10 Best Places to Study Abroad in the Spring

Considering a spring study abroad program? You’re in the right place. Earmark this piece as we tackle the 10 best places to study abroad in the spring. 

These locations include:

1. Barcelona
2. Seville
3. Prague
4. Madrid
5. Berlin
6. Rome
7. Cape Town
8. London
9. Paris
10. Amsterdam

Let's dive into more details about each location! 

1. Barcelona

Ahh beautiful Barcelona. This Mediterranean city is famous for its breathtaking views, deliciosa cuisine, lively culture, and incredible Art Nouveau architecture. Studying abroad in Barcelona will be an unforgettable and diverse experience, with opportunities to learn more about long-standing Spanish traditions, like Catalan dances, and an exciting chance to experience the city’s nightlife. And even better? We offer wonderful spring study abroad programs here, too.  

Read More: Your Guide to the Ultimate Barcelona Study Abroad Experience  

Featured Program: Business + Culture  

Our Business + Culture program in Barcelona is perfect for students with a business background and for those who are interested in learning about different cultures. Feast on mouth-watering tapas as you explore some of the most notable sites in the world.

Program details:  

• Length: 15 weeks
• Credit: 14-17 semester hours / 21-25.5 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility  
• Excursion Highlight: Explore Barcelona’s 22@ District, a hub for innovative companies  

Seville  

This lively Spanish city is home to many attractions, including architectural wonders, historical monuments, staple sports testaments, a variety of unique shops, delectable restaurants, and more. A spring study abroad program in Seville guarantees a busy and thrilling adventure, where you’ll dive deep into Spanish culture and improve your Spanish language skills in no time.  

Read More: Ring Ring! Seville is Calling!  

Featured Program: Liberal Arts  

One of our best spring study abroad programs in Seville is our Liberal Arts option, an intercultural journey designed for students intrigued by language skills, history, and the arts. There’s much to explore in the cosmopolitan city of Seville.  

Program details:

• Length: 16 weeks  
• Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Digital and Visual Culture in Contemporary Spain  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit incredible neighborhoods in Seville, including Triana and Santa Cruz

Prague  

The City of a Hundred Spires and the capital of the Czech Republic, Prague has a lot more to offer than its fairytale and spire-heavy architecture (which is unbelievable, by the way); this fascinating city is a spring study abroad dream, steeped in history and boasting a diverse international student scene, affordable dining and nightlife, state-of-the-art universities, lively festivals, and tons more. You’ll have to see it to believe it all.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Prague

Featured Program: Central European Studies

Prague has been at the heart of many infamous events throughout history. With our Central European Studies program, learn more about how the small but mighty Czech Republic has become one of the most prosperous countries in the post-Soviet era and explore the region’s rich history both inside the classroom and out with fascinating cultural excursions.  

Program details:  

• Length: 15 weeks  
• Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Tribal Myths and Traditions of the Czechs  
• Excursion Highlight: Walk the Charles Bridge, first constructed in 1357

Madrid

As the capital of Spain and the country’s political and cultural center, Madrid boasts intriguing museums, out-of-this-world coffee and restaurants, UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful natural landscapes, and stunning monuments and attractions. Exploring Spain’s most populated city will be the adventure of a lifetime.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Madrid  

Featured Program: Open Campus Block  

Offered as a spring study abroad option, build your own study abroad program with our Open Campus Block in magnificent Madrid. Study in the Spanish cultural city for a full term or visit up to two additional locations within the same period. Open Campus Block is a program you can truly make your own. And while you’re in Madrid, discover its energetic and artistic side with visits to world-class museums, parks, shops, and restaurants.  

Program details:

• Length: Six to 18 weeks
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours / 9-10.5 per Block quarter hours
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
• Featured Course: Culture and Cuisine in Spain  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit the medieval city of Toledo  

Berlin  

We consider Berlin, Germany’s capital, one of the best places to study abroad in the spring because of the city’s vast economic impact, unique modern culture and innovations, incredible museums and monuments, and many more attributes. Studying abroad in Berlin will be an experience like no other.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Germany  

Featured Program: Open Campus Block

Choose one, two, or up to three consecutive six-week block sessions and take courses that sound interesting to you and align with your academic path in wonderful Berlin. Plus, with this spring study abroad program, you’ll be in the heart of the Kreuzberg district, an international hub for the arts, music, and digital tech.  

Program details:  

• Length: Six to 18 weeks
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours / 9-10.5 per Block quarter hours
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
• Featured Course: Beer – The Business of Brewing  
• Excursion Highlight: Check out famous landmarks like Checkpoint Charlie, the Jewish Museum Berlin, the Reichstag building, and the historic Mitte district

Rome

What isn’t there to say about Rome? This globally renowned capital city is saturated with thousands of years of art, history, monuments, and architecture. Not to mention, Rome is at the heart of contemporary Italian culture, where you’ll learn more about Italian traditions and customs and really get an authentic spring study abroad experience.  

