Study Abroad Opportuntity in Alcoy

Spain Facts

Spanish population: 45 million people

Area: 504.645 km²

Boundaries: Portugal to the West, France and the Pyrinees to the North, Mediterranean Sea in the East part of the country and Africa in the South part of the country.

Languages: The official language throughout Spain is Spanish. However, there are other languages:

Catalan: spoken in Catalonia, The Valencian Region and the Balearic Island.
Basque (Euskera): in the Basque Country and other parts of Navarra.
Galician: spoken in Galicia.

State of Autonomies, comprised by 50 provinces grouped in 17 Autonomous Communities and 2 Autonomous Cities (Ceuta and Melilla)

City Facts

Alcoy is situated in the north of the Alicante province, within the Valencian Region, Spain.

It is situated about 40 minutes from Alicante and one hour from the city of Valencia.

Small sized city, with a population of around 60.000 people, for this reason it is considered one of the safest cities in the Valencian Region.

Alcoy is a town marked by its industrial past, where you can find modernist buildings, such as the Industrial Club, The Palace of Juan Cantó, or the Peacock House.

It is a mountain city, 545 meters above the sea level, with a peculiar geographical setting. Surrounded by mountains, the town offers a spectacular combination of Mediterranean forests. The Natural Oak Park of La Font Roja, is a privilidged forest, where you can enjoy the vegetation of the miced Mediterranean forest. Also the Natural Park of Sierra Mariola is well-known for its varied quantity of aromatic and medicinal plants, and together with the Font Roja Park the richness of the flora and fauna exceeds that of the most European countries.

Alcoy is a place surrounded by Nature. As Alcoy is located between ravines lots of bridges have been built up and for this reason, Alcoy is well-known as the City of the Bridges.

Why ALCOY and not other cities in Spain?

Enjoy the same facilities as in a bigger city, but saving money. Whereas in other cities such as Alicante, Valencia, Madrid or Barcelona, you have to budget money to move around, you will reach everything in Alcoy in a walking distance.

Alcoy is a small city that will give you the opportunity of being more immersed in real Spanish lives than other cities in Spain. You will meet other European students come to study to the Campus of Alcoy and also you will be more exposured to talk in Spanish with the rest of local students and citizens.

The people of Alcoy are open-minded, warm and welcoming of foreign visitors, and these are one of the key reasons students consistently rate their study abroad experience at SAOA as excellent in all respects.

Compared to other bigger cities in Spain, you will find that Alcoy is safer and less polluted than any other university homes.

Due to the short distances, walk everyday to the Campus of Alcoy, with no need to use public transportation.

You will be living in a healthy environment, surrounded by natural parks and greenways. In addition, you can jump from the mountains to the beach towns in less than an hour, such as Alicante, Gandía or Valencia.

Enjoy the main festivities in Alcoy declared of International Tourist Interest: the Moors and Christians Festival during the Spring term and The Three Wise Kings Parades on January 5th. In addition, participate in the Virgin of Lirios Pilgrimage during the Fall.