Alicante, Spain

Host Institution(s):
Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota

Term(s): 
Fall semester
Spring semester
Academic year

Program/University Overview:
The Center for Cross-Cultural Study(CC-CS) offers an exceptional opportunity for cross-cultural study in Alicante, Spain at the Universidad de Alicante (UA).  CC-CS  facilitates a true cross-cultural exchange by inviting students to expand their world-view through intense immersion into the Spanish culture.  UA is located twenty minutes outside of the city’s center.  UA was founded in 1979 to carry on the traditions of the University of Orihuela (1545-1834).  As the fastest growing university in Spain, with an enrollment of 33,000, the UA is dedicated to its mission to cultivate students’ academic and professional skills, while developing critical thinking and social sensitivity.

Website of Program/University:
http://www.spanishstudies.org/alicante

Unique Aspects of Program:
Some features of the program include: native Spanish professors; low student-professor ratios; on-site Resident Director and staff; internship opportunities; CC-CS scholarship program; all-inclusive day and overnight study trips; three-day weekends for travel; and intercambios with native speakers.

Country and/or City Information:

Location
Spain is located in Southern Europe and is the largest of the three sovereign nations that make up the Iberian Peninsula – the other two are Portugal and Andorra.  Alicante is the jewel of the Costa Blanca beaches stretched along the Mediterranean.  It has a population of about 320,000 in Alicante proper and about 435,000 when including the urban area.

Climate
Alicante is know for a very mild climate.  The average temperature is 68 °F (20 °C).

Time
When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, Spain is seven hours ahead.

Currency
The currency in Spain is the Euro.

More Information
Alicante City Guide – http://www.alicante.com/
Alicante, Spain – http://www.alicante-spain.com/
Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – http://www.consulate-spain-chicago.com/
Embassy of the United States Spain – http://madrid.usembassy.gov/
Spain Adventure – http://www.spainadventure.com/Contents/Cities/Valencia.htm
US Department of State Consular Information Sheet Spain – http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1024.html

Admission Requirements:
To be eligible, you must have completed 1 semester of intermediate college Spanish or the equivalent and have a 3.0 GPA in Spanish course work.

Courses Offered:
The program begins with a one-month intensive language and culture class.  After this month, you continue with either the Spanish language & Culture Program or the Integrated Studies with Spanish Students Program.  In the Spanish Language & Culture Program, you study with other international students for whom Spanish is not their first language.  In the Integrated Studies Program, you take courses with native Spanish students at the University of Alicante.  You earn 13-17 credits per semester.
Language & Culture Program course descriptions
Integrated Studies Program course descriptions

Housing:
You live in a Spanish home.  The homestay includes full room and board.

Cost: 
If you are a student at one of the US Lasallian universities or colleges, you will remain enrolled at your school and pay tuition and program fees there.  Tuition is based on your campus tuition rates and may include an additional surcharge depending on the program.  Contact the person on your campus responsible for study abroad.

Scholarship Information:
CC-CS has a scholarship program that is open to all participants.  Awards recipients are chosen based on the submission of an original essay in Spanish, an essay in English, and a faculty recommendation.  Students may receive awards up to $2,500.  For an application, go to http://www.spanishstudies.org/index.php?id=241