Eastern Illinois University Homepage

Disclaimer: EIU does not own, operate or sponsor this program.

	*Compare EIU's Spanish-language study abroad programs*
	Subjects:
	Business, Economics    Search for pre-approved courses for EIU credit
	Terms/Timeframe:
	Spring - 1/30/2012 to 5/18/2012 Fall - 10/1/2012 to 12/13/2012 Do not use these dates to purchase airfare; use dates provided by host.
	Language: Spanish
	Budget: Spring Fall
	Eligibility:
	Good Academic Standing Good Judicial Standing Good command of Spanish Economics or Business major
	Application Deadlines:
	Spring: October 1st (Priority Application Deadline). Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. If there is space available, applications will be acceptedafter Oct. 1, but there is no guarantee for space or admission at this point. Fall: March 1st (Priority Application Deadline). Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis and is limited. If there is space available, applications will be accepted after March 1, but there is no guarantee for space or admission at this point.
	Application Materials:
	EIU Application Materials Course Approval Form Salamanca Application Cursos Internacionales application Also, please complete a travel consult with Health Services before departing. All Application Materials should be turned in to the Office of Study Abroad in 1207 Blair Hall by the appropriate deadline.

Program Highlights

Universidad de Salamanca offers the Cursos Internacionales program for those who would like to improve their Spanish skills. The school has course options for all levels of Spanish speakers and students also choose how many hours of class they would like to take each day. Cursos Internacionales arranges weekend excurions and activities for its students.

Salamanca is a classic, Spanish city with rich architecture and history. The Plaza Mayor (pictured to the right) is the hub of life in the city; there is a constant flow of traffic throughout the day. Salamanca is Spain's oldest "college town".

I really enjoyed all of my professors. It was obvious that they wanted their students to succeed and their instruction was relevant and extremely useful. My host mom was open and willing to talk to me about anything I had a question about. She was an excellent resource for me. -- Kelsey Klank, Summer 2010 participant

Academic Programs

STRUCTURE
The program is organized into two modalities:

A. 10-week program:

1. January 11 – March 19, 2010
2. April 5 – June 11, 2010
3. October 4 – December 17, 2010

ACADEMIC PROGRAM:
Linguistic and cultural immersion program in the field of business and economy

Spanish language (100 hours): The goal of this course is to improve and widen the student’s Spanish language skills in the field of grammar structures and vocabulary using a communicative and functional approach. A whole range of tasks is offered to create real communicative settings for the students. This way the students should be able to understand and get feed-back on the way the new learned language contents are used.

Business Spanish (50 hours): The goal of this course is to acquire knowledge about a more specific aspect of Spanish language, in this case linked to the field of business companies and economy. Through a range of important business topics related to business companies, banking, work activities etc. students will not only acquire specific vocabulary but also improve and develop their four basic language skills.

On-site work experience (45 hours):Cursos Internacionales offers the opportunity to gain work experience in 6 out of the 10 companies offered. Students may choose those companies suited for them according to their own skills, interests, studies and work experience
The work experience program has 6 modules, 7.5 hours each. There will be groups of 5 students per company.

SCHEDULE

1. During the first three weeks of the program the students will attend 3 hours of class in the mornings (2 hours of Spanish language and 1 hour of business Spanish).
2. The following six weeks the students will attend 3 hours of class in the mornings (2 hours of Spanish language and 1 hour of business Spanish). On Tuesdays, Wednesday and Thursday they will have 2.5 hours of on-site work experience in the afternoons (7.5 hours of on-site work experience to be done in each company)

In the last week, in addition to the 3 hours of class every day (2 hours of Spanish language and 1 hour of business Spanish), students will have to pass exams on the course contents learned during the course.

B. Modular Program :

• Spring: January 25 – May 13

- Linguistic and cultural immersion program through the modular course. Four modules of 45 hours each have to be chosen. The following modules are mandatory: Spanish language and Economy of Spain. A third module has to be chosen from the modules offered in the modular course while a specific fourth module of on-site work experience is added.

