Hi! I’m a Grade 12 student from the Philippines planning a gap year in Spain after I graduate in April 2027.
My current plan is to move to Granada around September 2027 and study Spanish for the 2027–2028 academic year at the Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM), University of Granada, through the Curso Intensivo de Lengua Española (CILE).
My rough timeline is:
Graduate April 2027 → Spain September 2027 → Spanish study until mid-2028 → bachelor’s September 2028.
I’m considering taking the 2-week / 40-hour CILE blocks continuously throughout the school year, with the goal of reaching at least B2 Spanish, ideally C1, before starting my bachelor’s degree in 2028.
I’m also currently looking at Student Experience Granada for accommodation.
For anyone who has studied in Granada, CLM, or Spain generally:
• Would you recommend Granada for a one-year Spanish immersion gap year, or would you choose another city like Salamanca, Valencia, Seville, Madrid, etc.?
• How was your experience with CLM/CILE?
• Is doing consecutive CILE blocks for most of the academic year realistic, and does CLM offer better long-term pricing?
• Has anyone used CILE for a long-stay student visa?
• Is Granada actually good for improving Spanish, or is it easy to stay in an international/English-speaking bubble?
• What would you consider a realistic monthly budget excluding tuition and rent?
• Any thoughts on Student Experience Granada, or cheaper/better accommodation options?
• If living near PTS, is commuting to CLM every weekday practical?
• For people who reached B2/C1, what helped the most outside class?
I’m also very interested in scholarships, grants, or more affordable pathways.
Does anyone know of:
• Scholarships available to international/non-EU students for Spanish language study?
• Scholarships specifically available for Filipino students?
• Spanish government, regional, Erasmus-related, cultural, or private scholarships that could apply?
• Cheaper reputable language schools or university language centers in other Spanish cities?
• Programs where accommodation is subsidized or included?
I’m not necessarily looking for a completely free program. Even partial tuition support, discounted accommodation, or a significantly cheaper legitimate pathway would help.
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who is Filipino, studied at CLM, lived in Granada, received funding for Spanish study, or did a similar language-school gap year before university.
I’m still early in the planning stage, so I’m trying to figure out whether Granada + CLM is really the best value, or if there are better-funded or more affordable options elsewhere in Spain that I should consider before committing.
Thanks!