alicante boats on beach
Alicante, Spain

Summer Intensive Spanish Language

Study Program

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

8 semester hours

12 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Dates

-

8 weeks

Costs

Credit

8 semester hours

12 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

The application deadline has passed.

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend eight weeks of your summer improving and advancing your Spanish language skills in the beautiful coastal city of Alicante! Designed for students at an intermediate or advanced level of Spanish, this intensive language program will immerse you in the sounds, culture, and community of Spain, giving you an authentic taste of Spanish life.

When class is in session, courses are delivered in Spanish at CIEE Alicante. Outside the classroom, your coursework will be supplemented through exciting co-curricular activities designed to increase intercultural understanding. You will also have every opportunity to spend your free time exploring Alicante and take advantage of all that this stunning seaside city has to offer.  
 

Unique Experiencies

TAKE AN OVERNIGHT EDUCATIONAL LANGUAGE STUDY TOUR

to one of the most emblematic cities in Spain

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE CULTURE

by living with a Spanish family

FIND THE PERFECT LEVEL OF SPANISH

instruction for your needs

9 M

PEOPLE VISIT ALICANTE EACH YEAR

115,000

TONS OF RICE ARE PRODUCED LOCALLY EVERY YEAR

6.6 M

MARBLE TILES ARE IN THE EXPLANADA DE ESPANA PROMENADE

Experience
  • spain alicante beach with large rock mountain
  • two students in alicante study abroad summer program
  • Alicante Encanto storefront

Your Destination

With a historic cultural heritage dating back thousands of years, Alicante is a booming Spanish port city best known for its miles-long beaches, award-winning museums, and beautiful weather year-round. The city’s most iconic landmark, the medieval Castle of Santa Barbara, keeps watch over all of Alicante from its central location atop Mount Benacantil.

Considered one of the safest cities in Europe, Alicante is an excellent place to study. From its large student population to its reliable public transportation network, first-class educational opportunities, green parks, and café culture, this budget-friendly city is the perfect place to live and learn abroad. 

CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Alicante. 

The Culture

Seville Granada hillside

Excursions & Activities

  • Visit Valencia, Madrid, or Granada on an overnight trip
  • Take a day trip to the Alicante Province or the Valencian Autonomous Community
  • Go on guided tours of monuments and museums in Alicante
  • Play soccer and watch the local team (Hercules) win  
  • Try your hand at cooking tapas to partake in Alicante’s traditions with local peers 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Top 10 Spanish Slang Words and Phrases You Need to Know

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

Heading on an incredible study abroad journey where the locals primarily speak in Spanish? Then you’ll want to know some common Spanish slang words and phrases ahead of time so... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

This eight-week program is designed for students to take their Spanish language skills to the next level while getting a taste of Spanish life on the Mediterranean coast. Students take two Spanish language courses, based on their skill level, that focus on conversation and written Spanish in context. Courses are taught by CIEE faculty that specialize in teaching Spanish as a second language. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering. By living with carefully selected host families, and by participating in cultural activities, students become integrated into the local culture.
The CIEE Spanish Intensive Language Summer program in Alicante is geared to students with different levels of Spanish, who are willing to make significant gains in their command of the Spanish language in a short period of time. Specifically, the program offers intensive curriculums for the following levels:  

  • Intermediate
  • Advanced  

CIEE Alicante is located on the campus of Universidad de Alicante.

Universidad de Alicante was founded in 1979 and offers more than 50 degrees. It is located just three miles north of the city in San Vincente and hosts more than 35,000 students. 

GPA

2.5

Language Requirements

  • Intermediate (2-3 previous semesters of college-level Spanish)  
  • Advanced (4-5 previous semesters of college-level Spanish)   

Additional Requirements

Please refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Requirements

Students are required to enroll in: 

  • Two CIEE Spanish Language Courses (a Conversation class and Writing Workshop) at either the Intermediate or Advanced level  
  • Final acceptance into specific Spanish language levels is contingent on the result of a predeparture language examination. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 8 U.S. semester/12 quarter credits

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 4 U.S. semester/6 quarter credits; 60 contact hours

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Academic Culture

Courses are designed to follow U.S. academic culture and standards. The class environment typically features a combination of traditional lecture and discussion with co-curricular excursions and activities. Heavy emphasis is placed on student participation. Attendance is mandatory and absences affect final grades. CIEE classes provide a detailed syllabus, and students are expected to be prepared for class.  

