One of the great things about studying Spanish in Spain is the usefulness of learning one of the world’s most important languages while experiencing the country’s culture and lifestyle. A great way to take advantage of your time as a student in Spain is to make weekend or even day trips to nearby sites of cultural and historical significance to enjoy yourself and enrich your cultural experience. Following is a list of weekend trip suggestions near a few of Spain’s most popular study abroad destinations. Keep in mind that domestic …CONTINUE READING

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 …CONTINUE READING

Modern, historical, abstract, Romanesque, contemporary, diverse, Gothic, scientific, popular… Barcelona is a city for anyone and everyone, as Spain’s second largest city Barcelona boasts famous works of art and architecture, along with the sea for beach-lovers, delicious cuisine and the mountains for any type of adventure or leisure activity. The city is layered thick with a fascinating history and just as brilliant present.  Art and cultural spectacles can be seen throughout the multitude of museums and monuments in Barcelona.  It is also possible to see these marvels among Barcelona’s fascinating …CONTINUE READING

Salamanca is one of Spain’s most beautiful cities. A UNESCO World Heritage Center, it stands as one of Europe’s best-preserved Renaissance towns. Its size is perfect; neither too large nor too small, it plays the role of a fresh and vibrant student town perfectly.  The University of Salamanca, the second-oldest university in Europe, is a prestigious institution that for centuries has played a significant role in the Western world. Historical figures such as Hernán Cortés, St. Ignatius of Loyola and Miguel de Cervantes formed their minds within its ancient campus …CONTINUE READING

The most important thing to say about Spain in an article about softening culture shock is that it’s a wonderful country to visit and one shouldn’t expect to run into many problems or be overwhelmed by the difference in culture. Inevitably, however, certain details of Spanish life will vary from the background of students coming to study Spanish in the country, and it’s helpful to point out a few aspects that could prove surprising or disconcerting at first. Shopping and eating out A good thing to keep in mind about …CONTINUE READING