Spanish Language & Culture

Universidad de Salamanca
Salamanca, Spain
;

Program Overview

Program Overview

  • Popular Subject Areas

    Spanish Language & Culture

  • Location

    Salamanca

  • Host University

    Universidad de Salamanca

    The Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), founded in 1218, is the oldest university in Spain. It is world-renowned for its specialization in the teaching of the Spanish language, making it ideal for study abroad students. The university buildings are spread amidst the golden sandstone cathedrals and cobblestone streets of Salamanca--a quaint, walkable, college town. Some of the greatest names in Spanish literature and humanism appear on USAL's list of past students and professors, including Miguel de Cervantes, Antonio de Nebrija, and Miguel de Unamuno.

    USAL’s Cursos Internacionales department, established in 1929, has a large offering of Spanish language and culture courses for foreign students. ISA students in Salamanca can take courses in English and Spanish with other international students through Cursos Internacionales or with local students in regular degree programs at the university. USAL is fully accredited and recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Education (Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia).

  • Term

    Summer 1 2025

  • Program Dates

    May 29, 2025 - Jun 28, 2025

  • Program Length

    Summer

  • Application Deadline

    Mar 25, 2025

  • Forms and Payment Deadline

    Apr 10, 2025

  • Credit

    80 - 100 Contact Hours

  • Eligibility

    2.50 Minimum GPA*

  • Cost

    $5,650

  • Apply Now

Study Abroad Program Description

Open to students of all language levels, you will rapidly improve your Spanish language abilities in this focused, intensive program. Beginning level courses focus solely on language acquisition while intermediate, advanced, and superior level courses expand on Spanish culture in addition to grammar. All students are required to take a Spanish language placement exam upon arrival in Salamanca. This exam will determine your language level and course selections are not confirmed until the results are available. Classmates are international students from all over the world. All classes are taught by Universidad de Salamanca faculty in the Cursos Internacionales department.

Students can participate in an Intensive Month program before this program begins for an extra cost. Please contact ISA for more details.

You can combine the Fall 1+Winter 1 OR the Winter 1 + Spring 1 sessions at a discounted price. For more information about this option, please contact your ISA Salamanca Program Manager.

A Spanish student visa is required for programs over 90 days and obtaining one may require out of state travel. Please contact your Site Specialist for more information pertaining to the process of acquiring a Spanish student visa.

Service-Learning in Salamanca
In addition to your academic courses, Study + Service-Learning programs allow you to serve alongside a local organization and engage in reflective assignments. Service-learning will develop your intercultural competency skills and increase your understanding of social issues in your host community. Visit the ISA Service-Learning website to see placement opportunities in Salamanca and for more information about how to receive academic credit.

 

Visa Information

A Spanish student visa is required for U.S. students participating in academic programs in Spain lasting 91 days or more. For non-U.S. citizens, you should contact your consulate to verify specific entry requirements. Please click on the "Spanish Visa Support" icon on the "What's Included" tab of this page to learn more about visa requirements and and the optional Spain Visa Service.

 

Enjoy Flexibility with ISA Flex

We’ve partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to help you overcome common study abroad challenges by adding an ASU Online course to your ISA program. With more than 2,100 courses to choose from, ISA Flex minimizes academic challenges, like major requirements and limited course options, so you can make the most of your experience abroad. Once you’ve applied, access the Flex form in your ISA Student Portal for more information on how to add this to your program and enroll in the course you need.

*Eligibility

MINIMUM GPA

Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.50.

MINIMUM ADMISSIONS PREREQUISITES

There is no language prerequisite for this program.

 

What's Included

Comprehensive Advising and Support

24-Hour Emergency

Comprehensive Health, Safety, and Security Support

Tuition at the Host University

Housing

Meals and Laundry Service

Internet Access

Insurance

Official Transcript from the Host University

Professional Development Toolbox

Full-Time Resident Staff

On-Site ISA Offices

Spanish Visa Support

Academics

Credits

Contact Hours

80 - 100

Recommended U.S. Semester Credits

5 - 6

Recommended U.S. Quarter Units

8 - 10

Academic Information

Course Selection

  • Beginning students take all four beginning-level courses listed below (250 total contact hours).
  • Intermediate, advanced and superior students take a required language course, plus two to three courses from the list below, each from a different category (200-250 total contact hours).

Estimated Language Level

  • Please use the following only as a guideline to determine what your language level may be. Your language level will ultimately be determined by a placement exam that you take on site. Each semester/quarter is of COLLEGE-LEVEL Spanish or the equivalent:
  • Beginning = 0-1 semesters/0-2 quarters
  • Intermediate = 2-3 semesters/3-5 quarters
  • Advanced = 4-5 semesters/6-8 quarters
  • Superior = 6+ semesters/9+ quarters

Course Credit & Transcript Information

  • Transfer credit is ultimately determined by the student's home university.
  • The transcript from the Universidad de Salamanca will reflect Contact Hours. Please be in touch with your home university to request approval of transfer credit for this program.

Courses

Filter by Subject

select allclear all

Universidad de Salamanca
Beginning
✓ Course Required
100 Contact Hours
✓ Course Required
50 Contact Hours
✓ Course Required
50 Contact Hours
✓ Course Required
50 Contact Hours
Intermediate
✓ Course Required
100 Contact Hours
Advanced
✓ Course Required
100 Contact Hours
Superior
✓ Course Required
100 Contact Hours
Category A
50 Contact Hours
50 Contact Hours
50 Contact Hours
Category B
50 Contact Hours
50 Contact Hours
Category C
50 Contact Hours
50 Contact Hours
Course Disclaimer
  • Courses and course hours of instruction are subject to change.

