The Program

UW-Eau Claire has been sending students to the Spanish Language & Culture Program for Foreign Students at University of Valladolid for more than 20 years! Join in this great tradition.

The program immerses you in intensive study of Spanish language and literature. Courses are small and taught at various levels depending on your proficiency. Spanish professors teach the classes, but all students in the program are non-native Spanish speakers and most are from the United States. Excursions to several near-by cities are included in the program cost.

You will live with a host family, usually with another US student. Past students say that living with a family is one of the most valuable parts of their study abroad experience. You will learn as much at the dinner table as you do in the classroom.

Location

Valladolid (pop. 350,000) is located 120 miles north of Madrid in Castilla and León. Many historic events have taken place in the city: the proclamation of Fernando III 'El Santo' as King of Castile, the wedding of Isabel de Castilla and Fernando de Aragón, Christopher Columbus's death, and Felipe II's birth.

Today, Valladolid is an agricultural and industrial center with an active cultural life. The Pisuerga River passes through the city, providing fishing, boating and swimming. Valladolid houses the National Museum of Sculpture, famous Holy Week processions, museums of Cervantes and Zorrilla, and diverse architecture. Off the beaten tourist track, it is an ideal location for practicing your Spanish.

Excursions to cities such as Segovia, Avila, El Escorial, and Madrid are included in the program cost. In addition, Valladolid is an ideal starting point for exploring Spain, Portugal and North Africa, as well as other parts of Europe. France, Austria, Italy, Switzerland, or Germany are all within a day's travel.

Courses

During either semester you will take courses in Spanish language, literature, and civilization after being placed in one of three language levels. Classes meet Monday through Friday.

During fall semester you will earn 12 credits. Fall course offerings typically include:

During spring semester you will earn 16 credits. Spring course offerings typically include:

Academic Calendar

Fall semester runs from the end of September to the middle of December. There are no breaks during the 12-week semester. Spring semester program runs from early January to mid May, with a two-week spring break.  Exact program dates are determined the semester prior to departure.

Expenses

The estimated Fall 2009 Wisconsin resident charge is $5,485 for a 12-week program. The estimated Spring 2010 Wisconsin resident charge is $8,080 for a 16-week program. This includes full-time UW-Eau Claire tuition, room and meals with a Spanish family, CISI insurance, program excursions, and administrative fees. Minnesota residents add reciprocity, while non-residents should add $900 for out-of-state fees.

Additional costs: passport, visa, books, personal expenses, local transportation, and airfare. Estimate another $2,200 for these expenses in fall and another $2,850 in spring. 

Total Wisconsin resident estimated cost for the fall semester is $7,685. Total Wisconsin resident estimated cost for the spring semester is $10,930. Cost estimates may change at any time.

Financial Aid/Scholarships

If you qualify for financial aid, you can apply your aid to program costs. Your aid package will be based on actual costs in Spain, including the cost of round-trip airfare. You can learn about additional options, including a study abroad grant through the UW-Eau Claire Foundation; a Wisconsin Grant for Study Abroad and scholarships for specific majors and national study abroad scholarships at http://uwec.edu/CIE/sac/finaid.htm.

Eligibility

To apply, you must be a currently-enrolled, degree-seeking undergraduate UW-Eau Claire student.   You must be in good academic standing and have a cumulative resident GPA of 2.8 or higher. You may apply as a freshmen but need to have at least sophomore standing and have completed 5 semesters of university-level Spanish (through Spanish 301) prior to participation.

Application Deadline

Applications for Fall 2009 are accepted beginning September 2, 2008. The priority application deadline for Fall 2009 is November 17, 2008.

Applications for Spring 2010 will be accepted beginning January 15, 2009.  The priority application deadline for Spring 2010 is April 1, 2009.  

Complete applications will be reviewed after this date.  Late applications will be considered if space on the program is still available.  Please contact the Center for International Education to find out if spaces are available before submitting a late application.  No applications will be accepted after January 30, 2009 for Fall 2009 or after May 1, 2009 for Spring 2010.

You can download an application at online applications, or stop by to pick up an application in the Center for International Education.

