Academics abroad… where do we even start? Before my study abroad journey, I was curious about this—and am hoping to provide some insight into what this looks like in my case. Through conversations with different people who had gone abroad, I had heard that the study abroad workload was light—to allow people to travel and explore their host country. But… we’re still going to official universities, right? We still have to take actual classes, do in-class and out-of-class assignments, and have VERY real exams, right? 

Our first campus tour upon landing in Alicante!! This tour of the University of Alicante was super quick but gave us good insight into the general layout of campus.  

A photo of some of my notes and homework assignments, seen in my textbook on the right-hand side! Along with the ever-present snack of fresh fruit, I typically complete my homework in the afternoon after class, or the morning beforehand.  

The answer, at least in my case, to all these normal questions to ask is yes!! Let's start big and then get specific. Firstly, I go to a very real university! The University of Alicante has roughly 30,000 students enrolled and is bustling with students going to class every day of the week. Personally, I am enrolled in the Spanish Intensive Program at the UA. This means that I take one Spanish class a month, every day, from 9 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. At the end of the month, all students take an exam to pass the class, as well as progress into the next, higher level of Spanish for the following month.  

My roommates during our tram ride to class! The trams are typically very full, but this lovely morning we happened to get seats and were able to enjoy the sunrise as we passed the beach! 

This photo was taken as we were walking through the campus of UA, during the first day of our new-and-improved Spanish classes! We had just had a slow weekend off from school after passing our first month of classes :) 

Within my program, we go through about six different chapters, or units, in our textbook per month. As you can guess, squeezing six units into four weeks is a whirlwind! The professors do a great job at breaking the units down into the main points and giving us homework to complete in our own time and then reinforcing that new knowledge with in-class activities. These range from discussions in pairs, fun games in small groups, and whole class conversations to practice our conversational skills, as well as newly learned grammar.  

While learning how to repeat commands or quotes from another person in an activity, my classmate was ordered to draw his best cow on the chalkboard. Honestly, I give it a 7/10 for all the added details! What do you think? 

Me sitting down to get a head start on my homework right after lunch! Joining me are my Valentine’s Day flowers, which were a super sweet touch to the productive workday! 

When people ask how hard my program is, it can be hard to give a clear answer. I say this because I have class for three hours every morning—with a 15-minute break right in the middle. This makes it, as the name of my program implies—somewhat intense! BUT… then my day is all free!! Aside from a maximum of an hour of homework (if we get a written composition to complete, or a few textbook assignments that take longer), my day is entirely free after I get home from school around 12:30 or 1:00 p.m.  

Another day, another beautiful walk through the campus of the University of Alicante! Fun fact… La Rabassa airfield used to be located here. You see the control center that graces the middle of campus? 

My roommate is getting some study and work time before our typical afternoons spent outside going on walks or runs! Right after school is a great time for us to get our work done so that we can go enjoy the sun and evening with each other.  

A photo of my homework assignments for one day! This was on the heavier end of typical homework but turned out to be fun! I learn really well by doing an assignment and then getting a chance to correct it—which is homework #1 here! 

You have to remember that your program is what you make it! While I may only have around four hours of Spanish learning every day, I then have to make the choice to actually practice and immerse myself in my community. For me, the biggest learning opportunity has come from outside the classroom—namely through listening to Sunday sermons in Spanish at a local church!  

Iglesia Cristiana en Alicante—the church that I attend and learn from, namely by listening to their sermons entirely in Spanish, as well as meeting new members that attend every week!  

All in all, the academics are very real, but very doable! It’s up to each student to find the rhythm and balance that works best to suit the itinerary they want while abroad!