USAC Spain: Alicante - European & Mediterranean Studies

It was the best time of my life. I was able to learn so much not only from the amazing teachers but also from the welcoming community of Alicante. The field trips were also very fun, and ended with the most beautiful views of the ocean and the city. I am forever grateful for this opportunity and genuinely encourage everyone to study abroad at one point in their college career.

Best summer I have ever had the classes were so fun especially the sailing class ! The best part was all of the new friends I made and being able to travel ever weekend with them and explore Europe! I would do it again if I could !

The five weeks that I spent in Alicante were some of the best weeks of my life. The friends I made, the experiences I had, and the things I saw are truly unimaginable. You cannot explain how life changing something like this is until you are there. I was really on the fence about going abroad and I am so incredibly grateful that I made the choice to go. This program is ran wonderfully. I loved my classes, I always felt so supported by our advisors, and we had the most wonderful landlord. If you are even considering going abroad, do it!! I will always have a special place in my heart for Alicante and my time abroad.

Every person was SO helpful and supportive. Luis and Veronica were amazing and so were the professors. They did a fantastic job with the tours and trips, they were always so fun. There was also just enough time that me and my friends I made were able to explore on our own and experience the holidays and festivals Alicante had to offer.

Studying abroad was an experience I had always dreamed of, and I'm so thankful for the winter study abroad program that USAC offers. Time flew by in college, but this was worth the wait. I took Economic and Political Institutions of the European Union at the Universitat d'Alacant in Alicante, Spain. In the mornings, we debated European politics in class. In the evenings and on the weekends, I strolled the beach with views of the Mediterranean, climbed the Castell de Santa Bàrbara, and explored cafes and restaurants with friends — both old and new. I was excited to arrive in Alicante and sad to leave, and I would do it all over again if I could!

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My semester abroad in Alicante, Spain, was an immersion into Spanish culture and the sun-drenched life of the Mediterranean coast. My days were a blend of academic pursuits and afternoon explorations, where I quickly learned to navigate the city by the rhythm of its palm-lined esplanadas and the scent of saltwater in the air. Mornings began with churros and thick hot chocolate, followed by classes that deepened my understanding of Spanish history. The afternoons were for wandering through the narrow, winding streets of the old town, discovering hidden plazas, or relaxing on the expansive sandy beaches that define the city's coastline. I honed my Spanish skills through lively conversations with local shopkeepers.

Living abroad in Spain was very enjoyable for me! I was blessed to have seen so much of Europe in such a short amount of time. I lived with a host family too and it was an enriching experience to really be immersed in Spanish culture. I loved how intimate and small our classes were, I really got to connect with the other students and we had the sweetest time together. I also took a sailing class which was a wild ride! Swimming in the ocean too is quite unforgettable and the friendships and memories I made are ones I hold dear to my heart.

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This was my first time studying abroad and there are no words to describe how amazing this opportunity was. I got to meet so many amazing people and see so many new places. Alicante was the best place I could have ever chosen to live. You get the experience of being among towns people and being around other students. If you have the opportunity, take it, you won’t regret it!

Alicante was the absolute perfect place to go. Not touristy (like Valencia, Barcelona, or Madrid), but still an awesome place to visit/stay with everything you could every want (great restaurants, beaches, shops, activities, etc.). USAC was so helpful the entire time and made the process run so smoothly. Great communication and resources. I even had an incident involving a trip to the emergency room, and our coordinator helped me so much (even though it was a weekend after 5 pm) and the insurance they provided was a smooth process. The length of the trip was perfect (I did summer session 1), and I made so many friends on this trip! This is your sign to go USAC- Alicante!

Going abroad to Alicante was one of the best decisions of my life. I had a great time and I learned so much about Spanish culture and myself. I highly recommend Alicante to anyone who wants to go abroad!

