Into Spain Studenten Brochure

Spain Program 2025/26

Information

Why you should choose Spain

Spain is one of Europe’s most fascinating countries. It is a country full of history (Cristopher Columbus), Culture (Picasso), folklore (Seville Fair in April), amazing architecture (Gaudi’s house in Barcelona) and breathtaking monuments (The Alhambra in Granada, Seville’s immense Gothic Cathedral second only to the Vatican, The Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona, The Arab Mosque in Cordoba), and religious pilgrimages like the Saint James Way to Santiago de Compostela or the truly emotional Holy Week Celebrations that take place in every town and village in March each year.

The people of Spain are some of the kindest, happiest and optimistic people in all of Europe. They are hugely welcoming to international students and visitors and will always make students feel at home. Madrid is the majestic capital of Spain and Malaga is a beautiful coastal port town in the south. Both Malaga and Alicante are in Andalusia, a region that has a wonderfully warm yearround climate and a palpable energy that students won’t want to leave.

Reasons to study and live in Spain

Spain is a culturally rich country with exceptionally beautiful architecture. A lot of it was influenced by the 800 years of Moorish occupation that brought development to the country and various influences like music, culture and gastronomy. The Moors introduced new scientific techniques such as an astrolabe, a device for measuring the position of the stars and planets. Scientific progress in Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Geography and Philosophy flourished in Moorish Spain. At its height, Córdoba, the heart of Moorish territory in Spain, was the most modern city in Europe.

In the 15th Century Spain was a fighting force with an impressive Armada, a pioneering nation led by kings and queens whose history is speckled by adventurers such as Christopher Columbus and other explorers who discovered the new world and brought their civilisation and religion to many parts of the globe.

In more recent times, partially due to a wretched Civil War and harsh political changes, for decades Spain was a forgotten southern European country, considered little more than a place for holidays in the sun and a route to Africa.

Nowadays Spain is a leading economic and political force in Europe. It is a country of 17 autonomous regions and two autonomous cities, Melilla and Ceuta, each with its own government and identity.

Spanish School system The Spanish school system is compulsory and free and is governed by Spanish law. It is an excellent system with the involvement of parents on every level. There are public schools, private schools and “concertado” schools, which receive some government funding. The system is divided into primary-education Primaria (6-12) and secondary education ESO (12-16) and High School - Bachillerato (16-18). Most high schools also have a vocational training track parallel to Bachillerato, called FP (Formación Profesional) where students take subjects that prepare them for employment, rather than going to university. This has been a priority for the Spanish government in recent years to avoid unemployment amongst young people. This attractive track is also open for international students.

The school system can be divided into 3 sections: grades 1-6 or elementary, grades 710 or secondary and grades 11 and 12 or High School. Compulsory subjects in year 11 are Spanish language and literature, English, philosophy, physical education and religion or ethics. Spanish language and literature, English, history and also religion or ethics are subjects in the 12th grade. Optional subjects: natural sciences (physics, chemistry, geography), arts (graphics, drawing, art history and design), technical knowledge (technical drawing, chemistry, electronics) and social studies subjects (modern history, Greek, Latin, philosophy, statistics). A typical school day starts at 8am and ends at 2pm. The school year starts around mid-September and lasts until mid-June, and the academic year is divided into three trimesters. The normal teaching period ends at the end of April and the beginning of May, and students have time to prepare for university entrance exams. Depending on the region and the school students either go home to eat for lunch or stay at the school cafeteria.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS Into offers Inspiring academic year programs of different lengths all over Spain. You will study the academic year in a diligent, demanding and quality educational system either in a Spanish Secondary School (ESO), a High School (BACHILLERATO) or in a Professional Training Program (FP). All one school year programs in summer start with a Welcome Camp in Malaga or Madrid.

CLASSIC PROGRAM You will be placed in any region of Spain with a carefully chosen host family, who will be delighted to share their home and way of life with students. Spanish families spend a lot of their leisure time doing family activities, especially at weekends. Typical activities are family sports, paddle tennis, hiking, sailing etc. Many families have country residences and host Sunday lunches there with their friends. You will always be included in these activities as a member of the family.

SELECT PROGRAM You can choose between different regions and/or cities: The region of ANDALUSIA is full of beautiful white villages (los pueblos blancos) with narrow streets steeped in the history of the peaceful coexistence of Christians, Jews and Arabs during centuries. Frigiliana is a perfect example of this peaceful coexistence and the walls of this lovely village are covered with the symbols of the Christian cross, the Muslim moon and the Hebrew star of David. In Andalusia there are major cities like SEVILLA, which has one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in the world, with an incalculable art and silver collection.

