A Comprehensive Guide to FLLT Study Abroad Programs for 100-level Spanish students
Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands, Mexico, and Spain . . . what comes to your mind? History, ancient civilizations, archeological ruins, bustling city life, peaceful nature hikes… all of this and more. Each of these programs has been carefully designed with the Spanish student in mind. If you need to find specific information about the courses offered, visit the CFIS website:
http://www.udel.edu/studyabroad
*SUMMER programs: two in Spain, Granada and Madrid
*All other programs are WINTER SESSION programs
*There are also SEMESTER programs: Fall in Granada, spring in Costa Rica and Granada
Argentina (this program is co-sponsored by FLLT and the Latin American Studies departments): based in the capital city of Buenos Aires, with excursions to Iguazú Falls on Argentina's northern border with Brazil, to the Andes Mountains and to the beach. Other program activities include a visit to a cattle ranch, museums, churches, historical monuments and a tango show.
The courses offered typically include two Spanish courses at the upper level (one of which fulfills the Arts & Science Group B requirement), an upper level course in Latin American Studies and upper level courses in either Political Science or History.
Brazil (this program is co-sponsored by FLLT and the Latin American Studies departments): The program will begin in Rio de Janeiro and continue in João Pessoa. This hospitable city, Brazil’s greenest and third oldest, boasts 23 kilometers of sandy urban beaches and a brilliant turquoise ocean. In João Pessoa, you will stay with Brazilian families and your coursework will be at the Cultura Inglesa Institute.
The courses offered typically include Portuguese 207, 315, 367 and FLLT 320 (Literature in Translation.)
Costa Rica: based in San José, with excursions to Volcán Arenal and the Tabacón Hot Springs, the Pacific coast, several visits to various national parks to explore volcanoes such as Poás and Irazú, a cloud forest, a butterfly farm, the Colonial Capital of Cartago and a coffee plantation.
The courses offered typically include Spanish 107 and two Spanish courses at the 200-level, one of which fulfills the Arts & Science Group B requirement.
Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands: based in the capital city of Quito, with 7-9 days aboard a Scuba Cruise in the Galápagos, and also includes excursions to the Amazon jungle, the Ecuadorian highlands at Papallacta Hot Springs, Santo Domingo de los Colorados for a white-water rafting trip, and the indigenous markets at Otavalo, famous world-wide for their weavings and jewelry.
The courses offered typically include two Spanish courses at the 200-level, one of which fulfills the Arts & Science Group B requirement, one Spanish course at the 300-level, and a SCUBA certification course with PADI, the internationally recognized leader in diving.
Mexico: currently there are two programs in Mexico, one in Mérida and one in Puebla (for upper-level Spanish courses). The Mérida program includes visits to the ruins of Chichen Itzá, Cobá, and Tulúm, Playa del Carmen, Kabáh, Dzibilchaltún, cities such as Progreso and Izamál, and sites and events of cultural and historical importance (a tortilleria, the Procession of the Child of Atocha, the Anthropological Museum, etc.).
The courses offered in Mérida typically include two Spanish courses at the 200-level, one of which fulfills the Arts & Science Group B requirement, and upper-level courses in Political Science or Art History.
Spain: the Department of Foreign Languages & Literatures sponsors winter and summer sessions in Granada and a summer session in Madrid (for upper-level Spanish courses). The winter and summer sessions in Granada include excursions to the Palacio Real and the Prado museum in Madrid, to the medieval cities of Segovia and Toledo in Central Spain, visits to the Andalusian cities of Córdoba, Seville, and Cádiz, and of course, excursions to the famous "Costa del Sol”.
The courses offered typically include Spanish 107 and two Spanish courses at the 200-level, one of which fulfills the Arts & Science Group B requirement.
If you have questions about any program, contact the program director. The program director’s name will be listed at the Center for International Studies web page. There will also be one or two “Interest Meetings”; the dates and locations will be posted on the Web and in The Review.
The cost of each program is divided between two categories: the program fee and the tuition:
¨ The program fee is program-specific, and ranges between $2,300 and $4,000, depending on the nature of the excursions. For example, the SCUBA cruise in the Galápagos is expensive, which explains the higher program fee. The program fee usually includes your round-trip airfare, all meals and lodging, and program excursions… but you should read carefully on the web site.
¨ The tuition is student-specific, and depends on if you are a Delaware resident. Tuition rates can be found on the general University web site. If you receive financial aid, you should contact the Financial Aid Office to determine if winter or summer session tuition is covered.
When you look at the cost for each program, remember that you are looking at the cost of at least one month of living abroad. Also, compare this cost to a trip sponsored by, for example, the Smithsonian Educational Travel groups, and you will see how fair the prices are. Also remember that *scholarships are available.
Once you have decided which program fits your needs and interests, follow this procedure:
1. Go to the Center for International Studies (CFIS) website, at:
http://www.udel.edu/studyabroad
2. Click on “Apply Now” – You will be guided through the application process page by page
Here are more helpful tips:
¨ You will need someone to write you a letter of recommendation. This person may be a University professor, high school teacher, employer – anyone who knows you well. This recommender fills out the letter online, at the same website mentioned above.
¨ After you fill out the online application, you must go to the Student Services building on Lovett Ave. and pay your deposit in the amount of $200.00. Make sure to fill out the receipt form with the correct program information, and do not lose this receipt.
*If you plan to apply for a SCHOLARSHIP:
¨ Get your application materials in EARLY! Some scholarships have a very early deadline.
¨ Some scholarships pay the entire program fee (“STARR”), while others pay a small portion of the program fee (“TEMAS”, CFIS and FLLT Merit-based). Be sure to check the CFIS web page.
¨ You will need an additional letter of recommendation (for a total of two). You will also be required to write an essay to explain your reasons for studying abroad and how you will benefit personally from the experience.
If you plan to minor in Spanish, you should study abroad. During all programs, students live with local families who care for them, share their knowledge of the area, and help them on their road to fluency in Spanish.
Even if you do not plan to minor in Spanish, there is simply no better way to fulfill the language requirement or gain valuable resume experience.