The Andalusian city of Malaga, on the southern tip of Spain just across from Morocco, is one of the best locations in the country for a summer study abroad experience. Its blue skies, sunny beaches and exciting nightlife – all of which can also be found in abundance in Malaga’s surrounding coastal towns – draw thousands of students a year from across the world to this laid-back Mediterranean enclave.
Perhaps the most popular areas in the city for foreign students are the outlying neighborhoods of El Palo and Pedregalejo, once small fishing villages on the edges of Malaga. Today they form a continuous part of the city’s urban sprawl while maintaining their unique and charming character. A large number of language schools are concentrated in these areas, offering tranquility at a stone’s throw from the beach.
The historic center of Malaga is another popular student area. Although Playa Malagueta – the closest beach to the center at a ten-minute walk – is not as attractive as the beaches in the city’s outlying areas, the city center provides proximity to restaurant, shopping and nightlife venues. Its beautiful winding streets are always humming with the graceful activity of a city that knows the art of working to live (as opposed to living to work).
About Malaga University
Malaga University, with a campus dedicated to Spanish studies at ten minutes walking distance from the center, offers well-priced intensive and standard courses that are especially in demand during the summer months. The University’s Spanish language program also brings students into contact with the culture and history of Andalusia – one of the country’s most colorful and varied – through Hispanic studies and visits to some of the region’s most important sites.
Because of the popularity of Malaga as a language study destination, opportunities abound outside of the schools as well for students to meet and interact both among themselves and with locals. There are several student language exchange associations (called clubs de intercambio) that pair up Spaniards and foreign students to help each other practice new languages. These meetings are also excellent opportunities to meet new people.
Other areas of the Costa del Sol
Part of the appeal of Malaga is its proximity to other areas of the Costa del Sol: Nerja, Ronda, Tarifa, Marbella, Torremolinos and many other towns (each offering something unique) provide great locations for weekend trips, enhancing and deepening the overall study abroad experience.
The famous Feria de Málaga
August, though extremely hot, is perhaps the best time to arrange a Spanish course in Malaga. This is when the famous Feria de Malaga takes place, the city’s largest festival that explodes colorfully with flamenco, horses, food, music and drink. The celebration starts with a spectacular fireworks display followed by a midnight MTV concert on the Malagueta beach. Ten days of madness follow, with the center’s streets, squares and bars packed during the day and the massive festival grounds in the outskirts of the city playing host to the action at night.
The culture, the history, the excellent weather and beaches and the many opportunities for relaxation and entertainment make Malaga an ideal summer destination for a language course in Spain. Few students who come to Malaga leave without a soft spot in their heart for this unassuming and yet profoundly enjoyable city.
