CIEE Study Center at Universidad de Sevilla and Universidad Pablo de Olavide: Liberal Arts

  Spain

• Seville: 
Seville (Sevilla)

Term: Academic Year, Fall, Spring 
Dates: Fall 15 or 21 weeks: late Aug-mid-Dec or late Jan; Spring 18 or 24 weeks: early Jan-late May or late June/early July; Academic Year 39 or 42 weeks: late Aug-late-May or late June/early July

Description: The goal of the Liberal Arts program is to help students improve their spoken and written Spanish while allowing them to pursue coursework in a wide variety of fields. These goals are achieved through the academic program, the homestay, excursions and cultural activities, conversation exchanges, and volunteer opportunities.

Academic Program
The CIEE Liberal Arts program began in 1971 and is designed for students at the advanced level to improve their spoken and written Spanish while pursuing coursework in a variety of subjects. In addition to a range of courses offered by CIEE, students can also choose to directly enroll in a Universidad de Sevilla or Universidad Pablo de Olavide course.

Online Placement Exam
Prior to arrival in Seville, all students take the CIEE online placement exam. It is very important that all students take this exam during the scheduled exam dates. The purpose of this exam is to determine the student's level of Spanish so that he or she may be placed in appropriate language courses. Students should take this exam seriously as placement in many upper level courses depends upon a high online placement exam score.

Academic Culture
All courses meet two to three times a week and classes are scheduled every day, Monday through Friday. Instruction is usually lecture style.

CIEE Study Center courses and Cursos para Extranjeros offered during the fall semester finish before Christmas. Final exams for regular university classes at UPO may be taken early during both semesters if necessary. At the Universidad de Sevilla, exams take place in late January and late June/early July. In some cases, professors may be willing to administer the final exam earlier than the officially scheduled date, but CIEE cannot be responsible for arranging or guaranteeing early exams.

At the end of the fall semester, academic year students have a break for the late December and early January holidays celebrated in Spain. Students who are enrolled in regular university classes must be back in Seville by January 6, following the holiday called Reyes, to continue classes and take final exams. Students who choose to take the advanced literature class during the spring semester intensive session, must be back in Seville by the third week of January. All other academic year students must be back the first week of February.

During the fall, there is no extended vacation period. During the spring, two vacation periods take place: Semana Santa and Feria de Abril. The dates are not fixed, but students are normally free the week before Easter (Holy Week) and then again for one week approximately two weeks after Easter. While extracurricular activities and personal travel contribute to the student's experience, attendance in class is mandatory. Early departure for or late return from vacations is not allowed.

Highlights:

• One of the oldest and most prestigious study abroad programs in Spain, chosen by thousands of U.S. students since its inception in 1971
  
• Extensive course offerings-participate in the student publication Más+Menos
  
• Weekly cultural activities and excursions throughout Seville and Andalusia
  
• CIEE-facilitated immersion in the local community through special interest groups, homestays, Intercambios, and volunteer opportunities

Immersion
Tertulia Series and Personal Development Workshops
Every semester, CIEE staff organize a series of informal lectures and workshops dedicated to personal development while living abroad. Staff organizes workshops dealing with a variety of themes such as culture shock, dating across cultures, eating well, stress management, organizational skills, and re-entry at the end of the semester.

Intercambios
A conversation exchange program with native Spanish students is an important part of the program. Intercambios give students the chance to practice what they are learning in the language courses, as well as help them become more integrated into Spanish student life, and Sevillano life and culture.

Community Involvement
Students have the opportunity to work with children and the elderly, as well as other humanitarian associations. Students may also become involved in international organizations such as Amnesty International. Volunteer teaching opportunities in local schools are also available for future teachers.

Student Publication, Más+Menos
The Liberal Arts program publishes a magazine each semester called Más+Menos. Language professors coordinate work on this project with students. Each magazine adopts a different theme - fiestas in Spain, the Guadalquivir River, Women in Spain, and Immigration are past themes. Students work closely with professors to choose topics, write articles, conduct interviews, take photographs, and contribute to the design and layout. Student participation is highly encouraged on this fun, challenging, and rewarding project.

Cost in US$: See below for CIEE Fees

The CIEE fees for 2007-08 include an optional on-site airport meet and greet, full-time leadership and support, tuition, housing, all meals, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, field trips to such places as Granada, Córdoba, Carmona, Extremadura, Itálica, and Ronda, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

Experience Required: yes

* Overall GPA 2.75
* 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent.

This Program is open to World Wide Participants.

Participants Travel to Spain Independently

Scholarships are Available. - We have several scholarships that students can apply for. Contact CIEE for more details.

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Transcript
• Written Application

CIEE's Mission Statement: Since 1947, the Council on International Educational Exchange, known as CIEE, has been in pursuit of its mission, "to help people gain understanding, acquire knowledge, and develop skills for living in a globally interdependent and culturally diverse world." Our services to young people studying, working, teaching, and traveling abroad are more important than ever. As we look ahead, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles and values that guide this mission statement.

Year Founded: 1947