Even though my program only lasted three weeks, I still have deeply fond memories of exploring Plaza de Los Luceros, eating tapas with friends at 100 Montaditos, hiking the mountain trail to el Castillo de Santa Barbara, taking the tram to the UA campus for class, and our group excursions to Guadalest and Valencia. The class we took was very fun and informative, and my classmates and I had a great time working together. The USAC and UA staff were wonderful and supportive throughout the duration of the program. I only wish we could have stayed longer!

I loved the USAC Program Alicante. I was there from January - May 2025. I chose Spain because I wanted the classic European study abroad experience and I chose Spain because I wanted to work on my Spanish. I stayed with a host family that was super kind and made great food and was located close to the city center of Alicante, and about a 20 minute walk to the beach. The classes were very interesting and had good professors but a very manageable amount of homework. It was really nice to not have classes on Fridays. Alicante is a beautiful city on the Mediterranean and as a mid size Spanish city, it has everything you need and more, but isn't too overwhelming. The program director from USAC was very kind, friendly, and helpful. I would highly recommend this program! I would recommend looking up Youtube videos of Alicante to see what the city looks like. It also has a nice airport with a good amount of flights.

My four months in Alicante were truly the best of my life. Living with a host family gave me a deep, personal connection to Spanish culture, and the field trips organized by our program advisor were incredibly fun and well-planned. I learned so much, gained confidence, and grew in ways I never expected. I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for an unforgettable study abroad experience.

The four months that I spent in Alicante were most definitely the most four months of my life. I learned a new language, immersed myself in the culture, and made lifelong friends. I loved getting to experience a new way of living and it wouldn’t have been possible without the amazing USAC team. Both the pre-departure staff and the onsite staff were wonderful and so eager to help and make it an amazing experience.

Studying abroad with USAC in Alicante was truly the best experience of my life. From the moment I arrived, I felt welcomed and supported by the entire USAC staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly and helpful, especially the program director, Luis. He genuinely cares about every student, and it shows in the way he goes out of his way to make sure we’re learning, having fun, and making the most of our time abroad. You can tell the staff love what they do—they create such a positive and caring environment. Almost every weekend, we went on trips and tours of the city or nearby towns, which helped me experience so much of Alicante and its beautiful culture. Whether we were visiting museums, exploring castles, or just walking along the beach, every outing felt meaningful. I was able to see and do so much more than I ever expected. I stayed in an apartment during my time there, and it was so cozy and comfortable—it quickly felt like home. Living in the city made me feel like a real Spanish student. I got to shop at the local markets, walk to class, and immerse myself in everyday life in Alicante. Every day felt like a new adventure, whether I was trying new foods, practicing Spanish with locals, or just enjoying the view of the sea. I also learned so much from my teachers and classes. The professors were passionate, approachable, and made the material interesting and relevant. I felt like I was not only learning about the language but also truly understanding the culture and way of life in Spain. If I could do it all over again, I would go back to Alicante in a heartbeat. It’s an experience I’ll never forget, and I’m so grateful for everything USAC made possible.

This program was amazing and I loved every second. I stayed with a host mom and she was patient and kind to help me learn spanish and she made amazing food. Also the safety in Alicante was spectacular because I could walk home really late at night from the bar, club or with my friends and not be concerned something would happen to me. The weather was amazing and I spent a lot of time doing homework on the beach as well as traveling around Europe since Alicante had a huge airport. The teachers were really supportive and loved teaching and made it easy to learn.

I am really happy that I chose to study abroad in Alicante. The cost of living was very affordable and keeping myself fed was very easy. I lived near the town plaza and the restaurant and entertainment options nearby were incredible. The staff was exceptional and were very helpful no matter what issue you were having. I wish the spanish-only class offerings were a bit more diverse, but overall I had a great experience.