Read More: Why Study Abroad in Rome? Top 5 Reasons  

Featured Program: Open Campus Block

Build your own study abroad adventure in Rome with Open Campus Block – choose one, two, or up to three consecutive six-week block sessions while you take fascinating courses in the heart of Italy and visit the country’s iconic landmarks.  

Program details:  

• Length: Six to 18 weeks
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours / 9-10.5 per Block quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Global Change and the Environment  
• Excursion Highlight: Explore Rome’s markets, beautiful local squares, and hidden gems  

Cape Town  

As one of South Africa’s capital cities and one of the country’s most important ports, Cape Town is bustling and packed with a complex history, unique modern culture, and breathtaking natural landscapes, including mountains and seascapes. A spring study abroad trip to Cape Town promises to be an eye-opening experience.  

Read More: Eat, Drink, Explore: Cape Town

Featured Program: Arts + Sciences

Our Arts + Sciences program in Cape Town is the perfect opportunity for just about any student, with course offerings in various disciplines including anthropology, economics, engineering, literature, science, information technology, politics, and more! As you take on these challenging and stimulating courses, discover more of Cape Town and visit remarkable art museums and galleries and captivating landmarks, and get outside and hike the city’s extraordinary trails.  

Program details:  

• Length: 19 weeks
• Credit: 15-18 semester hours / 22.5-27 quarter hours
• Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Intercultural Communication and Leadership  
• Excursion Highlight: Join local fans at a sports stadium to watch cricket or rugby  

London

As the capital of the United Kingdom and an icon in world culture, economics, and politics, a spring study abroad program in internationally diverse London guarantees an exciting journey. The city has it all: museums, art galleries, libraries, cafes, art, music, theater, fashion, and more – trust us when we say you’ll stay busy when you study abroad in London.  

Read More: 10 Reasons to Study Abroad in London  

Featured Program: Open Campus Block  

Build your own spring study abroad program in London with Open Campus Block and take interesting courses in just about any subject, from arts and politics to STEM-focused classes and more.  

Program details:  

• Length: Six to 18 weeks
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours / 9-10.5 per Block quarter hours
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA  
• Featured Course: Psychology of Health and Illness  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit Hampton Court Palace, a former royal palace of Henry VIII  

Paris  

Paris. Need we say more? As The City of Lights and the French capital, Paris is famous for its delectable cuisine, revolutions in fashion, robust history and culture, and some of the world’s most iconic landmarks, like the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, Notre Dame Cathedral … okay, we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. A spring study abroad adventure in Paris is simply exceptional.  

Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Studying Abroad in Paris  

Featured Program: Open Campus Block  

Choose one, two, or up to three consecutive six-week block sessions and take courses that span a variety of fascinating disciplines as you explore picture-perfect Paris.  

Program details:  

• Length: Six to 18 weeks
• Credit: 6-7 per Block semester hours / 9-10.5 per Block quarter hours  
• Eligibility: 2.5 Overall GPA
• Featured Course: Contemporary French Cinema  
• Excursion Highlight: Discover more of the French metropolitan area with trips to Amboise, Chantilly, and more.

Amsterdam

As the capital of the Netherlands, this inspiring city makes for a fabulous spring study abroad destination. Once a small fishing village, Amsterdam is now considered the cultural capital of the Netherlands and a huge economic success throughout Europe. The city’s successes, its multicultural population, superb museums and monuments, and Dutch food, will have you busy at every turn.  

Read More: Why Study Abroad in Amsterdam  

Featured Program: Social Sciences + Humanities

If you’re interested in the Dutch language, society, politics, and culture, you’re in for a treat with our Social Sciences + Humanities program in Amsterdam. As you study alongside a diverse international student population, you’ll dive into absorbing subjects like political science, sociology, film studies, international relations, media, and more.  

Program details:  

• Length: 18 weeks
• Eligibility: 3.0 Overall GPA
• Featured Course: Political and Economic Development of the Netherlands and the EU  
• Excursion Highlight: Visit the world-famous Van Gogh Museum  

Top Study Abroad Scholarships for Spring  

As you prepare to embark on your spring study abroad adventure, check out our scholarships and grant offerings.  

We offer scholarships and grants based on three categories:  

• Need-Based Scholarships: Offered to students with demonstrated financial need
• Merit-Based Scholarships: Offered to students with strong academic achievement
• Other Scholarships: Offered to students based on alum status or specific program choice

Check out which type of financial aid you may be eligible for ahead of your travels, and reach out if you have any questions!  

Read More: How to Apply to a Study Abroad Scholarship at CIEE: 4 Steps

Is it Better to Study Abroad in Fall or Spring?  

There’s no wrong choice here! Studying abroad in the spring or fall will be an incredible experience.  

To help you choose, think carefully about what works best with your current college schedule; do you have an on-campus lab in the fall? Consider our spring study abroad programs. After, explore our detailed program offerings and locations, as some are offered only in the spring and others in the fall.  

You have many study abroad options for a memorable spring – get started on your adventure today!  

EXPLORE SPRING STUDY ABROAD