Internship & Service Learning Programs in Alicante, Spain
Gain hands-on experience side-by-side with local workers and volunteers while earning credit and learning Spanish. Learn through experience and reflection. Spanish Studies Abroad draws from its extensive network of collaborators to find the most appropriate placement for each student.
Internship and Service Learning Semester Program
Upcoming Internship and Service Learning Semester Programs in Alicante, Spain
2019 Alicante Internship Fall Semester
2019 Alicante Service Learning Fall Semester
2020 Alicante Service Learning Spring Semester
Semester and summer-long internships allow you to gain professional experience while improving your Spanish. Internships and service learning opportunities allow you access to the work culture and daily life of local citizens, often hidden to students studying abroad, and to more fully integrate into the local culture.
When applying for an internship or service learning project, you have the benefit of specifying what you would like your internship to look like. Spanish Studies will strive to match you with the best available placement to help you integrate into alicantino work culture.
Internships focus upon practical experience in a local business, while service learning projects focus on engagement in the local culture through community service in a local organization. The curricula of the Alicante Internship programs are centered around your individual work experience. Complementary courses help you to work through the linguistic and cultural challenges you may run into while in the field.
Fields of Placement:
Spanish Studies will work hard to match you with an appropriate placement to meet your interests. Students have completed placements in a variety of fields including legal offices, Greenpeace, television production, journalism, education, and more.
Some fields you may want to think of when applying:
- Animal Science/Horses
- Communications
- Community Service
- Education
- Health Services
- International Business
- Information Technology/ Graphic Design
- Museums and Cultural Centers/Fine Art
- Physical Therapy
- Political Science
- Public Relations
- Social Work
- Tourism
Program Features:
- Opportunity to gain professional experience abroad
- Language courses and cultural guidance to support your placement
- Homestays or student residencias
- Local speaking partners
- All inclusive day and overnight travel excursions
- On-Site Resident Director, Housing Coordinator, Computer Technician, and Activities Coordinator
Eligibility:
- Ability to understand normal, rapid Spanish; two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent
- 3.0 GPA in Spanish Language Coursework. Exceptions may be made with strong recommendations from faculty
- A written application for an internship or service learning must be approved by your home institution and received no later than the program application deadline.
To apply to the Internship/Service Learning program click here: apply online
For more information or if you have questions, please contact the Amherst Office: info@spanishstudies.org or (413) 256-0011.
Costs Include
- Tuition
- Double occupancy room & full board
- Laundry
- Overnight & local study visits & cultural activities
- Orientation
- Health Insurance
- Spanish Studies transcript
- Support of onsite staff
Special Dietary Needs
- Students with food allergies, intolerances, or other medical conditions that require a special diet may incur an extra fee to cover related dietary expenses. Please contact Spanish Studies for additional details.
All fees are in U.S. dollars and based on current exchange rates. Any considerable decrease in the value of the dollar will affect fees.
Language and Internship Quarter Program
Upcoming Language and Internship Quarter Programs in Alicante, Spain
2020 Alicante Language and Internship Spring Quarter Program
Spanish Studies Abroad offers program options in Alicante for those students that are on the Quarter/Trimester system. Students enroll in one intensive language course and gain valuable work experience pursuing an internship in the field of their choice. Internship opportunities allow you access to the work culture and daily life of local citizens, often hidden to students studying abroad, and to more fully integrate into the local culture. Language courses are taught at our center, and includes numerous cultural activities, day trips and excursions. In addition to living in an Spanish home, cultural events and social activities enhance the cultural element of your experience.
Why choose this program?
- Ideal for students on the Quarter/Trimester system
- Dedication to academic excellence
- Opportunity to gain professional experience abroad
- Classes at Universidad de Alicante
- Complete 4 credits of Spanish language
- Internship in a variety of fields for 6 credits
- Earn 10-11 credits total
Requirements:
- Completion of one semester of advanced college-level Spanish or the equivalent
- 3.0 GPA in Spanish coursework
Courses
All courses are taught in Spanish by highly qualified Spanish university professors with extensive experience in teaching American students.
Internship Placement
Spanish Studies will work hard to match you with an appropriate placement to meet your interests. Students have completed placements in a variety of fields including legal offices, Greenpeace, television production, journalism, education, and more.
Accommodations:
Students live with a local host family.
Costs Include
- Tuition
- Double occupancy room & full board
- Laundry
- Overnight & local study visits & cultural activities
- Orientation
- Health Insurance
- Spanish Studies transcript
- Support of onsite staff
Special Dietary Needs
- Students with food allergies, intolerances, or other medical conditions that require a special diet may incur an extra fee to cover related dietary expenses. Please contact Spanish Studies for additional details.
All fees are in U.S. dollars and based on current exchange rates. Any considerable decrease in the value of the dollar will affect fees.
Internship and Service Learning Summer Program
Upcoming Internship and Service Learning Summer Programs in Alicante, Spain
Summer-long internships allow you to gain professional experience while improving your Spanish. Internships and service learning opportunities allow you access to the work culture and daily life of local citizens, often hidden to students studying abroad, and to more fully integrate into the local culture.
When applying for an internship or service learning project, you have the benefit of specifying what you would like your internship to look like. Spanish Studies will strive to match you with the best available placement to help you integrate into alicantino work culture.
Internships focus upon practical experience in a local business, while service learning projects focus on engagement in the local culture through community service in a local organization. The curricula of the Alicante Internship programs are centered around your individual work experience. Complementary courses help you to work through the linguistic and cultural challenges you may run into while in the field.
Fields of Placement:
Spanish Studies will work hard to match you with an appropriate placement to meet your interests. Students have completed placements in a variety of fields including legal offices, Greenpeace, television production, journalism, education, and more.