Close by to the coastal FRIGILIANA is MORA, a little white village that offers one of the loveliest water cascades in Spain with its famous kayaking school. HERRADURA another beautiful little beach village has one of the best diving schools in Europe. All these places can easily be visited for students placed in MALAGA. Or they may choose an inland city like ZARAGOZA with its spectacular riverside Cathedral that leaves everyone speechless. MADRID is the historic and cosmopolitan Bourbon capital of Spain and home to the federal government and the hugely successful Madrid football team. BARCELONA is the coastal city home to its famous Barca football club. A city dominated by its coastline and myriad international water sports and the heritage of the famous architect Antonio Gaudí. MALAGA is a charming coastal city with a rich cultural life: classical music enjoyed in little gems of theatres. Students can follow the Malaga football club, learn to dance sevillanas or understand the art of flamenco dance and voice, visit Picasso’s birthplace and enjoy the Carmen Thyssen gallery, whose big sister is in Madrid. VALENCIA with its Arts and Sciences city and ALICANTE with its beautiful beaches and islands are two beautiful coastal cities that are ideal for international student stays.

APPLY NOW

INTO’s SPECIAL PROGRAMS into’s special Sports and Arts Programs were developed exclusively by into for young people with special talents that they want to develop further parallel to their academic year program. Our special programs are divided into two categories: SPORTS and the ARTS. If you have a good level of FOOTBALL the Real Club de Futbol in Malaga has a fine program for international cadets. In Alhaurin de la Torre ( a beautiful village 10 minutes from the centre of Malaga and equidistance from the airport), we work with a Kings League Football program for younger students. We also offer a combined academic and BASKETBALL program in Palencia a beautiful city in Extremadura close to historic and delightful Caceres, the capital. Gor budding TENNIS players Rafal Nadal’s Tennis Academy in Manacor on the island of Mallorca is a world renowned training program for young tennis players.

In addition, Malaga offers several excellent MUSIC CONSERVATORIES for those students who do not wish to leave their instruments at home, as well as wonderful local ART SCHOOLS for those students who are Picasso fans. We also offer KAYAKING, PADDLE TENNIS, HORSE RIDING, DANCE, FLAMENCO and SINGING. Please enquire for any programs not listed here. The places in these SPECIAL PROGRAMS are limited and only reserved for students with genuine proven abilities and written assessment by their coach or teacher. A further requirement is a short 3 minute video where the applicant is performing the discipline he or she has chosen. For these programs we choose host families who are prepared to take on the higher care and maintenance duties that might be required.

WELCOME CAMP Our Welcome Camp is included in all one year programs starting in summer. It takes place in Madrid or Malaga and consists of an exciting mixture of fun activities and learning about the Spanish culture and language. It is a great way to meet other students from different countries and backgrounds and to have a succesful start into the exchange program.

CLASSIC PROGRAM SERVICES INCLUDED Transfer: Airport - Host Family - Airport Accommodation at chosen host family - full board Single room guarantee School registration process Residential registration Welcome briefing Welcome camp in Madrid or Malaga for one year program starting in summer Local coordinator assistance 24/7 Emergency number

NOT INCLUDED Transport to school Flight Pocket money Excursions School uniform (required in some schools) Fees for sport clubs etc.

School materials

SELECT PROGRAM Same as Classic Program plus regional or city choice included.

Cities and regions: Palencia Zaragoza

Caceres

Barcelona

Madrid

Valencia Alicante

Malaga

SPECIAL SPORTS AND ARTS PROGRAM

Same as Classic full school year Program plus placement and registration for sports or art program on an individual basis. Fees for membership are separate and have to be paid directly.

Sports (examples): Football Tennis Basketball Kayaking Horse Riding Paddle Tennis Dance Flamenco

Music & Arts Singing, acting, playing an instrument, painting, sketching...numerous possibilities in conservatories and art schools, selected on an individual basis and assessment.

Excursions: JEREZ & SEVILLA In Andalusia there are major cities like SEVILLA which has one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in the world, with an incalculable art and silver collection.

1,5 hours south from SEVILLA is JEREZ. Here students can visit the Real Escuela de Equitacion of Jerez (the Royal School of Equitation ) this is where the beautiful white Spanish horses are bred and trained unparalleled anywhere in the world.

GRANADA & CORDOBA GRANADA has a rich and diverse history with its breathless Alhambra and world class universities, theatres and museums.

CORDOBA’S Mezquita with its massive Silver Catholic Cathedral rising up among the Muslim arches of the Mosque quite takes your breath away.

More information?

Into Study Exchanges The Netherlands Grote Voort 293-A 8041 BL Zwolle highschool@into-education.nl +31 (0)73 594 1435 https://www.into-highschool.nl/highschool/spanje/