CIEE-Alicante: Semester in Alicante

Program Details

Program Location Alicante, Spain
Sponsor CIEE
Program Type Co-sponsored
Course # SA 31016
Duration Semester
Upcoming Program Dates
To Be Announced
Page Links
Click here to apply for this program!
Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Overview

CIEE-Alicante: Semester in Alicante

Students applying for semester programs in Spain must have a valid, usable passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for 12 months after the program end date.

ATTENTION:  CIEE will be providing an automatic Trailblazer travel grant toward airfare expenses of up to $1,500 to any Purdue student who participates in this spring or fall 2024 program!

With a historic cultural heritage dating back thousands of years, Alicante is one of Spain’s booming port cities best known for its miles-long beaches, award-winning museums, and beautiful year-round weather. The city’s most iconic landmark, the medieval Castle of Santa Barbara, keeps watch over all of Alicante from its central location atop Mount Benacantil.

A mid-sized city on the Mediterranean coast, Alicante is a thriving cosmopolitan city with multinational corporate headquarters and a developing service industry. Dominating the skyline is the castle of Santa Barbara, an ever-present reminder of the city's ancient Moorish roots. Below are the narrow, winding streets of the historic Santa Cruz district.

Considered one of the safest cities in Europe, Alicante is an excellent place to take your studies. From its large student population to its reliable public transportation network, first-class educational opportunities, green parks, and café culture, this budget-friendly city is the perfect place to live and learn abroad.

The CIEE study center is located at the Universidad de Alicante, one of Spain's newest universities. Established to serve the higher education needs of the province of Alicante, the university offers its 30,000 students the benefits of a modern campus: the most up-to-date research libraries and laboratories, venues for artistic and cultural events and extensive sports facilities.

For more program information, please visit the program website. This program is sponsored by:CIEE.

Eligibility

CIEE-Alicante: Semester in Alicante

Students applying for semester programs in Spain must have a valid, usable passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for 12 months after the program end date.

The program is open to Purdue students in good standing who have completed at least two semesters of university study by the start of the program. Successful candidates will demonstrate academic success, maturity, and a desire to experience another culture.  

For coursework in Spanish at the University of Alicante, it is recommended that students have a minimum of four (preferably five) previous semesters of college-level Spanish.

GPA Requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Language Requirement: none


Purdue Credit

Direct Credit available from the following: [College of Liberal Arts] [Daniels School of Business]

Students interested in completing courses while abroad from Purdue colleges or departments that are not listed above should discuss this with their study abroad advisor before applying to the program.


Academic Program

Students will have the opportunity to diversify their learning with a full range of course offerings from CIEE Alicante and CIEE’s renowned partner institution, the Universidad de Alicante (UA). At CIEE Alicante, courses will focus on business, language, and culture courses. Students can also dive into UA’s diverse course catalog, from business and economics to architecture and telecommunications.

CIEE courses are augmented with co-curricular experiential learning experiences. These may include a cooking and/or wine-tasting session to complement gastronomy-based courses, language exchange activities with local students to practice Spanish, a hike to Santa Bárbara Castle to learn about the role of this strategic 9th c. fortress, a visit to the Archaeological Museum (MARQ) to learn about the city and the region’s history, guided visits to Alicante’s best art museums (MACA and MUBAG), and more.

All students take four to five courses per semester, for a total of 12-18 credits. These courses can be any combination of CIEE and host institution courses (Universidad de Alicante).

More information on academics can be found HERE


Excursions

  • Tour Santa Bárbara Castle and the Archaeological Museum of Alicante
  • Visit important cultural and historical landmarks in Granada, Madrid, Seville, or Valencia
  • Explore sites like Guadalest Castle, the Canelobre Caves, the Algar Waterfalls, or Altea on the Mediterranean coast
  • Go on walking tours of the different neighborhoods of Alicante and its surrounding villages and towns
  • Play soccer and watch the local team (Hercules) win
  • Try your hand at cooking tapas to partake in Alicante’s traditions with local peers

Housing

Homestays: Students live with a Spanish-speaking family, with or without another CIEE student, and immerse themselves in the city’s language and culture. Each student has an individual room. Three meals a day are provided.

Apartments: Students stay in furnished apartments in single or double rooms. Apartments have access to a kitchen and shared common spaces. They are located in safe areas with plenty of shopping and eating options, with direct access to supermarkets, restaurants, and public transport. Meals are not included.

Residence Hall: The off-campus residence halls are typically located near the Universidad de Alicante campus in San Vicente, approximately 40 minutes by bus from the city center. Students who live in the residence hall will be able to walk to campus but should expect to use public transportation to get to and from the downtown area in Alicante.

 


Estimated Program Costs

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss. 

Students should carefully note what costs need to be paid to Purdue University or to a co-sponsor or agency, and what costs need to be paid at the overseas study location.  This will vary by program.

The Program and Housing Fees include: Tuition, on-site orientation, housing, and excursions. Depending on the housing choice, some meals might be included.

Costs for this program are estimated and subject to change. The cost figures listed below are for: Fall 2024

Costs per semester to be billed by Purdue and Co-sponsor
Program Fee $14,256.00
Study Abroad Fee $914.00
Housing $4,500.00
Insurance $194.00

Approximate additional costs per semester
To be paid by the student.
Round-trip Airfare $1,250.00
Local Transportation $150.00
Visa $160.00
Books and Supplies $60.00
Meals $1,040.00
Miscellaneous Personal Expenses $0.00 - $260.00
Travel Documents (passport, photos) $175.00

Financial Aid

ATTENTION:  CIEE will be providing an automatic travel award toward airfare expenses for up to $1,500 to any Purdue student who participates in this fall 2024 program!

CIEE has scholarships available, more information can be found HERE.

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

NOTE:  Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad.  Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.


Application Deadlines

For full consideration, students must submit all supporting documents (typically an essay, transcripts, 1-2 recommendations, and copy of passport) before or by the application deadline.  Popular programs fill quickly, often before the deadline. To ensure a place in a program, apply early.

As soon as a student submits an online application, a My Study Abroad account is created. Applicants should consult this page often to check on the status of the application.

Program Application Deadline
Fall Semester Program Mar 1
Spring Semester Program Sep 1



Returnees Information

CIEE-Alicante: Semester in Alicante

Click below to search for Purdue students who have participated in this program and are willing to be contacted.  If you get no results, you can use the search form to find people who studied in the country you are interested in.


Resources

The websites listed below contain information about this program. The accuracy of information at external sites cannot be guaranteed.


For more information on this program, please contact the Study Abroad Office by phone (765) 494-2383 or email studyabroad@purdue.edu.