Adjusting to a New Routine: What a Typical Week Looks Like for Students Studying Abroad in Palma

Studying abroad in Palma de Mallorca offers students an exhilarating mix of cultural immersion, intellectual growth, and personal discovery. While the idea of residing in a foreign country may be intimidating in the beginning, the majority of students easily adapt to their new daily routine. Having an understanding of what a normal week is like can make you feel more prepared and comfortable as you embark on this adventure in this beautiful Mediterranean city.

Monday through Friday: Local Living and Structured Learning
Palma weekdays are a combination of structured classes, cultural immersion, and self-discovery. Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays tend to begin anywhere from 7:00 or 7:30 a.m., especially when living with a host family. Breakfast is light—the most likely offerings being toast, fruit, or pastry with coffee or juice. Depending on your program, classes may begin at 9:00 a.m. and run until noon.

Academic courses usually focus on Spanish language, regional culture, or program-related material related to your studies. Traditional classroom instruction might be supplemented by experiential learning at museums, bazaars, and historic sites in and around Palma. The interactive exposure brings the lessons to life and deepens your familiarity with the region.

In the afternoons, most of the programs do group lunches or allow students to return home to the host family for the main meal of the day. Lunch in Spain is typically between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m. and is a multi-course meal. Afternoons are typically filled with cultural activities, service projects, or free time to study, visit the city, or relax.

Evenings in Palma are a great time to unwind. Students are able to take a walk along the water, grab a bite to eat at a local café, or join an optional group activity. Supper is light and consumed after 8:00 p.m. with host families or student residences. After the evening is spent, many students prefer to journal, review the day's material, or phone a friend or relative back home.

Weekends: Adventure and Exploration
Weekends are best to go out further afield in Mallorca beyond Palma. There are usually optional day trips provided by the programs to places like Valldemossa, Sóller, or Cuevas del Drach. Students can also plan their own day trip to nearby beaches, mountain villages, or hiking trails in the Serra de Tramuntana.

Saturdays are often active—whether you’re shopping at local markets, enjoying a beach day, or discovering historical sites. Sundays tend to be quieter and are ideal for rest, reflection, or spending time with your host family. Many shops close or operate on limited hours, so it’s also a great day to slow down and soak in the local rhythm of life.

Finding Your Balance
Adjustment to a new rhythm in a week requires some time, but the majority of students find that it is revitalizing. Life in Palma appears to pass by even more slowly with novel experiences and cultural soaking up so you feel you are both developing personally as well as intellectually. Something new emerges every day-either a new Spanish expression, a new meal, or a new friend.

A typical week in Palma is not just a calendar—It's the chance to build habits that encourage curiosity, autonomy, and cosmopolitanism. By embracing the rhythms of Mallorcan life, students abroad come to adore Spanish culture and return home more confident in themselves and their path. Monday morning or Saturday afternoon, every day in Palma is a chance to learn and grow.