Alicante Cultural Activities

Rutas Alicantinas

Rutas Alicantinas are short fun tours around Alicante and its province. Designed to acquaint students with the city, they will have the opportunity to experience Alicante, its surroundings, traditions, festivities and resources first-hand.

Stops along the "Rutas" may include visits to:

La Vila and el Museo del Chocolate: La Villajoyosa or “La Villa” as the locals call it, means “Jewelled Town”, which is famous for its brightly colored houses and its outstanding chocolate. Students will visit the oldest and one of the most important chocolate factories in Spain, which has long been the economic core of the city. Today, it is still an exporter of fine chocolates.

El Campello: a fisherman town located 7 km down the Costa Blanca from Alicante’s downtown. During the tour, students will pass through Paseo Maritimo and La Lonja (port) where live fish trades take place. Other sites of interest in El Campello include the watch tower built in 1554 to protect against invasions and a visit to La Isleta, a small peninsula that houses Iberian and Greek remains.

Elche: the 3rd most populated city in the Alicante Province. Elche is home to the largest palm grove in Europe, containing more than 11,000 palm trees. The Palm Grove of Elche also plays host to the sacred representation of the “Mystery of Elche”, a liturgical drama from the Middle Ages, which combined together has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A must see for those who love history and old traditions.

Water Sports on the Mediterranean

Sailing, Kayaking, Windsurfing: Alicante’s history has always been connected to the sea. Take full advantage of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea via the Escuela de Vela Mediterranea. Students will be introduced to various water sports such as windsurfing, sailing, and canoeing. All you need is a bathing suit, sunscreen, and lots of energy!

Curso Vela Ligera: Take full advantage of the beautiful Mediterranean Sea via the Escuela de Vela Mediterranea’s Beginning Sailing course. Students participating in this course will learn to assemble a light sailing boat, sailing theory, boat operation and basic sailing maneuvers. This course is taught in four, 2.5 hour sessions.

Please note that an additional fee will apply to this course.

Cultura del Vino en Alicante

Winemaking, a long-standing tradition across the Comunidad Valencia region has been around for hundreds of years. La Bodega Seleccion, a local wine cellar hosts an introduction to viticulture and enology. Participants will learn how a good wine is produced, step by step from the grape groves to the barrel. The workshop will conclude with instruction on how to properly taste wine in order to appreciate the different nuances each wine offers, and of course, the opportunity to taste some of the finest wines produced in Alicante.

Cultural Enrichment Series

Students can complement their academic experience by registering on-site for a wide range of cultural enrichment opportunities at the University of Alicante through PIC- Punto the Informacaion Cultural. This is a great way to meet locals and explore specific areas of interest by joining any of the workshops and seminars organized on campus. Past courses have included:

• Introduction to Documentary Production
• Theatre Flamenco Guitar
• Flamenco Percussion
• Improvisation and Composition Guitar Techniques
• Photojournalism
• Creative Photography

Please note that an additional fee will apply to all Cultural Enrichment Series.

CEA Cultural Enrichment Course: Cultura Gastronómica Española

Without a doubt, one of Spain’s main attractions is its world-renowned gastronomy. In collaboration with the Centro Superior de Idiomas de la Universidad de Alicante, CEA is excited to offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Spanish culture through gastronomy. The course will combine several site visits, lectures from professionals, as well as cooking lessons where students will put into practice some of the techniques learned to prepare authentic Spanish dishes and tapas.

Please note that an additional fee will apply to all Cultural Enrichment courses.

Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering abroad is a smart way to engage with your host culture and community. Expand your vocabulary and meet local Alicantinos while helping others. Students can volunteer in several areas, such as animal shelter, homeless shelters, with children, just to name a few! Not only is this a great way to become immersed in the language and culture of Alicante, it is an opportunity to help others. Potential volunteer sites include the following:

Volunteer with children experiencing health problems through ASPANION, an association for parents who have children with cancer. Founded in 1985, ASPANION was created to increase awareness about the needs of these children and their families. After settling into life in Alicante students will visit the ASPANION office, located in the General Hospital where they will meet and interview with the staff. Upon acceptance, students will spend a time in the General Hospital with these children and may be able to accompany members of the association on activities and trips. Volunteer hours at the Hospital Monday to Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Asoka el Grande is a non-profit organization whose main goal is to denounce the abandonment and mistreatment of animals. Asoka el Grande promotes the well being of animals and manages adoptions through their center in Alicante. Every year, about 70 animals are picked by this organization given a second lease on life. CEA Students can volunteer at the Animal Shelter performing such tasks as dog walking, feeding the animals, helping maintain its installations, and administering medication. Asoka el Grande is a well established organization in the Valencian Region and continues to expand their network in the Alicante province.

Teaching English

CEA Alicante in collaboration with Canterbury English has designed a practical seminar where CEA students will learn the methodology and basic techniques of teaching English as a foreign language to Spanish children. Upon completion of the seminar, CEA students will receive a Canterbury Teach English Workshop Diploma. CEA staff will assist students with finding appropriate teaching placements. This is a great, fun way to gain practical experience, develop teaching skills, and build your résumé.

Language Exchange Program/Intercambios

CEA will facilitate the first meeting and make the introduction to Spanish college students; students are encouraged to find a partner and exchange contact information so that other meetings can be arranged to practice language skills. This is a great way to meet locals and to be immersed in the culture. Intercambios take place several times during the semester; they are usually organized in the evening between 5:00 and 6:00 PM at ESATUR School and the Official Languages School. Finally, students can arrange individual meetings through our One on One Intercambio Program.