Be there - if necessary,

The days of international students heading exclusively to the UK, US or Canada are long gone. Before globalization, getting an international education was a privilege only available to a few: your English had to be perfect, you had to be able to travel freely, and you were usually from a western country.

Now, with new technologies and new economies on the rise, there's a much more level playing field when it comes to studying abroad. There is a wider range of destinations on offer than ever before, and the backgrounds of those who want an international adventure are changing too: in Spain, almost 25% of international students are from Latin America and the Caribbean, 11% are from Asia and almost 10% from North Africa.

But why has Spain been shooting up the list of preferred destinations for students from across the world in recent years?

More and more Spanish universities can be seen high up the list of international quality rankings, which have traditionally been dominated by universities from the English-speaking world. The Spanish presence in the THE, QS and ARWU-Shanghai rankings has been increasing in all categories, including academic excellence, diversity and research impact.

What's more, private universities in Spain are also gaining international accreditation from independent organizations, undergoing demanding auditing processes to ensure internal processes are of a high quality. Gaining an accreditation from the likes of the EAEVE for veterinary faculties, or the CeQuInt certification for internationalization, are high-priority objectives for universities across Europe in their efforts to boost their profile and attract top students.

Spain has long been a favourite destination for exchange students in Europe, but it's also high on the list for students from Latin America. However, Spain's increasing internationalization in recent years means that it is attracting more and more students who don't have the traditional international student profile, and who see Spain as a safe, enjoyable and exciting place to study in.

Spain is the second safest country in the European Union, with a crime rate which has decreased by 7.4% over the last decade. The feeling of safety when using public transport or going out at night is something which international students from countries with higher crime often comment on.

In addition to being safe, the cost of living, in Spain is considerably lower than in neighbouring countries, giving Spain a clear edge for those considering studying abroad.

University education in Spain is not free, even in the state system, but you may be surprised to learn that many grants and means of financial support are available to international students. SEPIE, the Spanish agency for the internationalization of education, has created a grant search facility for different kinds of students, which you can find here.

Private universities also have their own specific programmes aimed at attracting international students. CEU UCH, for example, has created a grants page for international applicants from Latin America, Europe and the rest of the world.

These programmes could provide you with significant financial support for your studies, especially if you have a good academic record, and, of course, you fulfil the application requirements. But the opportunities don't end there: once here, many students apply for paid placement programmes or even part-time jobs which are compatible with lecture timetables. These are two excellent options to consider, as you can gain valuable professional experience and earn some money!