Why Study in Spain

With more than 200,000 international students coming to Spain, it is clear that Spain is a top choice for a great academic experience. You can easily be part of those lucky 200,000 students and pursue a higher degree in one of the best countries in Europe. 

Why? Well for starters, imagine getting a tan in between classes at the nearest beach, or going dancing every night with the locals, and having the most amazing food in your life everyday. 

Yes, we know you are wondering and concerned about the studying options and the universities the country offers. Spain provides top-quality education that you can pursue at a very low tuition cost, and you can do this without having to learn Spanish since they offer great programs taught entirely in English. However, learning their official language and being part of the diverse culture in Spain it’s a big opportunity that you should use to your advantage.

Continue reading this article for more detailed reasons why Spain is the ideal study abroad destination:

1. Quality Education

Spain is home to some of the best universities in the world, which have a very diverse student body population. Spanish universities are the top choice for international students from the US, UK and other EU countries such as Italy and France. The higher education institutions in this country have a long-term history of providing students with excellent teaching, and Spanish universities are constantly praised as among the best around the world. 

There are around 99 universities in Spain you can choose from, offering a large number of programs from Engineering, Medicine to Law, Business, Economics, and more. As Spain is home to some of the best universities in the world here are some worth mentioning: 

• University of Barcelona
• Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
• Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM)
• EU Business School
• Pompeu Fabra University

Most of the above-mentioned universities offer world-class education and produce alumni which have very high chances of employability and show great success in their future careers.

English Taught Programs

Although a Spanish speaking country, universities in Spain go out of their way to provide international students with all kinds of opportunities so they are able to finish a degree in Spain without knowing the language. A lot of universities in Spain offer programs and courses that are taught entirely in English. For those who want to improve their Spanish skills, you can also find bilingual programs that mix teaching in Spanish and English. 

Don’t forget that even though they do offer English-taught programs, you must still be able to provide language proficiency in English. This is a nonnegotiable requirement to enter these programs, as you must have a proficient level knowledge of the language of instruction.  

Learn Spanish

As an international student, you might feel intimidated to study abroad in a foreign country, especially when you don’t speak the official language. The good news is that learning Spanish is much easier in Spain than back home in the US or other countries. Universities provide international students with language courses, and you can start learning Spanish as soon as you arrive.

Furthemore, the super friendly attitude of native Spanish speakers and their powerful culture will rub off on you in no time. As such, you will be speaking Spanish quicker than you think. As the second most spoken language in the world, learning Spanish as opposed to other languages in Europe, will get you far and will help you grow professionally opening you up to more and better career opportunities. 

Plus, for students from the US, learning Spanish is a great advantage knowing that 13% of the US population speak Spanish. The experience you can gain from studying abroad in Spain will give you a competitive edge when you return to your home country and apply for jobs.

Lively Lifestyle

It’s no secret that Spanish people know better than anyone in the world how to live life to the fullest. This is also one of the many reasons why Spain attracts so many tourists as well as international students. Since Spain is a warm country, you will automatically feel the positive atmosphere as soon as you land, which I can’t say the same for US and some EU countries such as Norway, Sweden, Finland and others. 

You can never get bored in Spain, as there is always something you can do outside, and this is a big plus for students who are young and are always looking for ways to have fun and relieve their stress. From the large number of available beaches and great architecture to some of the most astonishing monuments in the world, Spain is a country very rich in culture. 

Affordable Tuition and Living Cost

The affordable living costs in Spain is one of the key factors that students consider when making their decision to study here. The cheapest cities in Spain have some of the lowest living expenses compared to other European countries and especially the US. You can finish your studies while paying rent and other essential expenses with less than 1,000€ per month. Cities like Barcelona and Madrid, may be on the pricier side, however they still offer student halls and dormitories where students can live for around 300€ per month.

Furthermore, compared to other European countries and the US, international students can find some of the cheapest universities in Spain, with lower tuition fees. You should know that public universities are always cheaper than private universities but that doesn’t mean they have a lower quality of education. 

Welcoming for International Students 

You will be part of the largest community of international students, so you will have lots of other people to share your homesickness, stress and most importantly fun times with. Making connections is a big part of a student’s path and future, and having a diverse student community to network with is a big advantage. 

Attracting students from all parts of the world, means more cultures to learn from and more opportunities to grow both personally and professionally. Spanish universities are world-renowned for their great education system and they continuously improve each year, ranking among the world’s top universities.

Rich in Culture

Spain is known for its history of mixed cultures, traditions and inner customs which makes it very appealing for foreign students. They appreciate a relaxed lifestyle so dancing is a very important part of their lives and their culture. Students who live for a period of time in Spain can experience the local life by learning how to dance their famous flamenco dances and the very popular festivals in the traditional Catalonia. 

Most importantly, as you may already know,Spain has a deep-rooted sports culture, with football being the most significant. However, other sports are very prominent as well such as basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball, cycling and racing. 

Mountain sports are also a big part of their activities including hiking, climbing and extreme sports such as mountain biking. With the beautiful beaches in Spain we shouldn’t forget to add the summer sports like swimming and surfing. To summarize, nearly any sport you can imagine is available for you to enjoy and participate in across Spain. 

Great Food

This is the best part, the Spanish cuisine! If I go back to when I was looking to study abroad in Spain, if nothing else, their diverse and tasteful cuisine convinced me. Spanish restaurants have won world awards for their very famous and delicious cuisine. Food is a big part of a country’s culture and international students will be happy to know that you can indulge in such delicious food for a very affordable amount of money. 

From the tortilla, tapas, paella, churros to some of the best drinks such as sangria 😉, horchata and other delicious alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, you will not be disappointed. Spain blends amazing food with a fun, vibrant culture, offering international students an unforgettable experience that makes you feel like you are living in a real action telenovela. 

Employment Opportunities

Among the reasons why Spanish universities are highly prestigious and renowned, is that they cannot guarantee employment but you will have great chances of quickly finding jobs upon graduation, both in Spain and internationally. This happens mainly because the education system in Spain functions entirely to the advantage of students. The curriculum and study plans focus on preparing students about the job market, so they can be very efficient, have a work ethic and finally show great success in their careers.

Spain’s strategic geographical and political location benefits students, as it is part of the EU, allowing them to easily access the job market across Europe. As a highly economically developed country, Spain continuously is looking for employees in the economics industry, such as marketing, business and communication.

Plenty of Vitamin D 

Last but not least, we all love ourselves some sun and we never get tired of it. The warm weather attracts not only tourists but especially international students who will have to spend at least one year in this sunny country. Imagine going for a tan before class and then swimming after, you would never be able to experience this plus all of the above in any other country, especially at the low cost. 

Sun is a great supplement to your mental health state which is crucial for a student abroad stressing about the documents, exams and everything that comes with. Although you will still need to study hard, nothing better motivates you than knowing you can do that anywhere you are, at the beach, in the park, in terraces soaking up all the vitamin D possible.