Spain

Spanish Language & Culture

Improve your Spanish with formal language training as you explore Madrid and Andalucía’s cultural landmarks and hidden treasures.

  • Art

  • Certificate

  • Language

  • Outdoor Activity

WHY STUDY LANGUAGE IN SPAIN?

Begin your Experiment in Spain’s capital, Madrid, exploring the famous sights, museums, and neighborhoods while trying authentic foods such as paella and pulpo. Take a day trip to Toledo, the “Imperial City,” known for its 2,000+ years of history, before continuing on to the province of Andalucía in southern Spain, where you will dive into intensive Spanish language classes. 

Your Spanish language immersion continues with a stay in an Andalusian town, where you will enjoy home-cooked meals and visit local markets, beaches, and cafés with your friends and host family. Experience Spain’s outdoors with activities in beautiful natural landscapes.

Your group will develop your Spanish language skills through 50+ hours of exposure and practice through formal classes, experiential learning activities, host community interactions, peer-to-peer practice, and more. You will have formal language instruction in the historic city of Granada, attending exclusive small classes divided by level at the Centro de Lenguas y Educación Intercultural. In addition to formal instruction, you will learn through music, film, city scavenger hunts, field trips, and organized activities such as playing sports with local students.

Engaging with local Spanish youth is an integral part of your learning journey, fostering cultural exchange and broadening your perspective on Spanish society. Through shared activities and dialogue, you will not only gain new insights, but also share your thoughts with your Experimenter group and local Spanish students.

Return to Madrid for final reflection and language practice before departing for home. 

At the conclusion of this program, participants will earn a language certificate noting the number of hours of language classes completed. 

LEARN BY DOING

The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Spain, you will learn: 

Technical Skills

  • Spanish language 

Interpersonal Skills

  • Intercultural communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Relationship-building  

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

  • Outdoor activities include hiking and water activities such as swimming. 
  • Temperatures and humidity can be very high in Spain during the summer. 
  • Students will explore urban life on foot (lots of walking!) and learn to navigate the public transit system.
  • During this program, you will stay with a host family during the weekends and at a student dormitory (residencia) during the week.
  • Cities in Spain are increasingly vegetarian/vegan-friendly and gluten-free options are not difficult to find.  
  • Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity vary. 
  • The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.
  • The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders. 

AT A GLANCE

Program Availability

Filling Fast

Program Date

Jul 1 - Jul 30

Prerequisite

Spanish (at least one year)

Program Fee

$7,576.00

(does not include airfare)
Group Airfare Cost

$1,235.00

Departure City

New York, NY

WHAT'S INCLUDED
  • Certificate of completion
  • Lodging
  • Meals
  • All program activities
  • In-country transportation
  • Health insurance
  • Experienced group leaders

Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.

The country itself was almost as beautiful as the people living within it who opened their arms to me without a second thought. I was overwhelmed by the mesmerizing scenery, the fascinating history, and the intricate language that filled every street.

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.

View Itinerary Details

Days 1-3

Orientation in Madrid

  • Learn about the history and culture of Spain through visits to famous sites and museums throughout the city, such as the Palacio Real, Prado Museum, Reina Sofía Museum, Plaza de la Encarnación, and the historic Hapsburgs District.
  • Explore downtown Madrid and its diverse neighborhoods, navigate the metro, and sample Spanish cuisine in local restaurants and markets.
  • Get to know other members of your group during activities and discussions.
  • Practice your Spanish language skills with locals and shop clerks.
  • Picnic and people watch like a local in the serene Retiro Park. 
  • Go on a daylong excursion to the “Imperial City” Toledo, a UNESCO world heritage site, and marvel at its diverse architecture and historic sites and learn about its expansive cultural heritage.   

During the orientation period, you and your group will stay in a centrally-located hostel.

Days 4-27

Host communities and homestay

  • Spend time with Spanish families and communities as you share meals and do activities with your hosts, such as art and a film night.
  • Explore your host community and the surrounding area with your group, such as hiking nature trails, visiting the seaside and nearby beaches, or kayaking at a reservoir.

During this period, you will stay in a dormitory-style student residence during the week and with a homestay family during the weekend.

Intensive Language Training in Granada

  • Attend small-group interactive language classes at the Centro de Lenguas y Educación Intercultural language school for four hours each day.
  • Go on language-based excursions throughout the city with the guidance of your local teachers.
  • Participate in cultural events and attend a flamenco show.
  • Visit the Alhambra, city gardens, and local museums.

During this period, you will stay in a dormitory-style student residence during the week and with a homestay family during the weekend.

Day 28

Program Reflection and Wrap-up in Madrid

  • Enjoy a final day in Madrid, doing some last-minute souvenir shopping and celebrating a final dinner with your group.
  • Reflect with your group on your experiences during the program as you prepare to return home.

During the reflection period, you and your group will stay in a centrally located hotel.

Day 29

Departure

Past Group Leader

The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.

Megan Bloem

Megan received her bachelor’s in Spanish and Sociology with a sub-plan in Law, Justice, and Social Change from the University of Michigan. As an undergraduate student, Megan enjoyed volunteering as an English Conversation Circle facilitator to help international students find community and connect with US culture. She’s also proud to be a first-generation college student and was an active member of First-Gens @ Umich. Megan’s first experience abroad was for a summer internship to teach English at the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal. She then studied abroad for a semester in Granada, Spain, and completed a summer internship in Barcelona. In 2021, she returned to Portugal for a year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the University of Madeira. Upon returning to the US, Megan has enjoyed helping engineering students at the University of Michigan plan and prepare for successful research and study abroad opportunities. Megan is passionate about learning languages, intercultural exchange, and working with students.

Program experts

The Experiment's programs are led by accomplished and experienced faculty and staff who typically live in the country of study. Program leaders are responsible for instructional content, classroom and field experiences, and daily program operations.

Arturo Tapia

Arturo Tapia believes that education is the best way to make the world a healthier place. He is a passionate and energetic educator who values the importance of culture and art.

Arturo holds a master’s degree in cultural tourism management and local development, and a bachelor’s degree in art history. In addition to being a frequent guest speaker for the Faculty of Education at the University of Granada, he has extensive experience as a cultural heritage guide. On the local level, Arturo has developed educational projects for schoolchildren and adults through local organizations and the University of Granada.