And we will try our best to accommodate your individual needs.

ISLA attaches considerable importance to this issue. To get the most out of your time at school, you need to feel relaxed and comfortable at home.

ISLA's accommodation department has devised a thorough vetting procedure for selection of suitable families, flats, apartments and residences. Student evaluations and suggestions form a valuable part of our follow-up procedure in order to ensure that this part of the program receives consistently good feedback.

Host family

A home-stay is a unique opportunity to improve your Spanish outside the classroom and to engage with local life. It is quite natural to feel a little shy or unsure about where to put yourself at the beginning, but most students bond quickly with their host family and enjoy being looked after. Often students strike up friendships with their host mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, enjoying days or nights out and exchanging addresses for future contact.

Living with a family doesn't mean you completely relinquish your independence. You are given a key and can come and go as you please, providing that you are considerate about letting your family know if you plan to be out for lunch etc.

Families come in all shapes and forms: some have young or teenage children, other have elderly parents staying at home, some are ladies on their own who have lots of time to dedicate to their foreign guests. The bottom line is that they are friendly and welcoming… and will speak to you in Spanish! ISLA can accommodate requests from non-smokers and vegetarians.

You will often be “sharing” your family with another foreign guest of a different nationality, or a Spanish student lodger. This ensures more Spanish practice!

In Barcelona : breakfast and dinner (half board), or breakfast, dinner and a packed lunch (half board with packed lunch).

In Salamanca : breakfast and lunch (half board) or breakfast, lunch and dinner (full board).

Sheets and towels are provided. Laundry is included (excluding ironing). Bring your own beach towel.

Shared Flat

Shared self-catering flats offer more independence and personal responsibility. It is fun to live with a bunch of other ISLA people or in some cases, with Spanish adults. Students prepare their own meals, do their own laundry, organize a cleaning roster and are responsible for putting themselves to bed!

Bear in mind that you will have to make an effort to ensure that the common language in the flat is Spanish. But all ISLA flats have a TV so students can carry on listening to Spanish while relaxing at home.

Flats sleep approximately 4 to 6 people, with a shared kitchen, bathroom(s) and usually a sitting room. Parties are strictly forbidden and permission must be sought from ISLA for houseguests (for whom there is a charge). ISLA makes an effort to house people according to age and stage, but please note we are not able to guarantee single sex or non-smoking flats.

Sheets are provided (but not towels).

Private Apartment /Studio

Apartments have one or two bedrooms, a kitchen, bathroom and sitting room. They are suitable for couples, families and single travellers requiring complete privacy. We recommend that students book this option well in advance as there is limited availability. Please note: Barcelona apartments are situated in the student residence (see below). Sheets are provided (but not towels).

Half/Full Board at Student Residence in Salamanca

This is the option for those who wish to enjoy a freer environment where meals are provided. From October to June there is limited availability in residences with Spanish students. In the summer ISLA subcontracts two or three residences where students live with other classmates. You can opt for full board (all meals) or half board (breakfast and lunch). Sheets and towels are provided and laundry and daily room cleaning included.

Self-catering Mini-apartments in Student Residences in Barcelona

These two university residences are conveniently located within walking distance of both the school and the beach. This option suits those seeking both the privacy of their own unit and the company of international friends when they feel like it. Each unit has self-catering facilities, a private bathroom, telephone line and an internet connection. Common facilities include: a computer room, TV lounge, washing machines and a small gym. Sheets and towels are provided. Laundry of bed linen and weekly room cleaning is included.

Hotel/Hostal ISLA has preferential rates at a range of hotels/hostals for all budgets, with or without meals.