Spend a full semester at the Universidad de Málaga (UMA), one of Spain's most welcoming institutions for international students, located just five minutes from the beach in the scenic El Palo neighborhood. Whether you're a complete beginner or an advanced Spanish speaker, this program offers a tailored academic experience through UMA's Centro Internacional de Español, which has over 75 years of experience teaching Spanish to foreign students. You'll choose from Spanish language courses spanning levels A1 through advanced, as well as a selection of cultural electives taught in English — giving you maximum flexibility to match your current skills and academic needs.

Academically, you'll enroll in 180–225 contact hours per semester, equivalent to 12–15 U.S. semester credits or 18–22 quarter units. You'll select between 2 and 5 courses depending on contact hours, and course placement is confirmed on-site following a required placement exam. Beginning and intermediate language courses are held alongside other international students, while advanced-level courses and English-taught electives are available exclusively to WorldStrides students, keeping class sizes small and encouraging active participation. Courses span Spanish language, 20th-century literature, Spanish women's history, humanities, social sciences, and more — all taught by host university faculty.

Málaga itself is one of Europe's most vibrant student cities. As the birthplace of Picasso and home to the ancient Alcazaba fortress, world-class museums, palm-lined beaches, and a thriving tapas culture, the city offers an unmatched backdrop for language immersion and cultural discovery. Life here moves at a relaxed Mediterranean pace, making it easy to practice your Spanish in real-world settings — from lively mercados to beachside chiringuitos and local language exchange meetups through UMA's buddy program.

From the moment you arrive, WorldStrides' on-site team supports you every step of the way. You'll be greeted at the airport and welcomed with an in-depth orientation covering city navigation, academic culture, and daily life in Málaga. Throughout the semester, you'll participate in included cultural activities and excursions — think boat rides across Málaga Bay, visits to the Alcazaba, and traditional cooking classes — as well as optional add-on excursions to explore Andalusia and beyond. Mental health support, career resources, 24/7 emergency assistance, and international insurance are all included in your program fee.

Housing options include homestay with a local family for maximum immersion, student residence halls where you'll live alongside international and local students, or independent housing if you prefer to arrange your own accommodation (with a corresponding discount). This program is ideal for undergraduate students at least 18 years old with a minimum 2.5 GPA who want to combine rigorous language study with authentic cultural immersion in one of southern Spain's most dynamic cities.