• Fall: September 27 – December 17
  

- Linguistic and cultural immersion program through the modular course. Four modules of 45 hours each have to be chosen. The following modules are mandatory: Spanish language and Economy of Spain. A third module has to be chosen from the modules offered in the modular course while a specific fourth module of on-site work experience is added.

ACADEMIC PROGRAM:

1. Spanish Language (45 hours)
2. Economy of Spain (45 hours): The goal of this course is to acquire basic knowledge that may allow students to understand, interpret and discuss topics of current economy. Through the different course contents students shall be able to understand the relations between the different agents and the main economic realities. Special emphasis is placed on both the evolution of the Spanish economy and the existing connection between the economy and the political and social background of a country.
3. Third module to be chosen from the modules offered in the modular course (45 hours)
4. 45 hours of on-site work experience: Cursos Internacionales offers the opportunity to gain work experience in 6 out of the 10 companies offered. Students may choose those companies suited for them according to their own skills, interests, studies and work experience. The work experience program has 6 modules, 7.5 hours each.
   There will be groups of 5 students per company.

Student Life

The other students you will meet at Cursos Internacionales will be studying Spanish just like you; you will not be taking courses with regular Spanish students. However, you will have the opportunity to meet Spanish students or locals outside of class when you explore Salamanca.

At Cursos Internacionales, you will have the opportunity to take part in a variety of social and cultural activities and excursions organized by the school. In the past, Cursos Internacionales has offered excursions to other Spanish cities, such as: Madrid, Barcelon, Sevilla, Toledo, and many others!

Salamanca, itself, is a city of about 180,000 people and is described as a university city. From the 13th to 17th centuries, it was acknowledged as having the most prestigious university in the world. Salamanca's atmosphere of education and learning has remained over the centuries. Many students, Spanish and international, study in Salamanca. As you walk around the city, you will notice a lot of classic, Spanish architecture; Churriqueresque and Plateresque architecture styles were developed in Salamanca. Salamanca is a very walkable city, but city buses are also available for longer commutes.

To explore areas outside of Salamanca, you can easily take a bus or train to any area of the country. Train travel is also a good method of transportation for visiting other European countries.

Housing

During the regular academic year, students have the option to live with a host family (who will provide all meals) arranged by Universidad de Salamanca or find accommodation on their own in Salamanca. If you choose to live with a Spanish family, you simply need to check the appropriate box on your Salamanca application and indicate whether you would prefer a single room or double room.

During the summer, students can choose from two housing options offered by Salamanca. You can choose to live with a host family or live in the residence halls at Universidad de Salamanca. If you choose to live with a host family, all of your meals will be provided by the family. If you live on-campus in the residence halls, all of your meals will be provided by Cursos Internacionales. The residence hall option is not available during the normal year as on-campus housing is filled by regular full-time students at Universidad de Salamanca. You should indicate your housing preference on your Salamanca application form.

**You are responsible for making all housing arrangements and payments directly to Universidad de Salamanca.**

Foreign Entry Requirements

Passport
To enter Spain, you must have a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not currently have a valid passport, or if your passport will expire during the time you will be overseas, please go to the U.S. State Department web site for information on how to apply for/renew your passport.

Visa
Visa not required for tourist or business stays up to 90 days.  (**90-day period begins when entering Schengen countries).  U.S. medical report required for residency, student, and work permits.  For additional information, contact the Embassy of Spain, 2375 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20037 (202/452-0100 and 728-2330) or Consulate General in Chicago (312/782-4588).  Internet: www.spainemb.org

Travel Document Systems (TDS) can also provide you with helpful information on every country, including entry requirements, cultural information, travel conditions, economy, and more.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip.

**Please be aware that you are responsible for obtaining the most up-to-date information on entry requirements. The Office of Study Abroad only provides general information, as visa regulations and procedures are constantly changing. Please consult the Consulate for more information. **

Please note that EIU does not own, operate, or sponsor this program.