Study in Spain!
Institution
USAC classes are located at La Universidad Politècnica de València (Polytechnic University of Valencia), a prestigious public university that prepares students to apply their potential to the benefit of society. UPV is one of the most prestigious public universities in all of Spain and ranked in the world’s top 200 universities for Engineering, Technology, and Natural Sciences.
Location
Located on Spain’s southeast coast, Valencia is a Mediterranean city in all aspects. Locals embrace outdoor living and recreation by taking advantage of the area’s temperate climate (average temperatures range between 48-77°F). Popular activities include strolling on one of the city’s seaside promenades, swimming at beaches that have received the highest environmental awards, or using ‘pedal-power’ to visit Valencia’s key cultural and historic sites—Valencia has been recognized as a bike-friendly city by the Cities by Bike Network, and has over 120 km (75 miles) of bike lanes and garden causeways that allow you to explore the city at your leisure.
Academic Calendar
- Fall Semester: Early September to Mid December
- Spring Semester: Early January to Mid May
- Summer I: Early June to Late June
- Summer II: Late June to Late July
For more information about the Academic Calendar please visit the
USAC Valencia webpage.
Housing
Students on the Valencia program have the option of living in a homestay with 3 meals a day or in apartments approximately 3 miles from the university. Host families will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. This option is recommend if your priority is to learn the language as quickly as possible. Apartment choices in Valencia are good, pretty, and affordable! USAC students will be placed in an apartment building in the downtown area and only 3 miles from the university. This apartment houses students from all over the world and living here will give you the chance to socialize and interact with Erasmus (a European Union student exchange program), and other international and Spanish students.
Financial
Program Costs
Paid to Appalachian State
| |
Semester |
| 1USAC Tuition |
See USAC |
| 1USAC Housing |
See USAC |
| 2OIED Program Development Fee |
$200 |
| Intl Health Development Fee |
$60 |
1Tuition and housing are charged at the USAC rate.
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 |
Summer |
| Airfare |
$1200 - $1800 |
$1200 - $1800 |
| USAC Application Fee |
$100 |
$100 |
| 1USAC Confirmation Deposit |
$500 |
$500 |
| Housing Deposit |
$300 |
$300 |
| 2Meals |
$300 - $1600 |
$50 - $340 |
| 3Personal Expenses |
$1200 - $2000 |
$300 - $400 |
| Books and Materials |
$120 - $240 |
$120 |
| Local Transportation |
$240 - $300 |
$50 - $100 |
| Visa (for US Citizens) |
$160 |
NA |
| Travel to Consulate for Visa Appt |
$100 - $300 |
NA |
| Passport |
$150 |
$150 |
| 4US Based Health Insurance |
Varies |
|
| 5Personal Travel and Spending |
$800 - $1500 |
$200 - $500 |
1Students are responsible for submitting a $500 non-refundable confirmation deposit to USAC after acceptance.
2Students selecting the homestay option should budget on the lower end for meals.
3Personal expenses includes but is not limited to: toiletries, cell phone, emergency funds, laundry, clothing, utilities, basic travel and entertainment, etc.
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.
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
USAC Scholarships
USAC offers a variety of scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 to $1000.
OIED Scholarships
Each semester OIED offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students. Scholarship awards range from $500 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
You will enroll in 12 to 18 credits per semester comprised of a language track plus electives in literature, culture, business or STEM fields. Course availability is contingent upon student enrollment and is subject to change. Students will be required to take Spanish language. USAC offers intensive language courses grouped into tracks in which courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in a track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it to be prepared for success at the next level. Language courses are small and typically have a maximum enrollment of 15 students each.
During the summer students will enroll in three to five credits per session. At least one 3-credit course is required each summer session. Course offerings are available in Spanish Language and Culture Studies as well as STEM courses. Course availability is contingent upon student interest and enrollment and is subject to change.
For more information about course options please visit the USAC Valencia webpage.
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). Students participating on the USAC Valencia program will be required to enroll in 12-18 credits during the semester and 3-5 credits during the summer. 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.
Students applying to a USAC program should complete the
USAC application while also completing the Appalachian application.
For more information about deadlines and how to apply please visit our
Guide Me webpage.