Support & Funding

ISA is here to support you when it comes to navigating identity questions related to traveling abroad, providing resources and information for your accessibility needs, and identifying funding for your program abroad.

SUPPORT TEAM

Our U.S. staff is available to support you though every stage of your study abroad journey. Please reach out with any questions about ISA programs or life on-site to your country-specific Program Manager.

Our on-site staff are there for you as soon as you arrive in country and will support you throughout your time abroad.

U.S. Team

Kamryn Chapman

Program Manager, Spain

Nina Ellsworth

Program Manager, Spain

SALAMANCA TEAM

Carmen Abanades Cruz

Resident Director, Spain

Beatriz de Miguel Martin

Student Services & Service-Learning Coordinator, Spain

Juan Eguiluz Pacheco

ISA Academic Director, Spain

Roberto de la Calzada Cuesta

Assistant Academic Director & Student Services, Spain

Rodrigo de Francisco Benito

Assistant Resident Director & Housing Coordinator , Spain

Identity Resources

Accessibility & Accommodations

With our wide portfolio of program types and locations, we’re confident there is a suitable, accessible program for each student.

Securing accommodations abroad can take time, so we ask that those with requests inform ISA early in the advising process. We recommend reaching out to your Program Manager or our Accessibility Team (accessibilityteam@worldstrides.com) to discuss your accessibility needs or accommodations abroad.

Destination Information

Our diversity pages for each ISA destination include information on Indigenous communities, languages, race and ethnicity, religion, LGBTQIA+, and disability access. We hope it will help when reflecting upon and contextualizing intersectionality in your host community.

Identity Blog

ISA offers students the opportunity to blog about their experiences abroad from their own diverse perspectives. These posts can be found on the ISA Student Blog, and interested students should email diversity@studiesabroad.com for more information.

Funding

All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, ISA offers a variety of scholarships to help cover your study abroad costs. To learn more about our scholarship opportunities, check out our scholarships & grants page!

If you receive financial aid from your home university, you can likely use those funds for study abroad, as well. Speak with your home university’s financial aid office to learn about your options. Check out steps for using financial aid.

Questions about scholarships and funding? Email us at higheredfinaid@worldstrides.org

Housing

Living in ISA housing will give you the opportunity to experience aspects of the Spanish lifestyle that are inaccessible to the average visitor. Uncovering the uniqueness of your neighborhood and the surrounding areas will help you to feel right at home. No matter which type of housing you choose, you will have a short commute to class. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 40 minutes depending on housing and class locations. With an open and adaptable mind the experience of living in another culture can be highly rewarding.

We strive to match your housing preferences with our available accommodations. However, housing preference requests cannot be guaranteed.

Homestay

Homestays are best if you are seeking full linguistic and cultural immersion during your time abroad. Each host family has been carefully selected by ISA's resident staff in order to best accommodate your needs and to ensure a comfortable living situation. Homestays provide three meals a day (except on ISA excursion days) and laundry service once a week. You will typically share a room with another ISA student of the same gender. Single rooms may be available for an additional fee.

Student Residence

The student residence (residencia in Spanish) is similar to a small dorm and is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The residencia houses Spanish and international students, giving you the opportunity to meet Spaniards and practice your language skills. Three meals per day are included, as well as laundry service once per week. Students will share a room with another ISA student but have the option of paying extra to secure an individual room.

A $300 housing deposit is required from students choosing this option as well as an extra surcharge. ISA may retain some, or all, of the housing deposit in the case of damage to property.

Independent Housing

You may opt to secure housing independently. If you select this option, you will receive a discount equal to the housing portion of the program price. By choosing to opt out of ISA housing, you are responsible for researching and reserving housing, and paying all fees, deposits, and rent directly to the housing facility that you choose.

Excursions

THERE’S MORE TO DISCOVER WITH ISA

Santander

The excursion will begin at El Sardinero beach, a beach in northern Spain that was famous in the nineteenth century as a popular tourist destination of the upper-middle class. You'll visit the Magdalena complex to see the palace is situated on top of the dramatic and picturesque peninsula. You'll also have the option to take a surf lesson while exploring Somo beach.. The next day, you will visit the impressive El Soplao Cave. The excursion will conclude with a visit the beautifully-preserved city of Santillana del Mar where you will be enchanted by the cobblestone streets and medieval architecture.

Segovia

Segovia is best known for its well-preserved 2nd century Roman aqueduct and the emblematic Moorish-style fortress (Alcázar) where the coronation of Queen Isabella I was held. You will visit these monuments and others on a guided walking tour. On the tour, you will also have the chance to take in breathtaking views of the Sierra de Guadarrama mountain range

Toledo

Your visit to Toledo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will begin with a panoramic bus tour of Toledo's unique hilltop then will continue on to the monastery of San Juan de los Reyes, Santa María la Blanca synagogue, Santo Tomé Church, and the Cathedral of Santa Maria.

Madrid

Madrid, Spain’s capital, will be your first taste of Spanish culture during the Bridging Cultures Orientation. You'll visit the famous Prado museum and have a guided tour through Madrid's city center to expand your knowledge of Spanish history, culture and politics.

Morocco * Optional

This multi-day, optional excursion takes you across Morocco, one of the most colorful and diverse countries in the world. It encompasses direct cultural encounters with locals, guided tours through the medina, and opportunities to learn the ins and outs of haggling with Moroccan vendors. You will have unforgettable experiences in the Sahara desert riding camels and waking up to see the spectacular views of the sunrise.

X

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer. Some are essential to make our site work; others help us improve the user experience. By using the site, you consent to the placement of these cookies.

Read our Privacy Policy to learn more.

Confirm