Study for a Semester Spain!
Institution
The North Carolina Consortium for Study Abroad, in cooperation with the Universidad de Cantabria, offers a fall or spring semester abroad program in Spain. On this program, which began in 1985, undergraduates from six North Carolina campuses, as well as qualified students from other institutions, have the opportunity to spend a semester in the coastal city of Santander, taking classes from Spanish professors in Spanish geography, literature, art, history and language.
Location
Santander is a beautiful city set on a sparkling bay on Spain's northern coast, approximately 300 miles from Madrid and 150 miles from the French border. A one-day ferry links the city to England. Santander is also within easy reach of some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in Spain, as well as the caves of Altamira, which have been called the "Sistine Chapel of Prehistoric Art," and the picturesque village, now a national monument, of Santillana del Mar. Excursions An integral aspect of the Semester in Spain program is the travel beyond Santander made available to students.
Excursions
Various excursions are carefully designed to complement the academic program. The Faculty Director will design these excursions each semester. Students will visit various points of interest in the region as well as two to three weekend-long excursions. These usually include a three-day tour to Madrid, Toledo and Salamanca. In the past, trips have also been taken to Santiago de Compostela, Granada and Barcelona. These excursions are mandatory and are subject to change based on program discretion and the current economic conditions.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Early September to Early/Mid December
- Spring Semester: Early/Mid January to Mid April
Housing
Participants will be housed in carefully-selected homestays located within easy access (either by foot or by city bus) to the Universidad, to downtown, and to the beaches. One student will be assigned to one Spanish family where they will have the opportunity to live alongside of and learn from Spanish locals.
Financial
Program Costs
Program Fees
| |
Semester |
| 1Fall 2020 |
$TBD |
| 1Spring 2020 |
$12,350 |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
| Intl Health Development Fee |
$60 |
1Program Cost includes Roundtrip airfare from Charlotte, Homestay, 3 meals a day, laundry, International Health and Evacuation Insurance, Tuition, and Excursions. As a part of the program cost students will need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $1000 to UNC Charlotte after their acceptance.
2The OIED Program Development Fee will be placed on students’ accounts upon acceptance by the Education Abroad Office. The fee payment confirms your spot and is non-refundable.
Estimated Additional Costs
| |
Semester |
| 1UNCC Application Fee |
$135 |
| 2Personal Expenses |
$800 - $1500 |
| Additional Meals |
$200 - $400 |
| Books and Materials |
$50 |
| Local Transportation |
$50 - $100 |
| 3Visa (for US Citizens) |
$160 |
| Passport |
$150 |
| 4US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
| 5Personal Travel & Spending |
$800 - $1500 |
1Application fee is submitted to UNCC with 2nd step application.
2Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, clothing, utilities, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
3Visa cost estimate does not include potential travel to the Consulate.
4Students are encouraged to maintain a US based health insurance plan while abroad (to exempt out of AppState insurance students must follow the App exemption process - proving that they have insurance coverage for the entirety of the semester).
5Personal Travel and Spending amounts will vary by student and will be affected by how often a student goes out, travels, and the items they purchase.
Please note that non-billable costs are estimates only and will be affected by personal spending habits, currency fluctuations, etc. Prices listed in USD unless otherwise noted.
Students are encouraged to start planning for their study abroad program costs well in advance. Please use the Student Financial Planning Worksheet to help estimate your anticipated expenses and your anticipated financial resources. When planning for estimated additional costs students are encouraged to research currency conversion rates. To see a total of the estimated costs for this program please visit the program budget sheets: Fall, Spring.
Financial Aid
The majority of financial aid and scholarships can apply to semester and year-long study abroad programs. For more information please visit the Office of Student Financial Aid web page.
Scholarships
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $250 to $2000.
Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program application is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Fund for Education Abroad
Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
For information about additional scholarships please visit our External Scholarships web page.
Academics
Students can earn 12 - 15 credits on the Semester in Spain program. All students will take the mandatory Intensive Spanish Grammar course for 6 credits during the first month of the program. After the first month, students will then take their elective courses until the end of the program. Students are required to take at least 2 electives and are able to enroll in all 3. The elective options are: Introduction to Spanish Literature, History of Spain, and Spanish Art & Geography. For more information about course offerings please visit the UNC Charlotte Cantabria web page
All students are expected to maintain at least the equivalent of a full time course load according to Appalachian State and the host university while abroad (whichever is greater). For more information about study abroad enrollment policies, credit approval, and credit and grade conversions please visit the Academics section of our website.
How to Apply
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and some programs may fill up before the listed deadline. Each year applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer will open up on August 1st. Once open the deadline will be listed below and an Apply Now button will be available at the top and bottom of this page. Most applications will have a 2 part application process so students are encouraged to complete their OIED application well before the listed deadline.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me web page.