Should I Study Abroad in Italy or Spain?

Madrid or Rome? Paella or pizza? Churros or gelato? Spain or Italy? If you’re hesitating about whether you should go to Spain or Italy for your study abroad in Europe, we have a piece of good news and a bad one.

Let’s be real—either way, you’ll be living a European fairytale.

Good news: They’re both fantastic places with amazing culture, food, and history and you’re going to have a great experience in both of them.

Bad news: They’re both fantastic places with amazing culture, food, and history and it will be difficult to choose!

While there is no right or wrong answer to whether you should study abroad in Spain or Italy, the experience you will be getting in these two countries would be different. There are some factors you should consider before choosing Spain or Italy for studying abroad, such as the study abroad program itself and the language you want to learn.

Either way, studying abroad will be an unforgettable experience!

Should I study abroad in Spain or Italy?

Spain and Italy are similar on some levels—they’re both European countries that have Latin and Mediterranean cultures. They experience all four seasons and they both have magnificent beaches, picture-perfect mountains, and iconic islands such as Ibiza and Sicily.

Spain is the home of Flamenco music and dance, siesta, paella, sangria, tapas, and contemporary artists like Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali. Major Spanish cities for study abroad include Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, and Malaga. Many students choose to study in these big cities which are also famous for their great student life. In the academic year of 2019-2020, Spain was the most popular study abroad destination for American students.

Spain is popular with international students for many reasons!

Italy is known for being the birthplace of the Renaissance, luxury brands, and of course world-famous food—pizza, pasta, gelato, and many more. Rome, “the eternal city,” is often called an open-air museum since it has many outdoor ruins and beautiful architecture. Rome is not the only big, beautiful city in Italy though; other major cities such as Florence, Milan, Naples, and Turin are all popular among students.

In Italy, you will notice a difference between the northern cities and the southern cities. The north has a stronger economy and more job opportunities while the south is more historical and traditional.

4 pros of studying abroad in Spain

So, in the Spain vs. Italy study abroad discussion, let’s map out everything you have to look forward to as a study abroad student in España.

1. You can learn Spanish (or improve your skills).

Getting tapas and sangria after class is an excellent way to practice Spanish.

Did you know that Spanish is spoken by more than 437 million people in at least 20 different countries in the world? By studying abroad in Spain, you will have the chance to learn Spanish and practice it on a daily basis. Knowing Spanish will make it easier to travel to Latin America as well. Not to mention, as one of the most popular languages in the world, Spanish skills will be a valuable addition to your resume!

2. You’ll get to learn about Spanish culture.

Spaniards are known for being laid-back, taking their time, and simply enjoying life. From having tapas with your friends to going to Spain’s most famous festivals, you will enjoy discovering the Spanish way of life. Many expats and students think that Madrid and Barcelona have the best nightlife in Europe.

3. Spain has a great quality of life.

Spain ranks very high for its quality of life in many lists and surveys online. This is thanks to its affordable healthcare system, reasonable consumer prices, good weather, and a wide variety of things to do. In Spain, there’s a strong expat community and a lot of international students, which makes it easy to meet and connect with like-minded people.

4. There are 300+ programs in English in Spanish universities.

You can easily find study abroad programs in Spain that are taught entirely in English. From accounting, to marketing, to (of course) Spanish language, you’ll have dozens upon dozens of study abroad options to chose from. Plus, it’s also possible to find volunteer opportunities in Spain, as well as internships, in English.

4 pros of studying abroad in Italy

The views in Italy only get better!

Italy has its own major study abroad benefits in contrast to Spain. Let’s take a look at some major pros of Italy as a study abroad destination:

1. You can learn Italian (or improve your skills).

Yep, there’s obviously language-learning opportunities in Italy as well! More than 50 million people in the world speak Italian. Known as one of the most beautiful languages in the world, Italian is a Romance language. This means that it has a similar structure to other Romance languages.

Plus, different regions of Italy utilize additional languages, like German and French. If you have high hopes of being a polyglot, Learning Italian will make learning Spanish, Portuguese, and French much easier.