Student Comments

Valladolid was an opportunity of a lifetime. I was able to expand my knowledge of the language, culture, and meanwhile discovered things about myself. I would not change or take back this experience for anything and I am sure once I get back to the states I will want to come right back. -Kalee, past participant

A lot of people say studying abroad is a once in a lifetime experience, I think studying abroad is an experience that my life would not have been complete without.-Nicolee, past participant

Spain gave me the opportunity to see a new part of the world. I finally had a chance to experience a Spanish culture and use my speaking skills in every day life. -Renee, past participant

It is impossible for me to sum up my experience in Spain with words. Its an experience that you have to feel. I have learned so much more than I ever expected about the Spanish language and culture, but mostly, I have learned an immense amount about myself. -Melissa, past participant

Spain was such a wonderful experience and I learned so much about myself and a new culture while I was here. I am going home a completely different person and I LOVE IT!! I can't wait to return to Spain. -Katie, past participant

I had a wonderful experience in Spain. I absolutely loved the food, my host family, and the Spanish culture. The classes were great, and the professors here were awesome. -Jessica, past participant

For anyone who is learning a foreign language it is extremely beneficial to study in a place where that language is the native language. The Valladolid, Sprain program is particularly beneficial because Valladolid is off the beaten tourist path, and therefore I feel this city offers better immersion into the language. Also, the opportunity to live with a host family and taking classes taught by Spaniards are very enriching.
--Jennifer, past participant

I will never forget my experience in Valladolid. The teaching staff really cares about you and my Spanish improved so much. My host family was amazing and I always felt like part of the family. There is so much opportunities to travel so I got to see so many places. It has changed my life in so many ways.--Rachel, past participant

My experiences in Spain were wonderful! I learned all about the Spanish culture and the Spanish people. I got to travel all over Spain and experience some of the biggest festivals in Spain first hand. It was definitely a priceless experience!--Megan, past participant

Being in Spain made my classes more interesting because you really wanted to know what class was about to understand the culture that you are living in. I am so glad that I decided to study in Spain, it was a life changing experience- and I would recommend it to anyone!!--Meghan, past participant

Five months abroad living with a host family, taking classes taught by Spanish professors, and traveling the country have been a tremendous and enriching opportunity to improve my acquisition of the Spanish language and to begin to truly understand the dynamic character and complexity of the Spanish culture.--Jennifer, past participant

AMAZING. Everyday is an adventure, but at the same time, little by little, you create a real SPANISH LIFE with friends and favorite places. This is the best part of studying abroad. You become intertwined with the culture.--Ashley, past participant

My study abroad experience was even better than I had expected. My host family became like my real family and my Spanish skills improved immensely. I also gained a new sense of independence and more self confidence. The time passed too quickly and this is an experience that I will look back on with pride and will remember forever. --Sara, past participant

I have had the time of my life studying abroad. I have learned more in these 5 short months than I ever would have imagined. Everything here is different from the language, culture, food, celebrations and once you quickly get used to that…it’s very hard to leave. I wouldn’t change anything about my time abroad…-Jessica, past participant

Studying abroad in Spain was the best experience of my life thus far. Although at times it was hard, I have learned so much, not only about myself, but also another culture and language. --Calli, past participant

Studying abroad is a wonderful way to not only enhance your resume but to meet people from all over the world, in your classes and while traveling, and to understand a new culture. It is a marvelous thing to be in the minority for once. It changes your outlook on the world while at the same time, opening doors for you when you get back to the States. --Jennifer, past participant

Not only can you learn another language...but you learn another culture, more about the world...and most importantly more about who you are and what you are capable of doing when you're on your own. -Nicole, past particpant

Even when I wasn't in class I was constantly learning. -Jim, past participant

I have gained so much from this experience that I could never have gotten in any other place in the world at any other time--things like growing up as a person, realizing more clearly what I want to do with my life, and realizing what I want to do in school right now. -Jeffrey, past participant

This is something I would very strongly recommend, even if you're just thinking about doing it.  Don't worry about not graduating in four years, worry about the quality of education that you can get by studying abroad.  Even if you are just hesitating....go for it!!  In the end you'll be glad you did it.  Why? because I guarantee you won't have an experience to compare this one to.  Most of what you learn over here is really hard to put into words.  Yes, you will learn a lot of Spanish, you will taste the foods, you will travel, you will meet people, literally, from around the world.  What you take back home with you will be a whole lot more, and friends and family will want to know about that stuff but you'll find it hard to describe. – Ben, past participant

Additional Information

For more information and a program application, contact:

Center for International Education
Schofield 111

Phone: (715) 836-4411
Fax: (715) 836-4948
Email: studyabroad@uwec.edu