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A Summer of Language and Immersion
Duke in Alicante is a six-week summer study abroad program in Spain designed to help students accelerate their Spanish language learning through coursework and cultural immersion. Students take classes with Duke and University of Alicante faculty, live with local host families, and practice Spanish through daily interactions, workshops and excursions.
For Duke student Alex Thisted, that immersive experience transformed language learning into something more personal – an opportunity to build confidence, form meaningful connections and experience Spanish culture as part of everyday life.
While there are many memories I will forever treasure from my Duke in Alicante experience, the moments I shared during daily meals with my host family were, without question, the most meaningful and rewarding.
What initially began as a source of discomfort and fear, where the linguistic barrier felt most pronounced, gradually became a space of learning, exploration, and connection. Throughout the program, I spent every evening eating dinner with my host mom, host dad, and Duke roommate (shoutout Clare).
Every night, my host parents taught me new Spanish words and challenged me to recite them at subsequent dinners. Some of my favorite words to learn were arcoíris (rainbow), pulsera (bracelet), and pendiente (earring). Specifically, I learned the word arcoíris early on when my host dad and I looked out the window during dinner and noticed a rainbow. Because Alicante receives fewer than 30 days of rain per year, it felt especially rare and memorable.
Similarly, I learned the words pulsera and pendiente after my host mom generously gifted me several sets of jewelry that she had made by hand.
Ultimately, these words stick out to me because I learned them through meaningful experiences rather than through the rote memorization that often characterizes language learning in the classroom.
No matter how challenging or exhausting my days had been, I found comfort in knowing that dinner with my family was always something I could count on and look forward to. Beyond teaching me Spanish vocabulary, dinners with my host family allowed me to experience the Spanish culture outside the classroom as a part of everyday life. Thanks to my host family, I left Alicante feeling as though I had not only learned Spanish, but lived it.
Beyond teaching me Spanish vocabulary, dinners with my host family allowed me to experience the Spanish culture outside the classroom as a part of everyday life. Thanks to my host family, I left Alicante feeling as though I had not only learned Spanish, but lived it.
Alex Thisted, Duke in Alicante (Summer 2026)
During a cooking class, we learned to make chicken and seafood paella!
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Sweet treats in Madrid!
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During the host family farewell dinner on the last night! This picture features the intermediate Duke in Alicante class.
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Weekend excursion to Granada where we spent one of our mornings touring the Alhombra.
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During a weekend excursion to Granada, we visited a beautiful spot where we ate dinner and watched the sunset over the Alhombra.
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What is your greatest takeaway from the program?
Identifying a single greatest takeaway from the Duke in Alicante program is difficult, as I feel as though I’ve grown more personally and academically throughout the condensed 6-week summer program than I did throughout an entire semester of Spanish at Duke.
With this said, one of my greatest takeaways has been that Spanish is not merely a language, but a way of living and expressing life experiences.
Early on in the program, my instinct was to translate English expressions directly into Spanish. Interestingly, what I learned is that while some words, including "traditions," translate predictably to “tradiciones” in Spanish, others don’t, which can result in confusion and even embarrassment. It’s important to challenge yourself to think and learn in Spanish, rather than translating everything back-and-forth from English.
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Beyond learning that English words do not always have direct or reliable translations into Spanish, I discovered that food is a meaningful expression of love in Spanish culture. I was fortunate to have a host mom who prepared a wide variety of delicious meals, each with unique flavors and presentation. In fact, throughout the two months I spent living with her, she never repeated a meal, and some dishes were so beautifully presented that I was hesitant to eat them because I didn’t want to ruin her work of art.
My host mom also went above and beyond in terms of accommodating my gluten allergy, which I initially worried would limit me severely. Thanks to my mom, who purchased gluten-free flour, I was able to fully participate in the experience of trying fresh-baked cakes, apple tarts, crepes, and flan.
On my last day, my host mom taught me how to prepare my favorite sauce because she wanted me to be able to recreate it and share the special experience with my family back home in Colorado. Ultimately, through the Duke in Alicante program, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role that food plays in not only nourishing our bodies, but bringing people together and expressing love and care.
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What advice do you have for other students considering this program?
My biggest piece of advice for students considering this program is to APPLY! I truly can’t overstate the value and opportunity of the Duke in Alicante program. It offers so much more than language learning; it’s a chance to grow academically while also developing independence, confidence, and a deeper appreciation for other cultures through living abroad.
If you're unsure about applying or accepting your offer, please don't hesitate to reach out to me. I would be happy to talk through my experience, help you weigh the pros and cons, and share both the challenges and the highlights of my time in the program.
Finally, for students who have already been admitted and are feeling hesitant or nervous, my biggest piece of advice is to be patient with yourself and embrace a poco a poco ("little by little") mindset.
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During one of my first mornings with my host family, my host mom sensed how frustrated I was with the language barrier. She gave me a flower keychain she made for my backpack and explained that learning a language is like growing a garden because it requires time, patience, care, nourishment, and sunlight before it can truly flourish. From that day on, she constantly reminded me that growth happens poco a poco, a valuable reminder that a new language is challenging, and meaningful progress doesn't happen overnight.
Mistakes are not only inevitable; they're an essential part of learning. Be proud of yourself for having the courage to step outside your comfort zone, and focus on progress rather than perfection. I can assure you that by the end of the program, you'll be amazed by how much you've learned and grown.