The Department of Spanish and Portuguese hosts several study abroad programs designed for immersion language learning for undergraduates; Majors and Minors. These programs offer real world settings for language skills practice and cultural awareness development under the guidance of our faculty and local educators.
Alcalá de Henares, Spain
The academic program is designed to accommodate the needs, interests and qualifications of the individual students while taking advantage of the environment to increase students' facility in the Spanish language and heighten their awareness of Spanish culture through direct contact. Students may elect to study for one semester, for the entire academic year, or in summer.
Students may enroll for 12 credits per semester (or 6 credits in summer) and choose among the following courses:
- SPAN 325 Intermediate Grammar and Writing
- SPAN 330 Intermediate Conversation
- SPAN 340 Phonetics
- SPAN 350 Readings in Literary Genres
- SPAN 371A Spanish for Business and Economics
- SPAN 400 Survey of Spanish Literature
- SPAN 401 Survey of Latin American Literature
- SPAN 425 Advanced Grammar and Composition
- SPAN 430 Spanish Civilization
- SPAN 435 Cervantes
- SPAN 449A Topics in Hispanic Literature
Course offerings are subject to sufficient enrollment. Acceptance into the program will be based on academic standing and approval by program director. Each student must be interviewed by Professor Berigan who will also verify the selection of classes.
Fortaleza, Brazil
The University of Arizona offers students the opportunity to study the Portuguese language intensively during a six week summer program. The summer program will include cultural visits around Fortaleza and to nearby sites such as Jericoacoara, Cumbuco, and Canoa Quebrada.
The growing relationship between Brazil and the United States is the rationale behind the development of this program; as Brazil develops on the world economic scene, there will be a growing range of opportunities for Portuguese speakers.
During the Summer, the UA offers an intensive 6-week summer language and culture program, which is supplemented by several lectures on modern Brazil, Brazilian cinema and literature, and visits to nearby cultural sites. Students at all levels of Portuguese instruction may participate in the Summer program, as well as students who are fluent in Spanish. Students will earn 6 units of UA credits in Portuguese during the Summer program.
Quesada, Costa Rica
Our program in Costa Rica will occur during Summer Session 1 and consist of five weeks of Spanish immersion. Students will receive a total of 80 hours of classroom instruction with experienced professors from the University of Arizona and the Universidad Isaac Newton. Local families host our students, providing them with a taste of the real "Tico" life. By the end of the program, participants will fully understand the meaning of "Pura Vida," the Costa Rican national phrase. As part of the program, students will participate in class projects and community outreach programs, which give them the opportunity to further develop their conversational skills.
Courses Available
Students may enroll in up to 8 credits per session. Courses include:
- Span 101: First Semester Spanish
- Span 102: Second Semester Spanish
- Span 201: Third Semester Spanish
- Span 202: Fourth Semester Spanish
- Span 251: Intermediate Spanish
Other courses can be arranged as needed by students. Class placement will be based on courses previously taken and pre-departure interviews conducted by the program director. Students may also register for UA journalism courses, including environmental journalism, ethics, feature writing, and international media systems (contingent on enrollment).
Valladolid, Spain
Home to beautiful castles, magnificent museums, and a lively local student population, Valladolid is the perfect place to immerse yourself in everything Spain has to offer! This program is designed to connect your environment to your ability to speak and understand the Spanish language - Get ready for language and cultural immersion in Valladolid, Spain! The academic program is designed to accommodate the needs, interests and qualifications of the individual students while taking advantage of the environment to increase students' facility in the Spanish language and heighten their awareness of Spanish culture.
Students can enroll in 6 credits during the six week session:
- SPAN 325 Intermediate Grammar and Writing
- SPAN 330 Intermediate Conversation
- SPAN 340 Phonetics
- SPAN 350 Readings in Literary Genres
- SPAN 400 Survey of Spanish Literature
- SPAN 430 Spanish Civilization or Segovia, Patrimonio de la Humanidad
- SPAN 435 Cervantes
- SPAN 450 Conversation and Writing Skills
Course offerings are subject to sufficient enrollment. Acceptance into the program will be based on academic standing and approval by the Director of the Study Abroad Program, Professor Yadira Berigan, and the Resident Director. Each student will be interviewed by the Resident Director who will also verify the student's selection of classes.
Viña del Mar, Chile
The program in Viña del Mar offers a unique combination of opportunities for pursuing a study abroad experience. It offers students the opportunity to complete their language requirement and earn general education credits. It also offers the advanced learner the opportunity to pursue work in upper division Spanish classes and advance on work toward their major or minor in Spanish. The academic program is designed to accommodate the needs, interests and qualifications of the individual students while taking advantage of the environment to increase students' facility in Spanish language and heighten their awareness of Spanish culture.
Courses available:
- Spanish 210 Latin America on Film**
- SPAN 251 Intermediate Spanish
- Spanish 325 Intermediate Grammar and Writing
- Spanish 330 Intermediate Conversation
- Spanish 340 Phonetics
- Spanish 350 Reading in the Literary Genres
- Trad 103 The Arts and Politics in Latin America* *
- Spanish 480 Service Learning-Community Involvement
**Tier 1 Traditions and Cultures taught in English.
**Tier 2 Latin America on Film taught in English.
Students will enroll for between 12 and 15 credits based upon their level of Spanish proficiency, their need for general education credits, and other factors. Course offerings are subject to sufficient enrollment. Acceptance into the program will be based on academic standing and approval by the Director of Overseas Studies for the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, Professor Yadira Berigan, and the Program Director, Professor José Promis. Each student will be interviewed by Professor Berigan, who will also verify the student's selection of classes. Classes will be held Monday through Thursday on the campus of the Universidad de Viña del Mar. This will allow students ample time for individual travel. Several group excursions are also planned including an exciting vistit to Buenos Aires, Argentina.