Pros, Cons of Alicante?

Question

I'm having major problems with my study abroad program and am now considering studying abroad in Alicante, Spain and I would love some feedback on this city. I don't have a specific question, but general feedback on what you like/dislike about Alicante (especially in contrast to Seville, if possible) would be extremely helpful! Thanks so much!!!

Answer 1

I did some Graduate work at University of Colorado.  Everyone who had travelled to Spain had studied at Alicante.  The program they went on was a very good one, but it is conducted at one of those institutes.  

I, personally, studied in Seville. (during my undergraduate studies at a different school).  I wouldn't trade my experience for a million dollars!!!  I loved Seville (but I would have to say the same was true of everyone who had studied in Alicante, as well.  Wherever you go becomes your second home, if things go well, and you will probably love either city).  The main reason I chose Seville, was because the program offered to me was that of studying right there at the University of Seville, NOT at a language institute.  My impression of such schools was, and still is, that one goes to class, then leaves, with all their American classmates, to go on to their American groups, and tend not to mix in that much with the Spaniards.  I wanted the better immersion of having the opportunity to take classes WITH Spanish students, on the same level as they did.  And I took advantage of that opportunity, and it was some of the better part of my experience.

The thing I ran up against, though, at CU, was that the Director of the Spanish Department, when I told him proudly of my experience, looked at me with massive disdain, and gave me lower credit for my year I had studied anyplace else.  I got the complete "people from Andalucía are just partiers and lazy" attitude from this Madrileño snob.  

Of course, I had NO respect, whatsoever for the head of the Department, and none of my professors seemed to share his view.

If you want more details on Seville, (I've never even set foot in Alicante, so I can't tell you any more than the third-hand report that the kids who had been there loved it), email me.

Answer 2

My family lives there. It's very nice. Its really small, but that's just the part of the city I visit yearly. They have very nice beaches there, too