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Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies

Name: Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies
Brand: USAC
SKU: 44106
Rating: 4.88 (52 reviews)

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USAC

4.88 (52 reviews)

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Spain: San Sebastián - Spanish Language, Basque, Psychology, and European Studies

USAC

4.88 · 52 reviews

Community Choice Award Winner

Location

Spain
- San Sebastián

Term

Academic Year, Fall, Spring, Summer

Subject Areas

Accounting Anthropology Cultural Studies Humanities Journalism Literature Philosophy

Need-based funding, Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships

Health & Safety

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Program Details

Program Type

Provider

Degree Level

Bachelors

Housing

Apartment Host Family

Language

English

Last Updated: Sep 25, 2024

Last Reviewed: May 31, 2026

Wish List

13 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

The San Sebastián program opens an academic window on the Spanish and Basque people, introducing you to the rich diversity of Spain and offering a truly multicultural experience. San Sebastián has the highest level of bilingualism of any of the area’s cities: all of its inhabitants speak Spanish, and one third speak Basque as well. In addition to American students, European students also participate in the San Sebastián program.

Read more about our awesome program and sign up for the next available term on the USAC Study Abroad website today!

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COMMUNITY REVIEWS SUMMARY

This program offers immersive Spanish and Basque cultural experiences in a beautiful, safe city with supportive staff and small classes.

AI-generated summary from verified community reviews Read reviews →

Program Highlights

Study Spanish and Basque language and culture while you live it in activities such as hiking, cultural events, and the conversation partner program with local students
Live in a stunning location on Spain’s beautiful northern coast, twenty minutes from the border of France—with easy connections to Madrid, Bilbao, and major European cities
Benefit from San Sebastián’s well-known, cuisine and beautiful beaches. Surf the Basque Country with locals to see why San Sebastián is known as one of the top destinations for surfing in Europe
Join excursions in Spain and the French Basque Country to prehistoric caves, mountains, and traditional fishing villages
Sign up for the optional Madrid Tour/Field Study and earn credit while exploring one of Europe’s most exciting capital cities

Video and Photos

Study abroad with USAC in San Sebastián, Spain

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Program Reviews

4.88 Rating

based on 52 reviews

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Rating Spread Study

5 rating 88.46%
4 rating 11.54%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Academics 4.45
Support 4.75
Fun 4.8
Housing 4.75
Safety 4.85

Good for Students, Solo Travelers, Adventure travelers

Showing 41 - 48 of 52 reviews

I hope that my trip abroad to study in San Sebastian won't be the highlight of my life, for obvious reasons, however I honestly won't be surprised if it was. Before I left, I was actually extremely nervous because of how obnoxiously introverted I used to be. But, I decided to just go for it anyway and that was absolutely the best decision I have made so far in my life. I had such an amazing time and was able to learn tremendous amounts about myself and discovered how much more capable I am than I originally thought.

What would you improve about this program?

I wish I had constructive criticism to give for this program so they could improve, but I honestly did not have one negative experience.

Response from USAC

Hi Graylen! Thanks for taking the time to let us and other readers know about your experience in San Sebastian. We're so glad to hear you had a great time and lived it up to the fullest! Salud!

By USAC Study Abroad on November 7, 2016

One of the highlights of studying abroad in the Basque Country was eating dinner at the cider houses in the hills near San Sebastian. Groups of us took cab rides to the restaurants and were treated to a feast. The main event is the cider room, full of giant barrels of cider (all you can drink, of course). The food was incredible - tortilla de bacalao, bacalao with peppers and onions, and huge flanks of steak. I made sure to go three different times while I was in San Sebastian because it was always so much fun, and a great place to speak Spanish. When my parents came to visit me, they enjoyed it thoroughly and remember it as one of their favorite experiences in their entire trip through Europe.

What would you improve about this program?

There isn't much to say - the only part that I didn't enjoy was the surfing class, and that was only because of terrible weather.

