High School exchange in Spain

Experience life as a Spanish student in Spain! You’ll live with a welcoming Spanish host family and attend classes in a public, semi-private or private Spanish high school, sharing daily routines and traditions. This is a true cultural and linguistic immersion designed to help you grow personally and academically.

Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, and studying abroad in Spain is the most effective way to master it. A long-term exchange gives you the chance to practice every day, in class, at home, and with friends, until speaking Spanish feels completely natural. After just a few weeks, you might even catch yourself dreaming in Spanish!

Our study abroad programs open the door to Spanish culture, language, and unforgettable experiences. Become bilingual and build memories that will last a lifetime!

Study Abroad in a Spanish High School

Would you like to experience daily life as a Spanish teenager? With Nacel, international students can join a local secondary school in Spain for different durations:

• a full academic year (September–June),
• one semester,
• one term,
• or even shorter immersion programs from 4 to 10 weeks.

Program Benefits

• Total immersion: live with a caring Spanish host family and attend school just like local students.
• Full support: guidance from your host family, a local coordinator, and our professional team, with a 24/7 emergency hotline.
• Affordable program fees: making it easier to embark on a life-changing academic and cultural adventure.
• Cultural richness: discover Spain beyond tourism—its heritage, architecture, cuisine, landscapes, and Mediterranean lifestyle.
• Personal growth: become truly bilingual and bicultural, while gaining maturity, independence, and intercultural skills that will prepare you for a global future.

How Spanish High School works

Students usually take 10–12 subjects per week:

• In 10th grade, most subjects are compulsory with the option to add two electives.
• In 11th and 12th grade, students choose a specialization track: Science & Technology, Social Sciences, Humanities, or sometimes Arts. These grades prepare students for the Bachillerato diploma (ages 16–18).
• Classes typically run from 8:00 am to 2:00 or 3:00 pm, with some schools adding optional afternoon lessons.

Recognition of Studies Abroad

If you need your grades from Spain to be validated back home, it’s essential to prepare in advance:

• Inform your Nacel counselor about the classes you need to take.
• Meet with your school counselor in your home country to confirm credit requirements.
• Remember: your level of Spanish will influence your ability to earn credits, so start strengthening your language skills as soon as you enroll.
  If credits are not required, your experience will be recognized as a gap year abroad, highly valued in academic and professional paths.

Looking for a shorter stay? Choose a 4 to 10-week program and still enjoy a rich immersion with a host family and local high school.

Daily life during your High School exchange in Spain

Being an exchange student in Spain is much more than attending school; it’s about living the authentic daily routine of a Spanish teenager.

A typical school day

Morning: Start with a light breakfast before heading to class at 8:00 am. After the first few lessons, enjoy a short break with your classmates—lunchtime in Spain is much later, around 3:00 pm! Classes usually finish between 2:00 and 3:00 pm.

Lunch: Return home to share the main meal of the day with your host family.

Afternoon: Split your time between homework, sports, or extracurricular activities. Some schools offer after-school sports, while many students join local clubs.

Evening: Dinner is a family event, giving you time to bond with your hosts, practice Spanish, and experience local customs.

Weekends in Spain

Spend time with your host siblings, go shopping, catch a movie, or join friends for cultural and social activities. This balance of school, family, and social life makes your exchange a complete cultural immersion.
The High School exchange in Spain allows you to study, make new friends, practice your hobbies, and experience everyday life as a Spanish teenager.

Living with a Spanish Host Family

As part of the high school exchange in Spain, students live with a carefully selected Spanish host family. Families are chosen based on their living conditions, motivations, and interest in cultural exchange. To ensure the best match, we take into account both the family’s profile and the student’s application form; so preparing your host family letter and photos thoughtfully is highly recommended.

Spanish host families are known for their warm hospitality and enthusiasm for sharing their culture. This program is truly an immersion, where students not only live with their host parents and siblings but often get to know extended relatives such as grandparents and cousins.

Life with your host family:

• Join family outings, trips, and celebrations.
• Contribute to household responsibilities.
• Enjoy full-board accommodation, including packed lunches for school days.

Throughout the program, a local coordinator is available at all times to support both the student and the host family, ensuring a smooth and enriching experience.
Staying with a host family gives students the chance to practice Spanish daily, embrace new traditions, and experience the warmth of family life in Spain.

How to apply for a High School Exchange in Spain?

The application procedure is straightforward and takes place in six steps:

• Initial Interview – A conversation with you and your family helps us assess your eligibility for the program.
• Application Forms – After confirming your booking, you’ll receive the necessary forms. These must be completed carefully and returned to us by email in PDF format.
• Program Acceptance – Once your application is approved, we will issue your official acceptance and begin working on your placement.
• Placement Confirmation – Details of your host family and school placement will be arranged and shared with you.
• Visa Support – If a visa is required, we’ll guide you through the process and provide a step-by-step visa application guide.
• Travel & Arrival – You finalize your flights, and we coordinate your airport pick-up and transfer to your host family or school.

With Nacel’s guidance at every stage, your exchange journey to Spain begins smoothly and with full support.

High School Exchange program in Spain

Our exchange program offers international students several flexible options to experience life in a Spanish high school:

• Full academic year: from September to June.
• Semester program: five months, starting in September or January.
• Trimester program: three months, beginning in September or January.
• Short-term stay: combine a homestay with classes in a local high school for up to 10 weeks.
  

El precio incluye

• Application and administrative costs.
• Placement in a host school and participation in the local orientation program.
• Accommodation with a host family on a full-board basis, or boarding school housing with all meals (for the British boarding school option).
• Airport reception and transfer to the host family or boarding school from the nearest designated airport.
• Continuous support from local staff, plus a 24/7 emergency hotline throughout your stay.
• Comprehensive insurance package covering medical care, liability, and emergency repatriation.
  

El precio no incluye

• International round-trip airfare.
• Optional insurances (such as lost luggage or flight delays).
• Costs related to visas, passports, or medical examinations.
• Extra fees charged by private schools, including optional language classes.
• School-related expenses: textbooks, lab materials, lockers, yearbooks, trips, class rings, jackets, or student activity fees.
• Daily local transportation between your home and school.
• Additional leisure activities like sports clubs, excursions, or cultural outings.
• Airport transfers outside the official program dates or from airports not designated by the program.
• Personal expenses and pocket money.
  

To join a high school exchange in Spain, students must already have at least two years of Spanish language study (minimum A2 level). In addition, participants should demonstrate the personal maturity needed to adapt successfully to this type of program.

We look for students who show:

• Genuine curiosity for the Spanish language and culture.
• A strong motivation to become part of a host family’s daily life and share experiences openly.
• Enthusiasm for developing their Spanish communication skills.
• Willingness to build friendships within their new school and community.
• An open mind and flexible attitude to embrace the challenges and rewards of a school year abroad.