FAQs

Instituto Hemingway offers many different education programs that allow you to reach total immersion in our culture. Learning a new language, jobs and work experience or sporting and cultural activities are some of the programs that we offer you and that enable you to enjoy your stay in your new country.

Because Ernest Hemingway, the famous American Nobel prize winning writer, travelled and went discovering Spain and he made many great friends here. This is exactly what we want for our students, that they integrate whilst travelling, that they learn lots and make many friends with whom to practise their Spanish.

Instituto Hemingway was founded in Bilbao (Spain) by bilingual people who had been closely linked to the education sector for a long time. Conscious of the need to offer programs that are thorough and rounded, fun and flexible, we created this new innovative proposal. New ideas for people of all ages that want to learn and live in a new country.

The Instituto Hemingway team is made up of young and lively people who know the advantages and challenges of living in another country. And the most important thing, we are available and ready to make your stay with us a truly unique experience.

Instituto Hemingway is a Centre Accredited by Instituto Cervantes for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language and forms part of the Network of Associated Centres of Instituto Cervantes. It means the recognition of a high level of quality of Spanish teaching and resources available to the student at the school. It is also accredited by CSN (The Swedish National Board of Student Aid).

Bilbao is one of the most interesting and vibrant cities in Spain, surrounded by mountains and wonderful beaches. It is the main city in the North of Spain known by its university life, tapas bars, shops and cultural activity.

Bilbao has an international airport with multiple flights to different European cities. You can also fly to Santander or Vitoria. In the case in which you are coming from another continent you will arrive in either Madrid or Barcelona and will take a connection flight to Bilbao, arriving here in an hour. We also offer a transfer service from these airports to your accommodation. Instituto Hemingway has available a phone number that you can reach over the whole weekend.

Bilbao has approximately 350,000 inhabitants. It is a medium-sized ciudad with an excellent public transport system.

Bilbao isn't a typically touristy city although more and more people from all over the world are coming to know us. It is still all to be discovered. The relation between quality of life and price is very good and the ample offer of shops can be taken full advantage of. Furthermore, if you like good food, you will find exceptional bars and restaurants on offer.

You can play a wide range of sports: football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, squash., furthermore many watersports: sailing, surfing, diving.

There is no minimum age. We have courses available for all ages.

No. Upon your arrival at Instituto Hemingway you will take a simple test that allows us to see what level you're at and place you at the appropriate level.

You can start any Monday of the year. It is recommendable to reserve at least 15 days in advance although we do admit students who book at the last minute.

We offer the six levels that correspond to the Common European Framework A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2. The levels are grouped into beginner, intermediate and advanced.

Yes, through our Combined Centres program you can learn Spanish in any of the big cities like Granada, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville, etc. You can be sure of receiving the same quality of teaching, prices and conditions in whichever of the cities that you choose.

Besides the Main Spanish Course, you have available a Business Spanish Course and Refresher Course for Spanish Teachers. And of course you can complete your Instituto Hemingway learning experience with individual classes.

We offer a course that allows you to come to grips with the economic and legal systems in Spain and Europe. Vocabulary, its commercial uses, behavioural manners within the workplace.

Of course. If you think that your classes aren't tailored to your level, or if you progress at a different rate to your classmates, you can speak to your teacher or the Director of Studies in order to find the best solution.

Instituto Hemingway closes on the days that are national or local holidays. However, we program in full-day excursions so that you may take advantage of your time by getting to know the nearby places.

Of course. You can choose between an ample range of courses and sports and leisure activities. Some of your options: surfing, horse riding, cookery lessons, flamenco, salsa, tennis, football, art.

Yes, following a period of learning Spanish, and once you feel comfortable with your level of Spanish, you can undertake other programs like a job in Spain or some work experience on its own or a combination of one of these with the continuation of the Spanish course.

Yes, there are normally discounts from the third week into your stay and special conditions for those who stay more than three months.

Yes, on which the number of hours and level reached according to the Common European Framework to our course is specified here.

At least 15 days in advance is recommendable for reserving accommodation. We accept reservations made right up until the last minute but the best way of guaranteeing your preferred choice is to book a fair way in advance, especially for the Summer months.

You can choose between accommodation in a host family, a student residence or a shared flat.

We will send you the address of your place of residence at least a week before the course starts, together with a map of the city.

All of our accommodation options are rented from the Sunday before the course starts until the Saturday after it finishes.

Yes, you can stay for extra nights if you wish. Check our price list for more details.

All of our accommodation options are within a maximum of a 30 minute radius from the school.

The sheets, bed linen and kitchen utensils are included in the price. You have to bring your own towels and the other necessary things that will result in your stay being as pleasant as possible for you.

This depends on the type of accommodation you choose. It is included in the host family and student residence options. In the shared apartment you are expected to participate in carrying out the domestic duties.

Not generally. You receive health insurance and a pocket money or accommodation on a full board basis.

Because you learn about the working world of that country, as well its culture and bettering your level of language. You gain experience in the sector in which you wish to work and you see how things are done in a different country to your own. On your return this experience will be very important for boosting your CV and also for the promotion to better job positions.

Whenever you like and wherever you like. There is no time limit nor do we specify a certain town. You choose it all.

No, depending on the sector a basic level should be sufficient. On other occasions you will be required to have at least an intermediate level. We recommend that before starting the work experience placement you take the Spanish Course for two weeks.

Yes, you can do this before or after the program or take advantage of the weekends or any free days to do some traveling in the country.

The work experience placement is treated as an education program for which you will only need a student visa if you wish to stay for more than three months.

No, a basic level will suffice.

If your stay is less that 3 months (and with an extension of up to 6 months), the answer is NO.
Your nationality should be from: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Chipre, Costa Rica, Croatia, El Salvador, United States, Estonia, Guatemala, Honduras, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Liechtenstein, Lituania, Malasia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Norway, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Korea, Romania, San Marino, Santa Sede, Singapore, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, particular regions of the Popular China Republic of Hong Kong and Macao.

In the Spanish Embassy or Consulate that corresponds to where you live. The application for the visa as well as its collection are to be made in person, although in certain cases a representative can be designated on your behalf.

Documents must show that:

It will be the same length as that of the course which you are enrolled in.

A period of on average a month depending on the country.

Yes. If you decide to prolong your studies you can also renew the authorisation for your stay.

No. In fact, you have more chance of winning the lottery. But remember that with a student visa you can work part time.

Yes, unless you're a member of the European Union. Instituto Hemingway offers medical insurance at a very reasonable price.

In the whole of Europe public transport is very popular. It comes highly recommended being cheap and ecological.

The best thing to do is to buy a prepay sim card for your mobile phone upon your arrival in Spain. They are cheap and you will be able to receive calls in Spain from any destination worldwide free of charge. In order to make calls to your country we recommend that you buy an international phone card or you make them through the Internet.

Yes. But you can solve this with an adaptor.

No. The lifestyle and cultural and historic richness is quite uniform. Our suggestion is that you opt for a lesser known destination to the average tourist and a destination in accordance with your personal preferences to do with the size of the town or if you prefer to be near to the beach or the mountains.