Some fields you may want to think of when applying:
- Animal Science/Horses
- Communications
- Community Service
- Education
- Health Services
- International Business
- Information Technology/ Graphic Design
- Museums and Cultural Centers/Fine Art
- Physical Therapy
- Political Science
- Public Relations
- Social Work
- Tourism
Program Features:
- Opportunity to gain professional experience abroad
- Language courses and cultural guidance to support your placement
- Homestays
- Local speaking partners
- All inclusive day-trip travel excursions
- On-Site Resident Director, Housing Coordinator, Computer Technician, and Activities Coordinator
Eligibility:
- Ability to understand normal, rapid Spanish; two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent
- 3.0 GPA in Spanish Language Coursework. Exceptions may be made with strong recommendations from faculty
- A written application for an internship or service learning must be approved by your home institution and received no later than the program application deadline.
To apply to the Internship/Service Learning program click here: apply online
For more information or if you have questions, please contact the Amherst Office: info@spanishstudies.org or (413) 256-0011.
Costs Include
- Tuition
- Double occupancy room & full board
- Laundry
- Local study visits & cultural activities
- Orientation
- Health Insurance
- Spanish Studies transcript
- Support of onsite staff
Special Dietary Needs
- Students with food allergies, intolerances, or other medical conditions that require a special diet may incur an extra fee to cover related dietary expenses. Please contact Spanish Studies for additional details.
All fees are in U.S. dollars and based on current exchange rates. Any considerable decrease in the value of the dollar will affect fees.
Cultural Information
Population: 322,431
Region: Valencia
Currency: Euro
Famous for: Harbor, Santa Barbara Castle, Mediterranean coastal beaches
Alicante, the jewel of the Costa Blanca, is a Mediterranean harbor city rich in history. Its long promenades and endless white beaches have long been guarded by the Castle of Santa Bárbara, perched on top of the Benacantil Mountain. Alicante’s culture, architecture, language, and people have been shaped by the Phoenician, Greek, Roman and Arab traders and conquerors that left their imprint at this crossroads of trading routes over the centuries.
Spanish Daily Routine
Breakfast (Desayuno) is not a major meal, consisting of small amount of food and is generally eaten early in the morning.
Lunch (Almuerzo) is the biggest and most important meal of the day and is generally eaten between 2:00 and 4:00PM.
Dinner (Cena) is a small meal, although more substantial than breakfast and is generally served between 9:00 and 10:00 PM.
Siesta is a time to rest. It starts around 1:30 PM when all the shops begin to close, and lasts until 5:00 PM. Almost all shops are closed during siesta while Spaniards may sleep or watch TV, leaving you no choice but to also relax.
Traditional Spanish Dishes
Paella is a rice dish commonly mixed with a variation of seafood, meat, vegetables, and beans.
Tortilla is a dense omelet full of fried potatoes (sometimes onions or another vegetable as well).
Jamón Serrano is a salted, cured ham that is sliced thin and is typically served either on its own or in a bocadillo (sandwich).
Vegetarians/Vegans
Spanish culture is not particularly vegetarian/vegan friendly due to the importance of ham and other pork products in their diet. While the salads may not be filling, Spain offers delicious breads, cheeses, and vegetables dishes.
How to Dress in Spain
Most Spanish people dress up more than the average American. Young men wear jeans and t-shirts or soccer jerseys, but you’ll also see men wearing nice pants and shoes. Women generally wear very feminine clothing.
To fit in with your surroundings, avoid wearing grubby jeans, sweatshirts, and sneakers. Nice, fitted clothing is what most people wear.
Life Outside the Classroom
Spanish people tend to be very friendly and open. However, you will need to make an effort to introduce yourself. Some of the best ways to do so are by signing up for a local speaking partner, attending cultural activities, or by going to the places Spanish students hang out.
Spanish Studies Abroad wants you to have fun while studying abroad; however, you are expected to meet all of your academic responsibilities. Spanish nightlife is probably unlike the social scene you have experienced in the U.S. The Spanish often plan to go out at midnight or later, which is just the start of the evening. Many friends you meet will stay out until six or seven in the morning, then go straight to breakfast, and rest during siesta.
Excursions
To enhance your cultural experience in Alicante, Spanish Studies Abroad organizes various excursions, study visits and other activities throughout the summer. These activities are coordinated to enhance your class studies and designed to expand your vision Spanish arts and culture. Visits vary by program.
Study visits may include:
- Castle of Santa Bárbara
- Cathedral of San Nicolás and Basilica of Santa María
- Local museums, such as the Bonfires Museum, Museum of Fine Art, and the Museum of Archeology
- Local day trips to locations such as Valencia or Orihuela
In addition, Universidad de Alicante's international students program Centro Superior de Idiomas (CSI) organizes cultural travel for international students attending Universidad de Alicante. For more information, please visit the CSI Website.
Housing Information
Homestay
Cross-Cultural Learning – which is seeing the world as others see it – begins with life outside school. That is why Spanish Studies Abroad offers students the opportunity to live in a Spanish home during their program. Your Spanish home will be the focal point of your social experience– where you will sleep, eat, study, and relax.
This immersion in Spanish language will help you gain an understanding of daily life and customs in Alicante. There too, sharing in family conversations, you begin to learn "unspoken language" – the family values and subtle beliefs that underlie actions.
Your homestay includes full room and board as well as laundry and the cleaning of your room. Special dietary or housing accommodations may be made, but may require an additional fee. To ensure that your home will provide a warm and tranquil atmosphere, one conducive to learning, Spanish Studies staff discusses norms and policies with hosts and regularly inspects the homes.