Study Abroad in Spain with Expanish
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Study Abroad in Spain with Expanish

Earn transferable U.S. college credits in Barcelona, Madrid, or Málaga. Choose your city, your program type, and your start date. Expanish has been running study abroad programs in Spain for 20 years, with local staff in every city and a School of Record that U.S. universities recognize.

Why Study Abroad in Spain with Expanish?

Spain is one of the most studied-abroad-in countries in the world, which means the competition for your attention is high. Here is what makes Expanish different: we own and operate our own study centers in Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga. Our staff are Spanish locals who are on-site every day, not remote coordinators managing your experience from another country.
You will take classes for credit, connect with students from over 117 countries, and have a local team available whenever you need them. Expanish has been doing this in Spain for 20 years. The programs are tested, the cities are real, and the credits transfer.

Transferable U.S. college credits through Westminster University, our accredited School of Record

Financial aid and scholarships accepted, including FAFSA and the $1,000 Expanish Scholarship
4 staff-organized activities every week, from Gaudí workshops in Barcelona to flamenco nights in Málaga
Classes in English or Spanish, with daily immersion in the city regardless of your language level

Study Abroad Cities in Spain

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🌆 Barcelona – Beach Meets Creativity

Barcelona is a vibrant Mediterranean city where art, architecture, and sunshine define everyday life. Students here experience the perfect blend of urban excitement and seaside relaxation.

  • Home to Gaudí’s masterpieces and nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites

  • A large international student community, with students from over 80 countries in Expanish programs alone

  • Enjoy beaches, tapas, and cultural events year-round

  • Study Center located in the trendy Eixample district

Perfect for: Students who love art, architecture, beach life, and cosmopolitan energy.

Explore Barcelona Study Abroad →

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🏙 Madrid – Spain’s Cultural and Academic Heart

The capital city offers a dynamic mix of tradition and modernity. With its royal palaces, world-class museums, and buzzing student life, Madrid is ideal for those seeking an authentic European experience in the country’s largest city.

  • Home to the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen-Bornemisza Museums

  • Central location with fast train connections to Barcelona, Seville, and the rest of Spain

  • Rich café culture and energetic nightlife

  • Study Center near key transport hubs and cultural landmarks

Perfect for: Students drawn to European history, political science, business, and big-city energy without the tourist crowds of Barcelona.

Explore Madrid Study Abroad →

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🌴 Málaga – The Sunny Gateway to Southern Spain

Located on the Costa del Sol, Málaga is where beach vibes meet Andalusian tradition. With more than 300 sunny days a year, this coastal city offers a relaxed lifestyle and deep cultural roots.

  • Picasso’s birthplace and home to a growing art scene

  • Ideal for outdoor lovers: beaches, hiking trails, and water sports

  • Affordable cost of living compared to larger cities

  • A warm, welcoming local community

Perfect for: Students seeking a laid-back atmosphere, great weather, and authentic southern Spanish culture.

Explore Málaga Study Abroad →

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🌞 Valencia – COMING 2027

Valencia combines cutting-edge architecture and centuries-old traditions. It’s a smaller, student-friendly city with beaches, parks, and a vibrant food scene... including the birthplace of paella!

  • Home to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences

  • Easy to navigate and bike-friendly

  • Long stretches of sandy beaches just minutes from downtown

  • Popular with students for its affordable prices and welcoming vibe

Perfect for: Students who want a student-friendly city with beaches, modern architecture, a low cost of living, and easy access to the rest of Spain. Launching 2027 — register your interest early.

Explore Valencia Study Abroad →

Explore Each Study Abroad Program in Spain

Truly the staff at the Malaga school is amazing. I was supported and learned so much from them. They are so kind and helpful. I cannot wait until I can go back for more classes. It really does feel like a family and the staff/teachers want to be there. They also have great activites every week to get to know the city and to learn about the culture. I love the variety and it makes it easier to get to know the students in the school.

