and refused to try them back at home, although, while in Alicante, I was surrounded by burger restaurants and people who loved burgers. Therefore, I decided to have my first burger in Spain, and since then, I have come to terms that burgers are not as bad as I thought they would be! I was also able to make friends with students of the university. It was a great experience being able to learn their perspective of their country while I was also able to teach them my perspective of my life in the states. Having met them was very helpful. For example, I previously did not know anything about bullfighting and debated whether to attend the event. With their feedback, I decided not to participate because I realized it would be a traumatic experience for me. I also got out of my comfort zone to meet other students from Italy and Japan who were temporarily studying at the same university. We were able to exchange numbers, and we hope to see each other again in the future! Before this trip, I knew swimming was not my forte because I didn't know enough to swim deeper than 5ft. Within the program, we took multiple trips to the ocean, although the specific trip that stood out was where I went on a catamaran. I was hesitant about whether I should get in the water since I didn't know whether I could swim. I had supportive friends who all encouraged me to get in, and if anything, they would help me get back on the boat. IT TURNS OUT THAT I CAN SWIM, and the best part is that I found out I could swim while in Spain! This was an amazing experience I will never forget. I felt butterflies in my stomach when I realized I could swim, and I still feel the same excitement today. I was finally pushing myself to participate in activities I had always hoped to do. I have always wanted to read books for fun and journal. I bought a journal and book before I left abroad, not knowing whether I would actually use them. I met girls from USAC who loved to read and journal. Participating in these conversations with these girls helped motivate me to begin my book. I finished my first book in Spain, and since returning home, I have already completed two other books and plan on continuing to journal. As you can see, I have accomplished multiple goals that I could write a whole book. Words cannot explain how thankful I am for this experience because I feel the happiest I have ever been.

Pros
  • Beautiful
  • Safe
  • Walking distances
Cons
  • Long flight
  • The food was alright
  • No other cons
39 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mitchell
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

BEST YEAR EVER

My time in Alicante was the best year of my college experience. Studying abroad gave me the confidence, friends, and world experience that I needed to transition successfully from school into the workforce. The staff at USAC in Alicante were my family away from home, and even convinced a few members of my group, myself included, to stay for a second semester. I often find myself happily reminiscing on my time in Spain, and wish more than anything that I could relive that year! Take the chance to study in Alicante with USAC, you will NOT regret it.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
Going to the bunkers located in the city from the Spanish Civil war. Great for history buffs and explorers alike.
67 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Lasondra
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Perfect Experience

I had so much fun, learned so much about the culture, and got to experience much more than I anticipated for the limited time that I was there. I would like to focus on the care though: I have health issues. (Epilepsy being the main one.) I had a seizure that led to hospitalization. My beloved coordinator, Luis, made sure I was safe and taken care of. Everyone I met genuinely cared for me and made me feel safe and wanted. I wasn’t limited because of my illness. I got to explore the city, the castle, the beach, and other countries regardless. This was also made possible by the wonderful friends I made while abroad. I would move back to Alicante permanently given the opportunity.

What was your funniest moment?
During cooking class, I dropped a Spanish omelet! I was so embarrassed, but everyone else thought it was funny and the chef made me feel better.
67 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Tommy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Legendary

This program would not be what it is without the incredible support staff Luis, Sylvan, and Veronica. They are easily accessible and always hold your best interests. They set up paid tutoring opportunities or teaching assistant opportunities at local schools. Sylvan sets up soccer games and you can play with locals. You live in very nice apartments close to the beach and other USAC students. The airport is very good so flights for traveling are cheap. The beach is beautiful, the bars are fun (parabarap), and people are very friendly. Also, Benidorm is just a short tram ride away.

87 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kirsten
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing experience with unforgettable memories!

Traveling abroad in Alicante, Spain was an amazing experience that enabled me to learn more about Spanish culture, music, food, language, history, etc. With excursions to Madrid, the Valley of the Fallen, Valencia and Tabarca Islands, I was able to acquire a great knowledge and understanding of Spain and all it had to offer. Additionally, I gained so much personal growth and memories during my trip. I will never forget the people and the fun we shared together in Spain. I would greatly recommend this program for anyone looking for exquisite cuisine, scenic beaches, lively festivals, rich culture and the experience of a lifetime!

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
We went cliff jumping and rock climbing in what appeared to be the middle of nowhere. It was wild!
83 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The best program ever!!

The staff at Alicante goes above and beyond in every aspect possible. They provide authentic opportunities to learn more about the Spanish culture, through classes and extracurricular activities. Staff members knew exactly how to support the change of coming from the US to Europe and were always there for us in times of sickness or unease. They plan lots of activities to meet other people in the program and local college aged students as well. The field trips to Granada and Morocco were so well organized and we all felt so safe the whole time. They organize meetings with locals in order to really get a feel for the culture and you see what the way of life is in various places. I loved my time with USAC as I made incredible friends and memories and would recommend this program to anyone going abroad!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice for anyone going abroad would be to go in with an open mind and jump at every opportunity you have. You are going to learn SO MUCH about different cultures, ways of life and Europe’s rich history. Go into this experience ready to learn and take in as much as you can. I also recommend going to all events as this is where you will meet some really cool people and make tons of special memories.
80 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers

Hi Jorja, No, knowing Spanish is not required to study abroad on this program, or any of our programs. You can choose to take Spanish language courses which would be taught in Spanish, all other courses are taught in English. Thank you!

Hi Mackenzie, thank you for your question and I apologize for the delayed response. Yes, during the summer session the Elementary Spanish class will most likely be five days a week!

Hi Allison, Most track 1 students can expect to be in class 5 days a week, but it will depend on where you are studying abroad. You will get your class schedule during orientation. Thank you!

We have some pictures on our website below. Thank you! -Sara