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Knowledge Base ­ Spain
Spain
References: CIA World Factbook
Description :: Spain
The Diversity Network’s Country Diversity Notes provide readily accessible summaries of country­specific
information on potential challenges for students who are from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented
in study abroad programs. The notes were created to facilitate the the ability of study abroad professionals
to find a good country fit for prospective study abroad students who are uncertain of how they will be
received abroad because of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, gender, religion or disability.
The Spain diversity note, below, features a country overview as well as information pertinent to the climate
of respect that U.S. students of diverse backgrounds can reasonably expect while living in those countries. It
also offers bulleted information noting facts that may directly relate to student experiences in a given
country. Links for students to pursue additional information resources on the various topics are also offered.
While the note provides a bird’s­eye view of diversity matters in each country as they pertain to U.S.
students, the country information found in the notes is not exhaustive. Advisors should use the information
contained below in collaboration with faculty and staff who have experience in the particular country,
returned study abroad students who are able and feel comfortable to discuss their own observations of
diversity in the country, and the advisor’s own knowledge.
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**The Diversity Network encourages comments and updates from members**
COUNTRY OVERVIEW
Spain is the third most popular destinations for U.S. study abroad students. More than 25,500 U.S. students
participated in education abroad programs in Spain during the 2010­2011 academic year, an increase of
slightly more than nine percent over the year prior.
Engulfing its Iberian neighbor Portugal, Spain has coasts along the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean
Sea, with the Strait of Gibraltar to the south separating it from Morocco. Spain is also mountainous (the
second­most in Europe), and the Pyrenees Mountains to the north separate it from Andorra, France, and the
rest of continental Europe. Spain’s mountainsides, beaches, pastoral countryside and cosmopolitan cities all
beckon international visitors.
U.S. students are attracted to study abroad programs in Spain for a variety of reasons, particularly the study
of its language, as well as business and international relations, among other subjects. As with other visitors,
students seek out Spain for its architecture, culture and nightlife, not to mention quick access to Western
Europe. Higher education institutions in Spain enjoy good international reputations. There are a variety of options
there for students across disciplines, depending on the study abroad program. Although Castilian Spanish is
the national language and many Spaniards also speak some English, regional dialects are still very
pronounced in Spain. Some provinces, such as Catalonia, Valencia, Galicia and the Basque country, have
their own dialect as the official language. Despite this language variety, even students with low proficiency
levels in Spanish should be able to navigate life in Spain, as there is a robust infrastructure for
accommodating international visitors. Ethnic Minorities :: Spain
Potential Considerations for Students of Color
According to numerous blog posts regarding the experiences of U.S. travellers to or residents of Spain,
many either perceive a strong undercurrent of racism in the country or have been subjected to racist taunts.
Numerous public displays of racism on behalf of high profile and ordinary Spaniards alike seem to support
the contention.
Well­publicized incidents repeatedly occur where Spanish soccer fans are known to dress in blackface, throw
bananas at players of African and Hispanic descent and jeer them by calling them monkeys and other
epithets. In 2010 the U.S. consulate even posted a travel warning to Americans of color regarding police
treatment in Spain after two black U.S. government employees were detained apparently for no reason.
(The warning was removed amidst Michelle Obama’s visit to the country in 2011.)
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Although examples of racist behavior in Spain are common, positive experiences of U.S. travelers of color to
the country also abound.
Notes:
Although most U.S. travelers of color to Spain do not report experiencing racist interactions,
minor encounters of racist prejudice or epithets are not uncommon in Spanish public life.
Students of color may be one of the few minority members within their program and thus study and
live with individuals who have no understanding of African­American cultures and cannot provide
adequate support. • Some students of color may be assumed to be an immigrant of African descent.
The experience of U.S. students of color is likely to be fairly different than that of African or Middle
Eastern immigrants to Spain, whose national origins may incur them additional stigma.
Additional Links:
Blog post on racism in Spain
Afro­Europe: Black in Spain
Sexual Orientation :: Spain
Potential Considerations for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, or Queer Students
Spain is widely considered a progressive country that protects gay and minority rights. Although the country
is predominantly Catholic, the influence of conservative groups on social policy is not as strong as in other
heavily Catholic European nations. The country was the fourth in the world to adopt same­sex marriage.