Katelyn
United States

Studying abroad in Barcelona is genuinely the best decision I have ever made in my life, & I don't think anything will ever top this experience. Expanish provided everything, from housing to day trips & even introduced me to my closest friends. From cooking family dinners in our residence hall to taking a 34-person program trip to Morocco, every moment in Barcelona made every anxious though worth it :') I couldn't imagine going abroad & choosing any other program. One of my biggest fears was struggling to make friends in my classes, but our program placed us together & basically forced us to bond, & it ended up being the best part of studying abroad. I love every single person I've met here & I can't believe that I have to leave it all behind in 3 weeks.The worst part of studying abroad genuinely is having to leave. If you're debating going abroad, do it. Please.

Areeza Kabani
UC Irvine

I've learned a lot of self confidence, independence, and how to take care of myself in a new city

Sarah Lanel
University of South Alabama

From the second we landed, everything was so well organized and flowed seamlessly. I could never have imagined a better combination of activities and the support that is available from everyone involved in the program has blown me away.

Quincy Peters
University of California, Los Angeles

Tour Our Study Centers

Expanish owns and operates its own study centers in Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga. These spaces are designed for students: bright classrooms, social areas, and local staff on-site every day. See what yours looks like.

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What Makes Expanish Different?

Academic Excellence

Expanish is accredited by Westminster University (our U.S. School of Record) and Instituto Cervantes. Every course you complete in Spain generates an official U.S. university transcript that transfers to your home institution.

Local Support, Global Community

Our staff are Spanish locals, not remote coordinators. They are on-site at your study center every day, available for everything from housing questions to emergency support. This is the difference between a provider that manages you and one that is actually there.

Cultural Activities

Every destination offers weekly social and cultural events... from flamenco nights in Málaga to food tours in Valencia or Gaudí workshops in Barcelona.

Benefits of Studying Abroad in Spain

Immersive Cultural Experience

Spain is one of the few places where the city itself teaches you. You will navigate a foreign language at the market, build friendships across 117 nationalities in the classroom, and develop the kind of independence that only comes from living somewhere new. Expanish staff organize 4 cultural activities every week so your learning doesn't stop when classes do.

Credits That Actually Transfer

Expanish programs in Spain are accredited through Westminster University, our U.S. School of Record. Every course generates an official American university transcript. Your Expanish advisor works with you before departure to get pre-approval from your home university, so you know which credits will count before you get on the plane.

Lifestyle, Travel, and Personal Growth

Spain's central location in Europe means your weekends are open. High-speed trains and budget flights connect you to Portugal, France, Morocco, and the rest of the continent in hours. Our study center locations are in central neighborhoods so you are already in the city, not on the outskirts. Students consistently report that the friendships and independence they build in Spain are among the most lasting outcomes of their time abroad.

Housing in Spain

Homestays

Live with a Spanish family in your city. Breakfast and dinner are included, and your family is a built-in introduction to the culture and the neighborhood.

Quick facts

Single or double rooms

Shared bathroom (comfort option: private bathroom)

Half-board: breakfast and dinner

Bed linens and towels included. You are entitled to one load of laundry per week.

Average of 20 to 35 minutes

Safe neighborhoods, close to public transport

Student Residence

A private room in a student residence, with Spanish and international students also studying. Social by design, with your own space to come back to.

Residence features

Private Room

Private bathroom (en-suite shower)

Self-catering. Meal plans available; optional breakfast, half board, or full board meal plan

Kitchenette in room (microwave, fridge/freezer, sink)

20 min via subway (L3 line, 6 stops)

You live with Spanish and international students (currently studying in Barcelona)

24/7 reception (with security and CCTV)

Student Apartment

Your own room in a shared apartment. More independence, more flexibility, and the option to live with another Expanish student if you're traveling with a friend.

Quick facts

Private single bedroom. Double bedroom available for 2 students traveling together.

Shared bathroom (private bathroom option may be available)

Self-catering: access to the shared kitchen

Average of 20 to 40 minutes

Safe neighborhoods, close to public transport

Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Abroad in Spain