Study Abroad in Spain

Semester Programs

YFU also offers a Fall and Spring Semester option to study on exchange in Spain. Students will be enrolled in public schools that follow a Semester system, where they will have a choice of science or humanities subjects.

School

Spanish schools are academically challenging. You’ll find yourself taking courses with students preparing for university education. Exchange students are usually placed in an “Instituto” and will have eight compulsory subjects, four of which are common to all students, while the rest are specific to the learning track you choose. You can choose from five tracks: art, natural science and health, humanities, social studies, or technology. Most schools offer sciences, humanities, and social sciences, while very few have the art and technology path (there are usually special schools for Art or Technology). Most exchange students choose the social sciences track, as it is the most interesting for them and has the greatest variety of subjects. You’ll learn about Spanish history and literature, have the chance to work on language fluency, and maybe even study one of the regional languages (if your host family lives in an area where there is a co-official language)— Basque, Catalan, Galician, or Valencian.

Please note: Students may not be able to receive a transcript or a record of grades. Some schools are able to issue a certificate of attendance. Placement in a particular grade level, credit, or graduation cannot be guaranteed.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation, which usually takes place in mid-July or early to mid-December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Language

Spanish. No previous language study is required.

Short Term/Trimester Programs

YFU also offers a Spring and Fall Trimester option to study on exchange in Spain. Students will be enrolled in public schools that follow a trimester system, where they will have a choice of science or humanities subjects. Students attending the trimester program are likely able to receive final grades from their host schools.

School

Spanish schools are academically challenging. You’ll find yourself taking courses with students who are preparing themselves for university education. Exchange students are usually placed in an “Instituto” and will have eight compulsory subjects, four of which are common to all students, while the rest are specific to the learning track you choose. You can choose from five tracks: art, natural science and health, humanities, social studies, or technology. Most schools offer sciences, humanities, and social sciences, while very few have the art and technology path (there are usually special schools for Art or Technology). Most exchange students choose the social sciences track, as it is the most interesting for them and has the greatest variety of subjects. You’ll learn about Spanish history and literature, have the chance to work on language fluency, and maybe even study one of the regional languages (if your host family lives in an area where there is a co-official language)— Basque, Catalan, Galician, or Valencian.

Please note: Students may not be able to receive a transcript or a record of grades. Some schools are able to issue a certificate of attendance. Placement in a particular grade level, credit, or graduation cannot be guaranteed.

Orientations

All students applying for the year program must be available for a mandatory 3-day National Pre-Departure Orientation*, which usually takes place in mid-July or early-mid December (for Spring programs). This orientation is a required part of the program aimed at preparing students for their experience overseas.

Language

Spanish. No previous language study is required.

Summer Programs

If you want to learn Spanish, there’s no better place than Spain, especially through this long-running YFU program!

This intensive four-week program offers Spanish (Castilian) classes and a full itinerary of activities in Santander, a beautiful seaside beach town in the north of Spain. Stay with a host family while enjoying group activities with other students, including hiking and boating, art and dance classes, city tours, and museum visits. A day trip to Bilbao is also planned, with a visit to its famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. There’s plenty of free time to explore Santander at your own pace, discovering its many lovely gardens and parks, charming old churches, outdoor markets, small shops, and pleasant cafes. On the weekends, you might enjoy beach time with your host family, attend a local festival, play sports, go to the movies, and enjoy delicious dinners late into the night.

In addition to living with a host family, during past summers, students have had the opportunity to discover the riches of history and culture that Spain has to offer on excursions to places like the Magdalena Palace Peninsula, the charming ninth-century village of Santillana del Mar, and an optional bullfight. Participants may also spend their days going to museums, an aquarium, a planetarium, and botanical gardens. In addition, many exciting activities are planned during your stay in Santander, including salsa and merengue dance lessons, an art class, traditional dinners, shopping in the many city markets, and Roman Route hiking.

Beyond the included Spanish classes, participants may choose to add an optional intensive course in soccer, sailing, or cooking, subject to availability, at an additional cost.

Orientations

Summer students will participate in an online, mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation in late May/ early June. This orientation is a required part of the program and prepares students for their experience overseas.

Tenative Itinerary

Subject to change

Day 1: Arrive in Spain and transfer to Santander. Meet your host family.
Days 2-3: Spend the weekend getting to know your host family and the local area.
Day 4: Welcome orientation and afternoon at the beach.
Day 5: Spanish classes and city tour.
Day 6: Visit and tour of local historic sites and afternoon at the beach.
Day 7: Art workshop and afternoon at the beach.
Day 8: Day trip to Bilbao, including Guggenheim Museum and shopping.
Days 9-10: Free weekend with your host family.
Day 11: Spanish classes and optional Spanish dance class in the evening.
Day 12: Spanish classes and afternoon at the beach.
Day 13: Tour the Maritime Museum and Aquarium and attend a special oceanography class. See the opening celebrations of the local summer festival.
Day 14: Spanish class at the local market. Hands-on marine biology workshop and night safari.
Day 15: Day trip hiking on the Roman Route.
Days 16-17: Free weekend with your host family. Go to the local festival and parade.
Day 18: Festival mass and parade followed by a free afternoon with host families. Optional Spanish dance class at night.
Day 19: Spanish classes and afternoon free at the beach.
Day 20: Day trip to the botanical gardens, prehistoric caves, and medieval village.
Day 21: Boating excursion on the bay and pottery workshop.
Day 22: Spanish classes and free afternoon with host families at the beach.
Day 23: Free day with your host family. Check out the local street theater, concerts, and dances.
Day 24: Optional bullfight and flamenco dancing.
Day 25: Farewell ceremony and chocolate con churros tasting.
Day 26: Final free day with your host family, last chance for souvenir shopping and packing. Fireworks and a concert in the evening. Depart for home the next morning.

Language

Spanish. No previous language study is required. Students will have Spanish language classes throughout their summer exchange.