Description

If you are ready to undertake the challenge of studying within the Universidad de Sevilla alongside Spanish students in their degree program; if you have had at least three years of college-level Spanish language studies; if you have an overall GPA of 3.0, a Spanish language GPA of 3.0, and a strong desire to participate in the Spanish university system as Spaniards do - then the Advanced Liberal Arts study abroad program in Seville, Spain is right for you.

Academic Program
Founded in 1994, the CIEE Advanced Liberal Arts program is designed for students with advanced Spanish language skills and a strong academic background. Students take the majority of their classes with Spanish students at the Universidad de Sevilla and/or the Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO), supplemented by a variety of courses offered by CIEE.

Online Placement Exam
Prior to departure for Seville, all students are required to take a CIEE online placement exam during the scheduled exam period: mid-November to mid-December for the spring semester and mid-May to mid-June for the fall semester. The purpose of this exam is to determine the student's level of Spanish for appropriate placement in language courses. Students should take this exam seriously, as placement in many upper-level courses depends upon a high online placement exam score.

Academic Culture
Courses in law, geography, history, and philology meet in the Universidad de Sevilla's main building, the Tabacalera. Classes from the other schools meet at different campuses located around the city of Seville. UPO classes are held on the UPO campus. All courses meet two times a week for 90 minutes or three times a week for 45 minutes. Classes are held Monday through Friday. Instruction is usually lecture style.

Keep in mind that Spanish students begin to study in their area of concentration from the first day of their university career. They are specialists, not generalists. Spain does not have a liberal arts educational tradition, and different degrees do not have survey-type classes as in the United States.

Both fall semester and academic year students may take their final exams prior to the Christmas break, or take them during the official University exam period in late January. For those choosing to take their exams in January, there is a two-week break in between Christmas and January 6th (the holiday called Reyes). December exams are arranged on an individual basis with the professor; all dates for official university exams are published early in the semester.

In the spring, final exams for regular University classes at UPO may be taken the last week of May. At the Universidad de Sevilla, exams take place in June. In some cases, professors may be willing to administer the final exam earlier than the officially scheduled date, but CIEE cannot be responsible for arranging or guaranteeing early exams.

During the spring semester, two vacation periods take place: Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. The dates are not fixed, but students are normally free the week before Easter (Holy Week) and then again for a week approximately two weeks after Easter.

Students are required to review their exams (called a revisión) with their professors before leaving Seville so they know how well they performed and what grade to expect.

Highlights

• Enroll in regular University courses - ideal for meeting Spanish students and improving your advanced Spanish; take classes in a wide variety of disciplines, from history and languages, to anthropology and Arabic studies
  
• Explore sites of cultural importance through weekly cultural activities and excursions
  
• Fine-tune your language skills through the CIEE writing center and tutorials, Tertulia lecture series, personal development workshops, a conversation exchange, and volunteer opportunities
  
• Live in a homestay or residencia and maximize your cultural and linguistic integration

Cultural Reimbursement Program
CIEE reimburses participants for tickets purchased for theater, ballet, opera, and special events taking place in and around Seville and Spain. The goal of this program is to encourage students enrolled in the Spanish University to enjoy local cultural activities with Spanish peers in a Spanish environment.

Immersion
Linguistic Immersion Weekend
During the first week students are in Seville, CIEE organizes a language immersion weekend. Program participants and staff travel to El Bosque, in the Sierra de Grazalema (Cádiz), with a group of Spanish students from the Universidad de Sevilla. The goal of this exercise is to help students feel comfortable in an exclusively Spanish-speaking environment immediately upon arrival. Students engage in many different activities with their Spanish peers including one-to-one conversations, individual presentations, group activities/games, and outdoor hiking.

Intercambios and Tándem Project
A conversation exchange program with Spanish students is an important part of the program. Intercambios give students the chance to practice what they are learning in language courses, as well as help them become more integrated into Spanish student life and sevillano life and culture.

The Tándem Project pairs students with Spanish students studying English. The goal is for the students to work together on improving each others' skills in the target language throughout the semester. University professors supervise the learning process.

Tertulia Series and Personal Development Workshops
CIEE staff organize a series of informal lectures and workshops dedicated to personal development while living abroad. Workshops address a variety of themes such as culture shock, dating across cultures, eating well, stress management, organizational skills, and re-entry into the U.S.

Community Involvement
Students have the opportunity to work with children and the elderly, as well as other humanitarian associations. Students may also become involved in such international organizations as Amnesty International. Volunteer teaching opportunities in local schools are also available for future teachers.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

Please check the CIEE website for current program pricing.

Program Fees Include:

The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which includes insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required

yes

• Overall GPA 3.0
• 3.0 GPA in Spanish language
• 6 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Home-stays
• Dormitory
• Group living

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Scholarships are Available

We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for details.

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application
• Transcript
• Other

CIEE's Mission Statement

Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world. Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever.

Year Founded

1947