2. You’ll get to learn about Italian culture.

Italy has influenced many industries in the world, including food, fashion, automotive, and many more. Italians are known for being friendly and family-oriented people who know how to live la dolce vita, aka the sweet life. Having good food, enjoying moments with family, and taking in all the beauty—no matter if it’s ancient ruins in Rome or a street corner in Florence—are all part of dolce vita.

3. Italy has the most UNESCO sites in the world.

The Colosseum is a must-see for anyone new to Italy.

With 58 locations throughout the country, Italy ranks first as the country with the most UNESCO sites. One of these locations, the Colosseum, is also considered one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Italian cities are well-connected by train and you can visit many of these beautiful places by train during your semester or year abroad!

4. There are 300+ programs in English in Italian universities.

Just like in Spain, you can find study abroad programs taught in English in Italy as well. And again, you can most likely find a program that allows you to focus on almost any major! Whether you end up in Spain or Italy, just keep in mind that it’s better to learn some basics of the local language to better immerse yourself in the culture and make the experience smoother (and more meaningful!).

4 differences between Spain vs. Italy study abroad

It’s clear that Spain and Italy have wonderful similarities when it comes to choosing a study abroad experience. To make your decision easier, let’s also take a look at some of their key differences.

1. Spanish and Italian might be similar but they’re two different languages.

Trying to order in Italian at a cafe in Spain won’t get you very far.

Spanish and Italian have many words in common (and knowing one of them would arguably make it easier to learn the other), but don’t forget that Italian and Spanish are not interchangeable. Speaking Spanish to Italians wouldn’t be the best way to make friends with the locals, for example.

Decide which language interests you the most, whether that be for personal, professional, or cultural reasons, and keep that in mind. Even in you end up studying abroad in English, you’ll be exposed to one of these languages on a daily basis, so make sure it’s one that interests you!

2. There are several cultural differences between Spain and Italy.

Spain will be a paradise for those who like seafood. For those who like pastries, Italy would be the perfect place. Both countries have strong coffee cultures but Italians are more strict about it; cappuccinos are reserved for the morning (before 11am), for example. The two countries have different eating cultures as well—Spaniards are known for having super late dinners. Traditionally, dinner is eaten between 9:00 p.m. and midnight.

For that reason, Spain has come to be known for epic nightlife that lasts until sunrise. If you’re not eating dinner until 11:00 at night, the night is comparatively young! That’s not to say you can’t find a similar lifestyle in Italy—but it’s practically a given no matter where you study abroad in Spain.

3. Italy is slightly more expensive than Spain.

As with anywhere in Europe, popular cities come with a bigger price tag.

Both countries use Euros and have similar consumer prices in general. Spain is slightly more expensive when it comes to transport, but for rent, food, shopping, groceries, and entertainment, Italy is slightly more expensive.

This is an important difference to keep in mind if you’ll be studying abroad on a strict budget. In addition, take note that the major cities in both countries (Rome and Madrid, for example) will always be more expensive than smaller cities further off the beaten path.

4. Your study abroad experience will depend on the program as well.

While your host country plays a role in your study abroad experience, one of the most important things to consider is your program and/or university. So besides asking yourself if you should study abroad in Italy or Spain, consider if the programs in each country fit your expectations and career plans.

We recommend doing your research, reading reviews, researching host cities in addition to countries, and learning about the process for obtaining the proper visa and documents. All of this can easily play into your decision between Italy and Spain. The study abroad office at your university, or the program coordinator at your program(s) of interest, should be able to help you tackle all of these factors.

Get matched with 5 study abroad programs in Italy and Spain for FREE

So…where’s your next stop?

Trust us—you can’t pick wrong.

Choosing Spain doesn’t mean that you can never visit Italy, and vice versa. Both countries are in the European Union and in the Schengen Area, which benefits from freedom of movement. So by choosing between Spain vs. Italy to study abroad, you can easily visit the other one during your experience! (As well as many other European countries, of course.)

In general, we can say that Spain is a better choice for those who want to learn Spanish or travel to Latin America later on. It may also be more budget-friendly. For those who want to learn Italian and want to discover Italian culture and history, Italy would be the place to go.

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