My time studying abroad was absolutely incredible! Alicante was breathtaking, offering a perfect mix of culture, history, and adventure. But what truly made my experience unforgettable was the amazing staff and professors. They were not only brilliant and knowledgeable but also so incredibly kind, supportive, and genuinely invested in my success. Their passion for teaching and dedication to helping students was evident every day. I felt truly supported throughout my entire journey, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group of people to learn from and work with. One of the highlights of the experience was the many group activities we had. These activities not only brought us closer as a group, but they also allowed us to explore Spain in a deeper way. From day trips to scenic towns to big cities, every moment felt like an opportunity to learn and bond. Luis and Veronica made sure we got the most out of every experience, making it all the more special. It was truly an experience of a lifetime!

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Studying Spanish abroad in Alicante was an incredible experience. My host family was incredibly welcoming and the program staff were very helpful. The program incorporates some trips and activities including a historic trip around Alicante and a trip to Valencia. As for the classes, I felt like they actually helped me learn a lot of Spanish, even though I was only there for a month. You take the tram to class every day, which is easy once you do it the first couple of times. I was in 2 classes because I was trying to fulfill requirements for my Spanish minor at my home college, and my classes went from 9:30am-1:45pm. A lot of people were only in 1 class, though (that would be more conducive for exploring). I do want to note that some people in the area speak Valencian, and there are also some street signs, etc. in Valencian. I didn't do my research on that, so I was confused. However, if you know some Spanish, you can usually understand. As for Alicante itself, I enjoyed the beaches (specifically La Playa de San Juan), Castillo e Santa Barbara, Mercado Central (tons of fresh food), the shopping center (Zara, Mango, Bershka), Passeig Esplanada d'Espanya (lots of shopping from local vendors), and El Barrio Santa Cruz (aka Casco-Antiguo Santa-Cruz). If you go in the summer, you also get the chance to attend Festival de Hogueras, which is very cool. I was there for the tail-end of it and I highly recommend trying to go during that time. I can't comment on the nightlife in Alicante, because I didn't really participate. I traveled to Calpe with some friends to go to Los Baños de la Reina. This was the most beautiful part of my trip! You can get to Calpe and other nearby towns on the tram. I found the cuisine in the area to be okay -- my host family's meals were the best thing I had while in Alicante! There's not as much to do in Alicante as there may be in other cities. I was only there for a month and it was great, but I could see myself growing tired of the area after some time. Many people in my program, including myself, chose to travel during our study abroad program in Alicante. Flights from Alicante to several places in Europe are quite cheap. I traveled to Italy and Mallorca, España and my plane tickets for both were less than $100. Others in my group went to Ibiza, Paris, and London. A lot of people travel to Morocco because it's such a short trip from Alicante. There's also a train in central Alicante that goes at least as far as Valencia. But just a heads up, you only really have time to do a weekend trip due to classes (this is true for the 1 month summer program at least). I felt quite safe as a woman when I was in Alicante. I often walked around solo, even at night. I was catcalled on one occasion, but I truly never felt threatened in the city -- and that's coming from a very cautious person. I felt much more unsafe during my weekend trip to Italy. My favorite part of the entire experience was my host family. Several people in my program chose to live in apartments instead of with a family. Although it has it's pros (e.g., you're roommates with other students in the program), living with a host family taught me about the culture, improved my Spanish, and made me feel at home. My host mom packed me snacks for school every day and took me to family events. One con to it was that I felt a little bit isolated from the majority of students living in apartments. Also, my host family's home was not right in the center of the city, as other accommodations were. That meant I had to walk a little further, but it was only a 10-15 minute walk from the center. However, I would make the same decision if I did it all over again. I highly recommend USAC's Alicante program!! I have been dying to go back ever since I left!

I did the summer session 1 program in Alicante and it was an incredible experience that I can not recommend enough. Still a big city, but not NEARLY as touristy as Valencia, Barcelona, or Madrid. USAC was amazing in setting up group activities and helping the whole process run smoothly. I also needed to go to the emergency room at one point and the program director Luís came with me and helped with the insurance process and everything. The teachers were amazing and the friends I made during this program are so special. The housing was also much better than I expected and we even had 2 bathrooms for the four of us. Go to San Juan beach over Alicante beach, eat gelato every day, and have the best time ever!! You won’t regret it!