Transition Year Spain — Live, Learn and Flourish
Experience Spanish school life, fast-track your language skills and discover a new culture. Choose day or boarding placements from 4 weeks to a full academic year.
Attending a Spanish secondary school is a life-changing experience. Spain’s culture, food, climate and warm community make it the perfect environment to improve your Spanish while living like a local.
Programme Overview — High School in Spain
The Transition Year Spain programme places Irish students (ages 15–17) into established Spanish secondary schools. Each placement is customised to match your interests, language level and location preferences. Stays range from 4 weeks to a full academic year, and we limit the number of Irish students per school to maintain full immersion.
Key Features of the TY Spain Programme
- Individual placement in a Spanish day or boarding school
- Full board accommodation (host family or boarding house)
- All tuition and school fees included
- Local in-country coordinator and 24/7 emergency support
- Airport/train transfers and orientation sessions on request
- End-of-programme certificate
Eligibility for Studying in Spain
You’re a great fit if:
- You are 15–17 years old
- You have studied Spanish for at least 2 years
- You are motivated to speak Spanish and open to new cultural experiences
Top Locations Across Spain
We offer placements in many popular Spanish cities, including:
Madrid • Valencia • Alicante • Seville • Salamanca • Cadiz • Barcelona
Where possible, we guarantee placement in one of your top two location choices.
Day School or Boarding School?
Day School in Spain
- Live with a carefully screened host family
- Breakfast and dinner at home, lunch at school
- Schools usually located within 20 minutes of the host family
- Ideal for those who want a warm family environment
Boarding School in Spain
- Stay at the boarding house Monday–Friday (small dorms)
- Weekends and holidays with the same dedicated host family
- Perfect for students preferring structure and on-site supervision
Spanish Host Families
Our host families are fully screened, experienced and visited regularly by the Local Coordinator. They welcome you into their home, help you adapt, and support your Spanish language progress. Most students create lifelong bonds with their host families.
Application Process
- Initial meeting — Visit our Dublin office or meet via Skype to explore options and ask questions.
- Application — Submit the form, two school reports and a short paragraph in Spanish for your host family.
- School placement — Our partner applies to the school and assigns a matched host family.
- Pre-arrival contact — Students are encouraged to connect with their host family before travel.
- Orientation — Held in Dublin or via Skype covering rules, safety and preparation tips.
- Travel & arrival — You will be greeted at the airport or train station by your host family or Local Coordinator.
Dates & Travel — Full Flexibility
No group departures or fixed dates. Students choose their own travel dates and are placed individually to ensure full immersion. Only 0–3 Irish students from our organisation are placed in any school at the same time.
The longer you stay, the greater your fluency gains. Many students progress significantly after several months.
What’s Included
- Placement in a Spanish day or boarding school
- Full board accommodation
- All tuition fees
- Assigned Local Coordinator in Spain
- Airport or train station greeting and transfer
- Pre-departure orientation
- 24-hour emergency support
- Guidance and assistance throughout your stay
- Completion certificate
Information for Parents
We understand this is a major decision, which is why parents are involved from the start. Safety, support and communication are top priorities. Host families are vetted, emergency procedures are in place and the Local Coordinator serves as your primary point of contact throughout the programme.
How long can I stay?
From 4 weeks to a full academic year. Longer stays usually give better language results.
Can I request a particular location or school?
Yes — we ask for location preferences and aim to place you in one of your top two choices.
Will there be other Irish students at my school?
We limit the number of Irish students per school (usually a maximum of 3–4) to maintain immersion.
Do I need to be fluent in Spanish?
No. You should have at least 2 years of study and be motivated to use Spanish.
What support is available in Spain?
Each student has an assigned Local Coordinator and 24/7 emergency contact.
Can I continue sports or music?
Yes — we try to match placements to your interests so you can keep up with sports, music or other activities.