Through USAC, I met the most incredible friends and family. I studied in San Sebastian, Spain for the spring semester. I stayed in an apartment during the semester and was able to set up a nanny/tutoring job over the summer through USAC. The helped me plan everything. I stayed for a month with a family in their home and taught English to their three children. However, this does not describe my experience at all with this family. They brought me into their family like one of their own. I could never show my gratitude towards this family in words. Family dinners, long conversations, games, dancing, laughter. San Sebastian is my second home abroad and I know most students will say the same about the city they studied abroad in. It absorbs you, molds you, takes away your blinders, and shows you the possibilities, the beauty, and the vastness of this life and this world. I will never go back to the person I was before I studied abroad. It has forever changed me into a person I am proud to be.

What would you improve about this program?

I have no suggestions for this program.

San Sebastian is phenomenal. I loved learning about a mix of Spanish and Basque culture. I really enjoyed the TABC program, teaching was one of the highlights of my experience. The staff there is incredible, always looking out for their students making adjustments as needed! I definitely recommend the cuisine course as well as surfing!

What would you improve about this program?

More field trips!

Such amazing staff to help every step of the way! Patricia is so helpful with academics and even travel help.

Great apartments and housing help, roommate matching was really successful.

Such a wonderful city! Best 6 months of my life

I hate to sound cheesy but honestly, it's hard to put into words the amount of love I have for the memories I made through this program.
San Sebastian is the perfect balance of social enetertainment and nature and everywhere you look you're surrounded by beauty. The locals are treasures in themselves, constantly out walking and laughing with each other, not to mention that I never saw one local out in sweats or looking anything other than a well put together Spaniard. The locals can be quite intimadating at first but once you give them the chance you'll see that they're very accepting and caring (unless you ride a bike/board outside of the bike line, don't do that). But that reminds me, there are bike paths and bike racks located almost anywhere around the city, making for easy commutes full of incredible scenery. Even if you don't bike or board, everything is within walking distance and their public transportation is amazing.
If you're honestly considering studying in Spain, without a doubt, San Sebastian should be the clear choice.

What would you improve about this program?

It would be nice to have more group trips. It's really great traveling with just you and your best friends, but it would have been cool to have more set up travel plans with the whole group. It wasn't always easy to get everyone together and the group trips really made that accessible for us.

"Location, location, location." Well in that case, San Sebastian should be on the top of your list. For me it was the easy, 15 min. bike rides to class along the beach, the convince of being able to walk to any bar, restaurant, shop, friend's location, beach, museum, amazing hike, etc. etc., that made this experience so special. During your time abroad, you want to be able to wake up every morning with endless possibilities and explorations, and in San Sebastian all of these things are a bike ride, a quick walk, or an easy bus trip away.
What were some of my favorite places to jump out of bed for? The beach and the food, of course. Pinxtos (small plates) galore! Get ready to indulge in some of the best tasting dishes you have EVER tried, or laid eyes on. All of which are in the heart of old town, where you can walk through quaint alleyways, looking down at cobble stone and up at towering, archaic apartments and the occasional breathtaking cathedral. And all of THIS, within another quick stroll from the most beautiful beach along the Bay of Biscay. Surfing, tanning, swimming, beach volley ball...I promise you that here, the possibilities for an amazing day are not only endless, but they are all easily accessible.

I would considering myself very independent, which is why walking through the city and feeling comfortable turning town any street that caught my eye was very special. But the USAC team was always there just incase I needed an extra opinion, special insight, or information on where to rent the cheapest bike or find the best route to France! Whether or not you think you'll need them, chances are you will, and the staff is ALWAYS there.

Bring clothes for all sorts of weather (I could have packed a few extra light coats). Luckily, you are right on the water, an ocean view from many of the apartments, but that calls for some coastal weather. Get ready to learn about an amazing culture, city, country, and also a ton about yourself, and what you are capable, if you chose to be a part of this one of a kind city.

What would you improve about this program?

I believe that the program could have organized some better or more special local activities or trips for all of the students, and more towards the beginning of our time there.

