Study Abroad Programs Schools and Programs in The United States

Study Abroad Programs Studies in The United States

Study abroad programmes let students enrolled at a college or university spend a summer, a semester or a full academic year studying in another country while earning credit towards their degree at home. The schools listed under this subject are US organisations that run such programmes: university study abroad offices, independent providers and consortia. Many of them have centres in Spain, and several run programmes in Madrid, Barcelona, Salamanca, Toledo and Valencia.

How the programmes are organised

There are three main models:

• University-run programmes, run by a college's own study abroad office, such as Boston University Study Abroad, which lists more than 150 programmes and over 2,300 students abroad each year
• Independent providers, non-profit or private organisations that run centres abroad and recruit students from many US colleges, such as the American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), Academic Programs International (API) or Sol Education Abroad
• Consortia of member universities, such as the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), a non-profit since 1982 with more than 50 programmes in 26 countries

Academic credit is the key question. Programmes either teach their own courses at a study centre, enrol students directly at a local university, or combine both. Credit is usually issued through a US "school of record": USAC courses, for example, are approved by universities in Nevada and Idaho that are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, and its semester programmes require 12 to 18 credits. Courses taken at partner universities abroad are accredited by the host country's ministry of education or equivalent. Students should confirm with their own college, before departure, how the credits will be counted.

Programmes in Spain

Spain is one of the main destinations of the organisations listed here. Examples include IES centres in Madrid, Barcelona and Salamanca, the University of Minnesota's International Program in Toledo, the University of Virginia's Hispanic Studies in Valencia, City College of San Francisco's Semester in Madrid and the Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain. The Hamilton programme, now in its 53rd session, combines small classes with direct enrolment in Madrid universities and housing with host families; participants pledge to speak only Spanish, in and out of class, and the programme is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE). Other providers combine Spain with Latin America: Sol Education Abroad runs programmes in Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico.

Visa for Spain

According to the Consulate General of Spain in New York, study stays of less than 90 days do not need a study visa (a short-stay visa may be required for some nationalities). For longer programmes, students apply at the consulate responsible for the area where their US college is located, between 6 months and 2 months before the programme starts. Applicants must show proof of acceptance, proof that fees are paid (payment through the home institution in the US is accepted), funds equivalent to at least 100% of Spain's IPREM income indicator and health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000. Requirements change, so check the page of the relevant consulate.

Costs and funding

Programme fees vary widely depending on length, housing and what is included, so compare what each fee covers: tuition, housing, meals, excursions and insurance. Many organisations offer their own scholarships; USAC, for example, reports more than $1.5 million in financial assistance each year. The US Department of State also funds study abroad through the Gilman and Critical Language Scholarship programmes for US students.

Why study abroad

Beyond language skills, study abroad adds international work and study experience to a degree. Boston University reports that 66% of its students intern while abroad. Research by the Forum on Education Abroad, a non-profit organisation for the field, found that students who studied abroad earned on average $4,159 more in their first job.

Frequently asked questions

Can I join a US study abroad programme if I am not enrolled at a US college?

The programmes are designed mainly for students at US colleges and universities, who earn credit through a school of record. Some accept students from other institutions; check the eligibility rules of each programme.

Do I need a visa to study in Spain on a US programme?

Not for stays of under 90 days, although some nationalities need a short-stay visa. For a semester or a year, apply for a student visa at the Spanish consulate responsible for your college's area, between 6 and 2 months before departure.

Will my credits count towards my degree?

Usually, if your home college approves the courses in advance. Credits are issued by a US school of record or a recognised host university, and the home college decides how they apply to the degree.