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9 Low Cost Programs for High School Study Abroad in Spain in 2024

Last updated on May 8, 2024

Homecoming and crashing prom after parties are the usual highlights of your school year. However, now you’re ready to put a different spin on academic life—a high school study abroad Spain program! Between your fascination with Spanish culture and desire to become excellente in Spanish, this is an opportunity you’re not going to pass up. 

three men sitting on pillars looking out at ocean  while studying in spain

Studying in Spain is not all beach fun, but it's not NOT all beach fun either.

Worried about the price tag on Spanish foreign exchange programs? Don’t stress. Spain is one of the most affordable European countries to study abroad in. Here’s our guide to budget friendly high school study abroad Spain programs that will keep your pockets and Spanish teacher happy!

9 affordable high school study abroad programs in Spain

Thinking of spending a high school summer abroad in Spain? Or, maybe you’re looking for something longer like a high school semester in Spain. Whatever kinds of Spanish foreign exchange programs you’re considering, they’re guaranteed to be loads of history, cultural immersion, and language skills packed into one affordable study abroad package. Let’s dive into all the exciting and low cost programs out there for high school study abroad Spain programs.

Low cost programs for a high school semester in Spain

Sometimes a summer or short-term high school Spanish language immersion program doesn't give you quite enough time to have your fill of tapas and tongue-twisters. Consider a high school semester in Spain with one of these great and affordable organizations:

greenheart travel

1. Greenheart Travel

Take your heart and fly away for a semester, trimester, or even an entire year in Spain with Greenheart Travel. You’ll be placed at a Spanish public high school on a social studies track while studying other subjects such as history, literature, ethics, and of course Spanish! Two years of Spanish language experience is required to join this program.

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2. ANDEO International Homestay Programs

For a truly cross-cultural experience, sign up for a high school semester in Spain with ANDEO. This program’s focus is on promoting friendship by living with a friendly Spanish family and hanging with local teens your age. You will need at least three years of Spanish lessons under your belt to apply.

  • Location: Cádiz or Seville
  • Rough program cost: ~$12,500
  • More info: Read ANDEO reviews 
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3. CIEE

Explore the ins and outs of Spanish culture with CIEE’s high school semester in Spain program. After your culturally themed orientation, you will be placed at a Spanish private or public high school and live with a local family. Free time will be exciting day trips such as visiting the ancient Celtic city of Salamanca or the Moorish castles of Alhambra.

  • Location: Madrid region or Andalusia
  • Rough program cost: ~$16,000
  • More info

Affordable programs for high school summer abroad in Spain 

Only have a summer to spare for high school study abroad Spain programs? Splurge on these muy caliente study abroad steals!

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4. SPI

How do Spanish royalty sightings sound for a high school summer abroad in Spain experience? With SPI, you will be polishing up your Español in Santander—a popular vacay spot of the Spanish aristocracy! After classes at the local university, you will head out for beach days and cultural outings like festivals, concerts, and even bull fights. Olé

api study abroad

5. Academic Programs International (API)

Even if you’re under 16, you’re not too young to study abroad! API offers a Spanish language and cultural immersion program just for venturesome 14 and 15 year olds. Mornings will be stimulating small-sized Spanish classes while afternoons will be spent exploring Salamanca—a city that dates back to the 1100’s and is known for its international student population!  

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6. Center for Study Abroad (CSA)

Another Salamanca winner, CSA offers super affordable Spanish language study for all levels of Spanish speakers. If you’re looking for a more “college-y” experience, you can bunk in the program’s private residence with 40 other students. Learn Spanish vocab in the mornings and hang around the Plaza Mayor after class, all while earning high school or college credits! 

Cheap summer Spanish immersion programs for high school students

Summa summa summa time! Totally over scooping out leaves from your parent’s murky pool water? Spend June to August diving into these cheapo summer Spanish immersion programs for high school students instead—you'll come back a star student in Señora Porapat's class next fall.

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7. Travel for Teens

Prefer to bop around Spain than study in just one town? Get your globetrott on with Travel for Teen’s 28 day Spain Language Immersion and Discovery program. You’ll have 60 hours of Spanish lessons wedged into a few days exploring each of Spain’s most happening cities. To top it off, there’s even a day trip to France included! 

  • Location: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Alicante
  • Rough program cost: ~$6,800
  • More info
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8. Sol Abroad

Take your Spanish to the next level at one of Spain’s top language schools, the University of Granada. While living with a local host family, you will be surrounded by centuries of Medieval architecture and Moorish history. Your program will be stuffed with exciting weekend trips like visiting the Alhambra Palace or hiking through Sierra Nevada Mountain villages!

  • Location: Granada
  • Rough program cost: ~$3000
  • More info: Read Sol Abroad reviews
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9. Abbey Road Programs

Beach lovers unite! Abbey Road offers the perfect combo of Spanish study and sunbathing hours alongside the gorgeous beaches of Cádiz. Your Spanish fluency will skyrocket while your tummy is fulfilled by all the puntillitas, tortillitas, and tapas prepared by your señoras (homestay mothers). Program perks include pre-departure online Spanish tutoring plus an optional 5-day Madrid extension.

#CostHack: Spanish foreign exchange programs

Wanna know the real trick to saving big bucks on high school study abroad Spain jaunts? It’s applying to Spanish foreign exchange programs! So, why are they so cost-friendly? Partnerships=lower tuition. Some schools and programs have partnerships with Spanish universities. That means the bulk of your study abroad fees will be tuition, cutting out tons of additional costs. Further, off campus means big bargains. Short-term exchanges often arrange homestay housing and don’t require official on campus classes or housing. This also significantly reduces high school study abroad Spain program costs. Check out programs like Nacel Educational Travel if this sounds like the right fit for you.

[Browse ALL High School Study Abroad in Spain programs now!]

Three extra tips to keep your costs down

To recap, yes, Spain is one of the cheapest places to study abroad in Europe. However, as with any travel hotspot, it doesn’t take much to easily blow off your cash. Study smart with these study abroad tips to go soft on your parents’ wallet.

  • Hit up your school counselors. Once you choose programs to apply to, meeting with school advisors should be step numero uno on your application checklist. They will help you find the best low-cost programs. Plus, they will carefully cross reference to make sure that you meet application guidelines and get credit for courses abroad.
  • Go public over private. Just like at home, public schools are the way to go if you’re looking to save money. So, if cost is a big factor, programs that place you at public high schools and institutions are where you’ll find the best deals. 
  • Homestays mean mucho cultural immersion for a bargain. Living with a local family will plunge you deeper into Spanish language and culture than only sticking with other Americans in Spain. So, step outside of your comfort zone and spend your study abroad with a Spanish family to make the most of your experience.

High school study abroad Spain programs = the best bang for your Euros!

student on balcony looking out over Madrid

Whether you opt into the lisp or not, Spanish foreign exchange programs in Spain for teens are the chance of a lifetime.

Studying abroad in Spain gets you cultural immersion, language studies, and adventure travel all at half the price of most other European countries. Simply put—these low-priced programs are well worth the money. Ready to learn the lingo and return home with some muy suave tales of adventure for your family? Start planning your Spanish study abroad excursions today!

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Originally published on May 1, 2018

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