Loved waking up every morning and going to class with a teacher that is funny, caring, and most importantly patient.

After school I would ride my bike home and pick up groceries from small, inexpensive markets.

People were extremely nice and helpful and I never once encountered a bad person.

Felt very safe walking around at nights or walking around alone in general.

Great bike paths used to get around everywhere in the city.

Beautiful location with many coastal hikes and ruins to discover.

What would you improve about this program?

The only thing that I wish could’ve been better was knowing more ahead of time before leaving for San Sebastian. For example, we didn’t know where we were living and we didn’t know when holidays were and we didn’t have class. The reason I would’ve liked to know these things before is because it is much more reassuring to parents and loved ones when they know where you are living and have the address of your place ahead of time before sending you to a foreign country. Knowing what days we don’t have school from the very beginning would be nice so that way we can plan travel trips ahead of time or parents can know when they can travel out to visit.

Questions & Answers

Language track 3 or 4? How much harder is track 4?

Hi Abby - sorry for the delayed response on this. If you haven't received an answer yet, you are pre-determined for a class level based on your prerequisites and classes you've already taken at home. Some things to note is that if you choose to take a class abroad at a level you've already taken at home, you won't receive credit. Also, track four, while harder since it is a 400 level class only...

By USAC Study Abroad on December 16, 2016

Apartment or Homestay?

I had a homestay in San Sebastian and am glad that I did. I picked up the language more quickly, had an adorable host sister, got lots of local tips, and if I ever go back to the city, I will have friends to visit. However, there were times that I experienced some "fear of missing out." I think this is common with homestay students - I sometimes felt like all my friends were hanging out without me...

By Tara Littlefield on February 18, 2016

Alumni Interviews

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

Why did you choose this program?

I choose USAC San Sebastian because it looked like an established program that has been successful for many years. I also heard a lot of positive things about USAC specifically for being very efficient, and on the less expensive spectrum. As for San Sebastian, it was very easy for me to pick the location because I love smaller cities, and it is right by the water which was something that initially caught my eye. I love going to the beach and swimming in the water. Once I found out they had a surfing class, I knew that San Sebastian was the place I was going to study abroad!

What did your program provider assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The application was all on my own, however USAC was very efficient with letting me know my next steps without making me feel overwhelmed. Once I was accepted into the program, they helped me with deciding which housing would best fit me, (an apartment or homestay) along with all my other questions I had. They were quick to email me back and I felt as if they truly cared for my success! Their website is also very efficient and user friendly!

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What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

Prepare for the best time of your life! But actually, don't pack too much, especially if you plan on traveling afterwards. Try to practice the language of that country as much as you can there because it is the best way to learn. Make the most out of every single day because the moment you leave, you'll wish you did so much more! Lastly, if you have any bit of desire to go abroad, find a way to make it happen! You will grow so much as a person by just experiencing a new culture, and being somewhat on your own.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

An average day would be you wake up in your apartment or homestay and go to school for about 3-4 hours. I took a Spanish class, however, some of my friends took a Psychology class. The professors are amazing! Then, after you are done with school, you have the rest of the day to explore the beautiful city. I would usually go to the beach, or go hiking, or shopping! Then, three days a week, I would have my surfing class and it was the highlight! The instructors were so friendly and really good at teaching! It was so nice to be out in the water and learning to surf in one of the most beautiful places!

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was most afraid of the unknown, and whether or not I would like being so far from home. However, once I got to San Sebastian and met all of the other students in the program all that was left was pure excitement! Not once did I miss home, I only missed my family and wished they could have come out to visit me! Luckily, I was in the same program as my good friend so that made it easier to adjust, but even if I didn't know anyone I still would have had an amazing time!

Should I go abroad? Should I travel on the weekends? Should I do a semester or summer program?

I could go on and on answering questions and convincing people to study abroad. My answer will always be YES! This was the most life-changing experience I have ever had. Not only did it help me become more independent, but it opened my eyes to a new world that I was unaware of. I had the privilege to travel on the weekends in my program but also for a month afterwards to 9 different countries and it was amazing.

