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Program Info
UA in Spain offers students the unique opportunity to improve their Spanish language and cultural knowledge and skills the best way possible; by living in and being surrounded by the culture. Once per year, students whose majors/minors and interests vary journey to Alcala de Henares and take classes offered in conjunction with the Instituto Universitario Internacional at the Escuela Universitaria Cardenal Cisneros which is a part of the Universidad de Alcala. Alcala de Henares. Click here for a searchable city map, virtual tour, and more!
The city of Alcala de Henares, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998, is located 30 minutes northeast of Madrid and is best known as the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quijote. This historical city with a population of 160,000 is comprised of about 16,500 university students, giving the city the feel of a young and vibrant "college" town. Aesthetically pleasing, Alcala de Henares has a wonderful mixture of harmonious streets and noble architecture including impressive university buildings dating back to the 16th century, contemplative events, and graceful storks which nest at the top of the buildings in the city center. Cervantes Square is the central meeting place for faculty, students, and the city's inhabitants. Alcala itself offers many cultural and artistic attractions and the expanded opportunities of Madrid are readily accessible.
Course Structure
While in Alcala de Henares, participants will attend the Instituto Universitario Internacional. Students can attend classes that are divided into two sessions: Session I and Session II. Session I takes place for one month from the start to the end of June. Session II starts immediately after Session I and finishes at the end of July. You can decide if you want to attend one or both sessions. Ultimately, credit hours are awarded by the University of Alabama.
Credit Hours
Undergraduate students take two classes per session. Spanish major and minor students can apply these credit hours to fulfill their degree requirements. It is VERY important to note that a Spanish major who completes this program by attending both sessions and by taking two classes per section can earn 12 credits. A Spanish minor, however, can apply a maximum of 9 credit hours earned from this program to fulfill the minor requirements. Thus if a Spanish major who earned 12 credits from this program later changes to a Spanish minor, he or she will be required to complete additional coursework not associated with this program. At that point, the 3 hours (in excess of 9) earned from this program will NOT count toward fulfillment of a Spanish minor.
Travel
Classes and homework are a part of the UA in Spain program, but so is travel! Participants travel throughout Spain including day trips to Madrid, Toledo, Segovia, and a two-night stay in Granada and Asturias as part of the program. At your own expense, you can take advantage of being centrally located in Spain to travel on your own. The Program Director does discourage travel outside of Spain; however, you may submit the proper paperwork to go where you choose. Anyone who does travel outside of Spain does so at his or her own risk. Travelers who leave Spain are not covered by insurance or in any other way by the University of Alabama or by this program.
Living with a Host Family
There are many families in Alcala who regularly host our students in their homes, allowing foreign students the opportunity to live with a Spanish family in a totally Spanish atmosphere-an aspect that always proves enriching for both the visiting student and the hosting family.The families participating in our program are rigorously selected by the IUIN, and are evaluated not only on past experience hosting American students, but also on family atmosphere and hospitality. Our students, during their stay here in Alcala, are made to feel like a member of the family. Our host families offer:
- Vast experience in hosting foreign students
- Exceptional quality of facilities
- Each student is assured his/her own bedroom.
- Student bedrooms contain places for books, a study desk, and ample space for personal items.
- Each student is assured his/her own bathroom.
- Many houses have internet access, air conditioning, and/ or swimming pool.
- Our host families live no more than a 20 minute walk from the Historic Center of Alcala.
- All of the IUIN families live in areas with direct access to bus lines running to the Escuela Universitaria Cardenal Cisneros.
