What type of accommodation?

What type of accommodation can you choose at a language school? You have to live somewhere, and finding something you are comfortable with is very important.

Remember, if you are not content, you can ask for a change. When that’s been said, I haven’t heard of much trouble. I lived in tiny room, and couldn’t care less. Most schools also put a lot of emphasis on selecting suitable families. Well, enough general talk, let’s look at the options!

There is no doubt about it; living with a family will give you the ultimate Spanish immersion. If you choose a full board, this means that you will share three meals with the family – each day. You will have to talk Spanish. And you will undeniably learn a lot about Spanish culture – you will interact and can experience everything first hand.

If you don’t want a full board, you can opt for either a half board or breakfast only. Often it can be smart to choose the half board instead of the full board, since the third meal easily can crash with activities taking place at the school (and you’ll get no refund if that happens).

Some find it a bit too intense to live with a family, although if you can take it, this can surely be an experience for ever. Many stay in touch for years afterwards. Chose to have your own private room, and things should be fine.

A “shared apartment” means that you will share an apartment with, normally, 1-3 other students. You, the students, will seldom live there alone though. The Spanish owner(s) will also live there, something which means increased possibilities for practicing your Spanish.

Although this doesn’t provide a Spanish immersion that is equally as intensive as living with a Spanish host family, you can have some more privacy and it is an excellent way to get to know your fellow students.

Normally you will also be able to practice Spanish with the other students, since most language schools in Spain take care to ensure that you aren’t placed in an apartment with other people from your own country (which often would mean that you’d speak Swedish together if you are from Sweden for instance).

Accommodation in the form of a shared apartment comes without any board plan and is the lowest priced accommodation. Even though there is no board plan, you have full access to a kitchen where you can prepare your own meals – and groceries are not expensive in Spain.

Many schools also have the option of living in a student residence. This may then be the student residence of the local university where the school can rent out some rooms, or it could be the school’s own residence. Here you can have the opportunity of living close to lots of students, something which makes it very social and easy to get to know people.

This type of accommodation will very often come with an option of a board plan (breakfast, half board, or full board). Price wise, it is normally more expensive than sharing an apartment, but not as costly as living with a family.

If you want to have maximum independence and privacy, most schools can provide you (and your spouse/friends) with a private apartment. Depending on what you need you can choose between a studio (one-room apartment), two rooms (bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom), three rooms or four rooms.

Just imagine yourself coming home after school, fixing yourself something to drink while relaxing on your terrace facing the Mediterranean in Marbella or Malaga for example…. Life could be worse ?

Most schools have agreements with selected hostels and hotels so if this is your preferred accommodation they will book a room for you. Or, since there are virtually thousands and thousands of hostels and hotels in Spain, you can also do it yourself. Using an online reservation service works perfectly, if you want to keep it simply.

Next Page: Activites and Cultural Programs at Spanish Language Schools in Spain