Study Abroad Program to Spain
The MSCD-ICUSC (International Courses, Universidad de Santiago de Compostela) -
Summer Semesters
Santiago de Compostela:
With more than five hundred years of teaching experience, the University of Santiago de Compostela - http://www.usc.es - is today one of Spain's most prestigious institutions. The University is situated in Santiago de Compostela, in the northwest corner of Spain. Santiago is a profoundly historical city (declared Patrimony of Humanity by UNESCO in 1985), which throughout the centuries has received and given shelter to the many thousands of pilgrims who have come to visit the tomb of the Apostle St. James, following the Pilgrim's Way. It has one of Spain's most beautiful monumental areas, and is, through tradition and personality, an opencity, famous for its hospitality; a city which strives to display its history and its legends, and to share the beauty and fascination of its streets and squares. The city's particular geographical situation combined with an excellent network of communications mean that visitors can easily travel to areas of outstanding natural, historical or cultural beauty. The coastline abounds with memorable beaches and fishing villages, while the interior offers a wide variety of mountainous landscapes.
Why go:
Goals
- To study the Spanish language in an authentic setting.
- To interact both socially and culturally with Spanish speaking people.
- To experience the Spanish way of life.
- To experience a bilingual community.
- To visit both cultural and historical sites of great importance.
Dates of Trip:
TBA
Daily Itinerary:
Each course is given with attention to the four basic levels of knowledge of the language, namely Elementary, Intermediate, Advanced and Superior, with students’ levels being determined by a preliminary test on the first day of the course. The class size is a maximum of 15 students and the teacher combines the teaching of formal aspects of the language (grammar, phonetics, vocabulary, etc.) with its communicative aspects.
The academic program consists of Spanish language morning classes undertaken by teachers specially trained for the teaching of Spanish as a foreign language. During the second part of the morning, while students of elementary level attend language workshops (practical vocabulary sessions, language laboratory, writing and so on), those of intermediate, advanced and superior level attend seminars of Spanish culture (Art, Society, Literature, Politics) by professors from the University.
Several cultural activities such as cinema sessions, visits to museums, literature workshops and guided tours around the monumental city are scheduled in the afternoons.
On Saturdays there will be excursions to different Galician areas of historical interest. Excursions for July include full day trips to Padrón; Rías Altas and A Coruña; Costa da Morte and Finisterre; Rías Baixas and Pontevedra.
Once a week, there will be tutorial sessions. Each of the professors working on the courses also acts as tutor of a small group of students, accompanying them on organized cultural activities, helping them to integrate themselves into both the city and the university, and being on hand to help them with any problems that may arise during the course.
9:15 - 10:45 Spanish language
10:45 - 11:15 Break
11:15 - 12:45 Spanish language
12:45 - 13:45 Spanish language workshop
14:00 Lunch, break, free time
Afternoon Activities
17:00-20:00 Cultural Activities
Saturdays Excursions
Accomodations:
Students will have two options available:
- To be housed in a private home (with a Spanish family): International Courses staff carefully selects Spanish families so as to provide students with a friendly atmosphere where they will enjoy a single room and board.
- To stay at the university dorms (Halls of Residence): Students may enjoy individual rooms with bathroom which include daily cleaning and a weekly change of sheets and towels (these halls are considered the best equipped in the country).
Justification for Credit (Contact Hours):
For 6 MSCD credits:
- Class contact: 4 hours of contact per day, five days per week totaling 20 hours per week.
- Cultural activities: at least six hours per week.
- Two Saturday full-day excursions (counted as lab hours).
- Two mandatory two hours pre-departure workshops on campus.
How Will Student Performance Be Evaluated:
- Official evaluations from the host institution will be made available to the Instructor of Record. Based on this information and the exit interview, grades will be assigned by the Instructor of Record. The student must receive a Universidad de Santiago de Compostela diploma in order to obtain a C (minimum). This certificate officially recognizes that the student has been academically responsible in terms of attendance and application of work.
- The student will keep a journal. The MSCD instructor will grade this journal.
- Written reports on afternoon cultural activities will be required and graded by the MSCD instructor.
- Required exit interview with the Instructor of record.
Estimated Student Budget for Trip:
MSCD Tuition $630.00 (6 credits)
Registration Fee to ICUSC(1) 180 Euros ($226.00)
On-site Instruction 510 Euros ($641.00)
Accommodation
Hall of Residence: Single room 294 Euros ($369.00)
Home-stay (Single room & full board included) 542 Euros ($681)
Meals (for the Residence Hall, weekends not included): breakfast, lunch, dinner. 150. 25 Euros ($ 89.00) breakfast and lunch 240.40 Euros ($302.00)
Excursions(2) $16.00
- Registration fees include insurance, books, and class materials.
- There is only a $4.00 reservation fee for each excursion.
Evidence of Arrangements:
Students must have appropriate health insurance in order to be protected throughout his/her stay in Spain. Therefore, students will have to show proof of insurance before departure.
It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for his/her airfare.
Dr. Rey-López will be available to help students but, according to her experience with study abroad programs, students like the flexibility to travel by their own, to different destinations, and at different periods of time.
Application Deadline:
TBA
Contact:
Dr. Rey-López: lomaria@mscd.edu