I only did a month program but wished I would have done a longer program. I tried to make the most out of the short amount of time but there is more I still wanted to do. Overall, it is based on who you are and what you are trying to get out of your time abroad! I loved going in the summer because I didn't have to miss any time back at my University in California, and it gave me a lot of time to travel afterwards. However, a semester would have been nice because you have more time in your host city but maybe less time to travel far away on the weekends. So, do whatever you need to do to be successful and happy, just make sure you do it! :)

Ginny Allen

2014 Alum

Staff Interviews

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

What is your favorite travel memory?

While traveling from Krakow to Prague, our bus (that I remember to be more of a Winnebago) let us off at a small bus station that looked like a shack. Unsure which country we had arrived at, we grabbed our packs and walked, doing our best to communicate with locals to find where the train station was.

As we navigated through the cobblestone tight, winding streets, pointing and gesturing only to get loud hacks and coughing sounds in return from whatever language we had encountered, we crossed a bridge with a large blue sign: Česká republika. Soon after, we followed the bridge and found the train station.

The most memorable part of that experience that lives with me today is that although we couldn’t point to a map to show our mothers or fathers where we were, ultimately we learned how to trust ourselves, and how to communicate with others who speak a much foreign language to find a resolution to our problem.

No matter where we are in the world—physically or mentally—we can always find confidence from within to survive any situation we arrive into.

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

Each day brings great opportunity to see new challenges and learn how to find resolutions. None of us are experts, and each situation is unique in its own way. Much like I learned through stumbling into the Czech Republic, I’ve learned to first take a deep breath.

Then, tell myself that it is okay not to have an immediate solution, but to find the confidence within myself (and encourage those around me to do the same) to find a resolution.

As in life, there are not guides or policies that dictate the future. We can only learn through experience and develop enough confidence in ourselves to trust instincts, and have the calm and will to push forward whether our judgement leads us in the right direction or not.

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

This past year, I had a student who contacted me with questions about student visas in Spain. I asked if they were planning to study abroad again, but they had told me they got a job there.

Before departure, the student had shown no interest in finding a job abroad or asked about career opportunities, but after studying there, she was convinced that is where she wanted to move and make a life.

I was excited and inspired knowing USAC gave her the opportunity.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose Accra, Ghana because it seems so unique in contrast to Reno, Nevada. Having already traveled and studied in developed and westernized countries, I think it would be extremely thrilling to go somewhere like Accra that I believe boasts a wealth of culture, but is limited to the westernized resources in which I’d been accustomed since birth.

In order to grow as people and improve our lives and this world, we must feel discomfort. Since it seems like such a new world from the one I’m used to, I think my cultural competence would explode!

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

USAC is genuine. We’ve grown greatly from when I first walked in the doors for my first advising session as a student here, but to this day we still feel like a small startup company that is interested in individuality.

As an Advisor, I’m okay with suggesting other locations or programs, because our aim as a company is not simply to grow numbers, especially monetarily. We are focused on providing the greatest, most engaging experience possible for each individual student, just as I was fortunate to have when I made the choice to study in the Basque Country.

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Caring about those you serve. Yes, I earn a pay stub for the work I do at USAC. Yet, I know each project I do - from mundane processing to revamping the way we deliver crucial pre-departure information - is to prepare our students for a cultural experience that could change their lives and shape our world’s future.

As we move forward with a more engaged global population, we must learn to respect each other on an individual level. Understanding and acting on this principle not only will benefit companies and workers, but it will bring unity to all involved with the relationship-building process.

It’s with those we serve who we have most direct contact. When we see this process improving their lives, it does the same for us in return.

About USAC

USAC is a non-profit consortium of U.S. universities that collaborates to offer affordable, academic and authentic study abroad programs. There are abundant opportunities to immerse in the culture, history, and academics of other countries providing an unforgettable experience. Each program is designed to help you grow into an engaged citizen of...