Some call its gay rights laws the most progressive, as same­sex couples are permitted to adopt.
Acceptance of homosexuality exists across most of Spanish society, although soccer stadiums are known to
be particularly boorish. Spain is widely considered a top gay travel destination, with Ibiza and the Balearic
islands perhaps the most prominent. LGBT students should feel comfortable being open about their
sexuality in Spain. Notes:
Gay rights are protected in Spain and students should expect a level of tolerance equal to or greater
than that found in the U.S.
Some call Spain’s gay rights laws the most progressive in the world, as same­sex couples are
permitted to adopt.
There are vibrant gay scenes across Spain, particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Ibiza.
Many establishments exist to serve local gay communities across Spain, especially in the main cities,
where university study abroad programs are generally located. http://www.diversitynetwork.org/index.php?option=com_fss&view=kb&kbartid=174&tmpl=component&print=1&Itemid=717
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Additional Links:
Gay info Spain
Gay friendliness in Spain
Focus on gay rights: Spain
Physical Disability :: Spain
Potential Considerations for Students with Disabilities
Spain’s sidewalks, public transport, and public buildings generally have accommodations for the physically
disabled. Additionally, as Spain is a popular study abroad destination for U.S. students, a number of
programs exist that specialize in accessibility accommodations for disabled students.
Before selecting a study abroad program option it is a good idea for the student to inquire with the program
itself as to whether a destination offers amenities and services specific to the needs of the individual student.
Additional Links:
Independent Living Institute: Spain
Mobility International USA Disability Resources
Religion :: Spain
Potential Considerations for Religious Students
More than two­thirds of Spaniards consider themselves Catholic, though fewer consider themselves religious
and fewer still attend mass regularly. Following Catholicism, Islam is the second most popular religion in
Spain, with Muslims numbering approximately one million. As the Moors conquered and settled southern
Spain until 1492, the country is home to several Islamic heritage sites, such as the Alhambra in Granada,
and has large mosques in Madrid, Barcelona, and Granada. Fewer than one percent of Spaniards are Jewish,
living mainly in Barcelona, Madrid, and Murcia. Very few protestant or evangelical churches exist in Spain. Notes:
Although two­thirds of Spaniards consider themselves Catholic, few consider attend mass regularly.
Islam is the second most popular religion in Spain; more than ten mosques exist in Spain, mainly
located in Spain’s larger cities, where study abroad programs generally operate.
Synagogues exist in more than seventeen Spanish cities, with the largest featuring multiple
synagogues. Very few protestant or evangelical churches exist in Spain. Students of all denominations should feel comfortable practicing their faith in Spain. http://www.diversitynetwork.org/index.php?option=com_fss&view=kb&kbartid=174&tmpl=component&print=1&Itemid=717
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Additional Links:
Jewish Spain
Synagogues in Spain
Famous mosques in Spain
Women :: Spain
Potential Considerations for Women Students
Spain is thought to be a very safe country, however, women traveling alone should follow ‘common sense’
safety precautions as they would in the United States.
Notes:
Female students who travel to Spain can expect a level of protection and respect equivalent to the
U.S. Fast Facts :: Spain
Capital: Madrid
Population: 47,370,542 (July 2013 est.)
Language(s): Castilian Spanish (official) 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, and Basque 2%
Note: Catalan is official in Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, and the Valencian Community (where it is known as
Valencian); in the northwest corner of Catalonia (Vall d'Aran), Aranese is official along with Catalan; Galician is
official in Galicia; Basque is official in the Basque Country Religions: Roman Catholic 94%, other 6%
Ethnic groups: composite of Mediterranean and Nordic types
References :: Spain
Map, flag, and country facts are from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency World Factbook online. Accessed
9/28/2011. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the­world­factbook/geos/sp.html
Report to combat discrimination­Spain http://www.non­discrimination.net/en/countries/Spain?jsEnabled=1
Diversity Abroad Network 2013
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