palma historic center aerial
Palma de Mallorca, Spain

January in Palma

New for January 2025!

Study Program

Dates

-

3 weeks

Credit

3 semester hours

4.5 quarter hours

Eligibility

Application Deadline

Apply Now

Request Information

Overview

Spend your January studying abroad in Palma de Mallorca, a dreamy Mediterranean island home to stunning scenery, unique Mediterranean cuisine and traditions, and fascinating natural protected areas. This incredible Spanish city is a top European destination, welcoming around 12 million tourists annually, and a special place to focus on social and environmental responsibility.  

Designed for students excited to explore the balance between tourism and sustainable development, biodiversity and nature-based tourism, and modern life and historic traditions, this program invites you to study how tourism, culture, and nature work together. Students living with local families will also immerse themselves in Mallorquin culture, thus contributing to socially responsible tourism during their time abroad. 

Unique Experiences

EXPLORE THIS MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND

To learn about its long history, welcoming inhabitants, delicious gastronomy, and healthy lifestyle

DISCOVER LOCAL TRADITIONS

By living with a host family and participating in the most important celebration of the island, Sant Sebastià, with music, bonfires, and outdoor barbecues

LEARN BY DOING

With small-group cooking lessons, a wine-tasting experience, and site tours through the nature of the of the island that make this distinct Spanish island a favorite tourist destination.

12 M

TOURISTS VISIT THE ISLAND ANNUALLY

123 AD

YEAR IN WHICH PALMA WAS FOUNDED BY THE ROMANS

12 KM

OF BIKING PATH ALONG THE COAST OF PALMA

Experience
  • palma girls hiking mountains
  • students ocean overlook palma spain
  • palma spain aerial view downtown

Your Destination

Nestled in the heart of the Mediterranean, Palma de Mallorca is a bustling capital city with a laid-back island atmosphere. Its pristine beaches, rich history, fantastic nightlife, and one-of-a-kind gastronomy make it easy to see why Mallorca is a favorite among European tourists.  

The bay of Palma is dominated by an impressive Gothic Cathedral, the elegant Moorish Almudaina Palace, and the round Medieval Bellver Castle. Mediterranean in essence, the palm-fringed marina bristles with masts, and beyond lies a tapestry of Gothic, Medieval, Modernist, and Moorish architecture, tiny shops, and busy squares. The flat terrain makes for easy walking and biking. On the rest of the island, you'll see small villages, stone houses, and the impressive Tramontana Mountains. It’s easy to fall in love with this stunning Balearic Island off the east coast of Spain. You can wander in any direction and be mesmerized by scenic coves, exquisite limestone mountains, luscious greenery, and a sea so clear that you can see the grains of sand. 

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 Palma.   

The Culture

palma tramuntana mountainside village

Excursions & Activities

  • Visit Sierra de Tramontana, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Mallorca’s most important and stunning mountain range overlooking the blue Mediterranean, where you’ll learn about its historical towns and gastronomy
  • Discover the multi-layered city of Palma and its architectural treasures, such as the impressive Gothic Cathedral and the only round medieval castle in Spain, with its beautiful bird’s-eye view of Palma  
  • Try Mallorcan homemade almond ice cream, ensaïmada, or empanadas at Can Joan de S’Aigo, a traditional 300-year-old creamery
  • Learn to appreciate the savor and vintage of wine during a visit to Mallorca’s traditional winery, Macià Batle
  • Explore the Natural Park of Albufera de Mallorca, the island’s most important wetland area, to learn about birdwatching as an ecotourism-based activity 

Program Blogs

From CIEE

Valldemossa: A Peaceful Town in Mallorca (by Clara Copano)

By CIEE Palma at CIEE

Nestled in the beautiful Serra de Tramuntana (UNESCO World Heritage Site), Valldemossa is a town that combines history, culture, and natural beauty. From its famous Coca de Patata to its... keep reading

From CIEE

Exploring the Magnificent Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca (by Clara Copano)

By CIEE Palma at CIEE

The Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca, or La Seu, as it's locally known, is a majestic structure on the Spanish island of Mallorca that offers an awe-inspiring journey through time... keep reading

From CIEE

Mallorca Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know

By College Study Abroad at CIEE

For students looking for a unique study abroad experience, we have just the thing at CIEE: Island life. And what better place to bask in island life than on Mallorca... keep reading

Housing
Academics

Academics

Students spend three weeks in January taking coursework complemented with co-curricular activities relevant to the course offering. Classes are held at CIEE Palma.  

CIEE Palma is conveniently located in downtown Palma. The building where CIEE is located and classes are offered is a 10-minute walk to Palma's waterfront, near the main square and shopping district, and surrounded by cafeterias, restaurants, and shops. 

GPA

2.5 

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.

Requirements

All students take one required course. 

Program Credit

Total credit: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits 

Course Credit

CIEE courses: 3 U.S. semester/4.5 quarter credits; 45 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.

Academic Culture

The program is made up of three weeks of classes with an intensive orientation beforehand. CIEE courses are taught at CIEE Palma and are designed to follow U.S. academic culture. Class attendance is strictly enforced both for classes and required co-curricular excursions. 

Class Format

Courses are for CIEE students only. Courses are taught Monday through Friday. Instruction is supported and augmented online by our learning management system, Canvas. The course is complemented with immersive co-curricular activities, company visits, and hands-on workshops designed to enhance classroom learning. 

Grading

Assessment is based on the individual’s overall performance in the course, including essays, coursework, and final examinations or papers. Students must check with their professors to find out exam and project presentation dates. Under no circumstances will CIEE alter deadlines or exam dates for study abroad students who have made conflicting travel plans. The U.S. grading scale of A-F is used. 

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.

Language of Instruction

English

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.

Courses

Course Information

Business, Economics, Management, and Marketing

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.

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 January 2025 3 weeks Start Date End Date

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, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.

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.

Estimated Costs

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

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

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

Antonia Ferriol, PhD

CENTER DIRECTOR

Antonia brings a great passion for teaching and a wealth of educational experience, having taught Spanish language, linguistics, literature, and culture at Pennsylvania State University, Middlebury College, Denison University, and...

Clara Copano

PROGRAM COORDINATOR

Clara worked as a Spanish Teacher at the Instituto Cervantes in Munich (Germany) and has over 3 years of experience teaching at University level and project management. She is passionate...

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