Spain

"Estoy contento de haber venido a España" may be your motto while you’re in Spain. It means "I’m happy to be in Spain." As a YFU student, you will become part of a family, attend school, and live there long enough to understand what it means to be Spanish! 

Spanish families share important events of the day and other conversation around the table. The Spanish people put a great emphasis on tradition and respect.

You'll probably find yourself enjoying the same kind of activities with your Spanish friends and siblings as you do in the US, like going to the movies or meeting people at a café. Because of the emphasis on intellectual curiosity at school, Spanish students may get together to attend lectures, concerts, or theater performances.

Academic Programs

Spanish schools are academically challenging. You'll find yourself in one of the last two years of baccalaureate with students who are preparing themselves for university education. You will have eight compulsory subjects, five of which are common to all students while three are specific to the learning track you choose. You can choose from four tracks: art, natural science and health, humanities and social studies, or technology. You'll learn about Spanish history and literature, have a chance to work on language fluency, and maybe even study one of the regional languages—Basque, Catalan, Galician, or Valencian.

All year and semester students going to Spain will attend a three-day arrival orientation in Madrid before traveling to their host families. There you will meet your local YFU representative and other exchange students. Year and semester students will be invited to attend a mid-year get-together.

Some students may be asked to attend private schools at an additional charge depending on the location and circumstances of their host family. 

13th Year Abroad
The traditional Academic programs are also available as 13th Year Abroad options. Learn more about other 13th Year Abroad Programs.

Summer Programs

Spanish Language and Culture
If you want to learn Spanish there’s no better place than Spain, especially through this YFU program. This intensive four-week program offers Spanish (Castilian) classes four days a week in the morning, leaving afternoons free to explore and participate in group excursions. You will live with a host family in Santander, an ancient town and beach resort in the north.

In addition to living with a host family, you’ll discover the riches of history and culture that Spain has to offer on excursions to places like the Magdalena Palace Peninsula, the charming ninth century village of Santillana del Mar, and an optional bullfight. In addition, many exciting activities are planned during your stay in Santander, including salsa and merengue dance lessons.

Discover Spain
Another option offers you a less structured summer living with a Spanish family for six weeks. After a helpful orientation in Madrid, you’ll head to your host family’s home where you’ll enjoy getting to know them, their community, and the Spanish way of life. This summer program will bring you home with an Olé in your heart, many fond memories, and experiences that will benefit you long into the future!

Programs, Departures, and Costs

Online Resources

To learn more about Spain, we recommend:

• E-mail YFU Alumni from the Alumni Referral List with your questions
• Visit your local library to find reference books, travel guides and essays, Spanish language dictionaries, and many more country resources 
• Use an internet search engine to find informative web sites 
• Embassy of Spain in Washington, DC web site
• Tourist Office of Spain web site
• All About Spain web site

"I didn't want to go home... because the exchange experience was the best time of my life." - Megan Krumholz

All YFU Programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.
Last Updated: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 01:41 AM