Class Format

Classes are open only to CIEE students and meet Monday through Friday. Language classes are small, typically with no more than 20 students per class, and emphasize communication and work in small groups. Instruction is interactive and dynamic. CIEE courses combine lectures, readings, films, active participation and group discussion, class-related visits, and study trips. Additional activities may be scheduled in the afternoon. While extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute greatly to the student’s overall experience, attendance is mandatory for both classes and co-curricular activities. Students should expect an average of two hours of preparation required for each hour in class. Instruction is supported and augmented online with our learning management system, Canvas.     

Grading

The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. Students are graded on the basis of attendance, class participation, homework, project work, presentations, and midterm and final examinations. Learning outcomes assessment is continuous through personal reflections, evaluation feedback, self-assessment, and requirements as set out in course syllabi.   

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Language of Instruction

Spanish

Individual courses may have additional prerequisites; for CIEE courses, these are listed in the syllabi below. Students are responsible for having their own course approval conversations with their advisors. Your study abroad advisor and CIEE staff can help you understand your course options if you don't see a recommendation that fits your course needs.

Courses

Course Information

Course notes: 
Students are placed into one of the two language levels depending on the results of a language placement exam.

Summer 2025

Course
Language
Semester Credit

Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.

Scholarships

Scholarships & Grants

CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.

Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:

  • Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
  • Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
  • CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
  • MSI Grant
  • CIEE STEM Scholarship

To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.

Learn more about scholarships

Dates & Fees

Dates & Fees

You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.

Program

Application Due

Start Date

End Date

Fees & Housing

Program Summer 2025 8 weeks Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,950
Program Summer 2024 8 weeks Application Due Deadline Passed Start Date End Date Fees & Housing $8,850

To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, ask your college or university study abroad advisor if your school charges additional fees for study abroad.

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $5,850**

Housing = $2,600***

Insurance = $200

Total Fees = $8,950

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $0

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $84†††

Books & Supplies = $50

Personal expenses = $180††††

Total Costs = $1,564

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

***Housing fees listed are for financial aid purposes only and should not be considered a basis for calculation of refunds.

For students in homestays, families provide all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Transportation card for 8 weeks.

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

Program Fees

CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.

Participation Confirmation = $300*

Educational Costs = $5,753**

Housing = $2,600

Insurance = $197

Total Fees = $8,850

Estimated Costs

Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.

Meals not included in program fee = $0

International Airfare = $1,250††

Local Transportation = $84†††

Books & Supplies = $50

Personal expenses = $180††††

Total Costs = $1,564

Financial Aid

CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.

See Scholarships

*non-refundable

**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students

For students in homestays, families provide all meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner). For students in residence halls/apartments, you should budget approx. $260 per month for groceries if you plan on making your own meals, and more if you plan on eating out regularly.

††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure

†††Transportation card for 8 weeks.

††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries

What's Included

Tuition

Housing

Pre-departure Advising

Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions

Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet

Orientation

Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city

On-site Staff

Full-time program leadership and support in your city

Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities

Excursions and/or Study Tours

Travel Protection

CIEE iNext travel protection

24/7 emergency on-site support

Staff

Our Staff

Rocío Díez

Center Director

Rocío oversees all semester and summer programs. Rocio, who joined CIEE in 2015, has extensive working experience in the fields of communication and cultural management. She holds a B.A. in...

Vanesa Ruiz

Program Manager

Vanesa was born and raised in Alicante and earned her BA in English Studies from Universidad de Alicante and a MA in Teaching. She has been working in the field...

Get Started Steps

Get Started

Here’s what you need to do to take the next steps:

1

Start an Application

You're one step closer to an amazing study abroad experience!

2

Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office

Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.

3

Contact Us

Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.

Request Info