Overview
Location: Santander, Spain
Program Length: Semester or Academic Year
Eligibility:
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- Has successfully completed 4 college-level Spanish courses prior to departure
- Good disciplinary standing
- Has at least sophomore standing
- Degree-seeking student
Program Description: Semester in Spain Consortium
The North Carolina Consortium for Study Abroad, in cooperation with the Universidad de Cantabria, offers a fall or spring semester abroad program in Santander, Spain. Through this program, undergraduates from several North Carolina campuses, as well as qualified students from other institutions, have the opportunity to spend a semester in the coastal city of Santander, taking classes from Spanish professors in Spanish geography, literature, art, history, and language. Students will be taking courses with other Semester in Spain participants, but will have opportunities to interact with local and international students. In addition to this, participating students can also volunteer to teach English at local schools, (optional).
The universities in this consortium are: UNC Charlotte, North Carolina State University, UNC Wilmington, UNC Asheville, East Carolina University, and Appalachian State University. Students who do not attend of one of the aforementioned universities may still be able to participate in the program. Please contact the UNC Charlotte Office of Education Abroad to confirm this.
Semester in Spain Program Website
Coursework
The Semester in Spain program offers a fixed list of courses each semester. This program offers two mandatory language courses and three elective courses taught in Spanish, allowing students to earn 12-15 credit hours.
For the first month of the program, students will be enrolled in the first intensive Spanish Grammar course. After the first month, students will then take the second mandatory Spanish Grammar course as well as their elective courses. Courses will be taken Monday through Friday with the other North Carolina students in the program; the schedule will be determined by the Universidad de Cantabria's on-site staff upon students' arrivals.
Course Offerings
There are a total of five courses offered through the Semester in Spain program. Two of the courses, (Intensive Spanish Grammar I and II), are required for all participants. Students can then select a minimum of two, but up to three, electives for a total of 12 - 15 credit hours.
Housing & Meals
Homestay
Each Semester in Spain student will be placed in a carefully selected homestay with a Spanish family located within easy access (either by foot or by city bus) to the Universidad, to downtown, and to the beaches. A housing assignment with a vetted and approved local family, (i.e. homestay), is guaranteed for each Semester in Spain participant.
Staff members at the Universidad de Cantabria (UniCan) are responsible for arranging homestay placements, (the Office of Education Abroad at UNC Charlotte does not arrange housing). There will be one Semester in Spain participant per homestay household. Students will complete a "homestay questionnaire" as a part of their OEA application, which will ask them to elaborate on any dietary restrictions, allergies, and to express what type of relationship they would like to have with their homestay family. Universidad de Cantabria staff will then place one student with one local family. Because this is an immersive Spanish language and culture program, this opportunity allows students to be immersed in both; they will improve their Spanish proficiency, experience life as a local, and form lasting relationships.
Although students complete a homestay questionnaire to better assist the UniCan staff during the placement process, there are no guarantees that students will be placed with a family that meets the exact specifications described in their questionnaire, (unless it is a matter of health, diet or other legitimate matters). Students will not receive their homestay assignments, (e.g. name of family contact, address, phone number), until 2 weeks prior to departure. Unfortunately UNCC OEA cannot control or expedite this process.
Meals
Host families will provide three meals per day for their Semester in Spain student. Students are encouraged to list any dietary restrictions or allergies in their "homestay questionnaire," located in their OEA application.
Finances
Cost Structure:
Students participating in the Semester in Spain program will pay a program fee to the Office of Education Abroad at UNC Charlotte that includes the following amenities:
-Tuition & fees abroad
-Housing (homestay)
-Three meals per day
-Round trip group flight Charlotte-Madrid
-International health insurance
-Excursions
-Laundry services once a week
Students should also consider the following expenses as applicable:
Passport (~$150)
Personal expenses ($200+ per month)
Personal travel
Travel insurance
**Because this program is under 90 days in length, U.S. students do not need a visa.
The UNC Asheville Study Abroad Office awards need-based scholarships on a competitive basis to participants on UNCA exchange programs. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1,500 and are scaled in proportion to program budget and demonstrated financial need.
The Study Abroad Office advises students to research and pursue a wide range of available funding opportunities. To find scholarships applicable to your program,
browse the Cost and Financial Aid page of Study Abroad website.
Withdrawals and Refunds
Contact Information
Bonnie Parker
Director
028 Ramsey Library, CPO 1560
828.251.6666
bparker@unca.edu
Useful Links
