Spring Semester in Oviedo, Spain

University of Massachusetts Amherst
Spanish and Portuguese

General Information
Located in Oviedo, the capital of the Principado de Asturias, the program has the advantages of a large cosmopolitan area rich in artistic and historical monuments. Oviedo is also 25 minutes away from the beautiful port and beach city of Gijón in northern Spain, while at the same time has a mild climate.

The program is offered jointly with the University of Oviedo. The University of Oviedo was founded in 1574 and began its teaching activities in 1608. Today, about to celebrate its four hundredth anniversary, it has become a prestigious institution. Since 1978 the University has been holding Spanish Language and Culture Courses for International students. Over the past twenty-five years , the university has developed a solid and efficient infrastructure fully integrated in the university framework.

Photos of Universidad de Oviedo, Spain.

Knowledge of Spanish
Proficiency in Spanish equivalent to someone that has successfully completed a 4th semester of college level Spanish is required (Spanish 240, Spanish 246, or Spanish 242 at U Mass Amherst or High School equivalent). Students earn up to 15 University of Massachusetts undergraduate credits in Spanish Language, History, Art, Culture and Literature.

Course offerings (subject to minor changes)
Level of students determined by previous course work and by testing upon arrival at Oviedo. List of courses for International students at Universidad de Oviedo:

Program for INTERMEDIATE LEVEL. All are 3 credit 300 level courses.
Spanish Language: Grammar in the Communicative Context. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Language: Commentary of Texts. Specialised Vocabulary. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Language: Phonetics and Phonology. Theory and Practice . 3 hours per week
Introduction to Translation: English/Spanish. 3 hours per week
Spanish Literature. 3 hours per week.
History of Spain. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Art. 3 hours per week.

Program for ADVANCED LEVEL. All are 3 credits 400 level courses.
Spanish Language: Grammar in the Communicative Context. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Language: Commentary of Texts. Specialised Vocabulary. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Language: Phonetics and Phonology. Theory and Practice . 3 hours per week
Translation: English/Spanish. 3 hours per week
Spanish Literature. 3 hours per week.
History of Spain. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Art. 3 hours per week.
Commentary of Literary Texts. 3 hours per week.
Culture of Latin America: Literature, History, Civilisation. 3 hours per week.
Spanish Society and Culture.3 hours per week

For more info, go to:
Universidad de Oviedo International Program webpage

Cultural Activities Program

1. Full university tuition
2. All university fees
3. Lodging with all meals
4. Course materials
5. Cultural activities each month
6. Three excursions supervised by the UMass Program Resident Coordinator
7. Direct supervision by two UMass Residents coordinators on-site
8. All administrative expenses covered (processing of application, etc.)
9. Orientation meetings before students leave for Spain
10. Orientation meetings with on-site coordinators in Spain (4 during the whole semester)
11. Counseling and advise with University of Oviedo faculty supervisor (exclusive to the UMass program in Oviedo)
12. University of Massachusetts faculty supervisor in charge of program (exclusive to UMass students before going to Oviedo).

Travel to and from the U.S is not included; cost of the roundtrip from the US to Oviedo should not exceed $1,000.

Should you now be receiving financial aid, your institution will most probably make it available for study abroad. Consult with your financial aid offices about procedures to follow.

Passport and Student Visa

Passport: Your Passport must be valid for the duration of the program

Visa: The Spanish government requires that US citizens studying in Spain obtain a visa before departure from the US from a Spanish Consulate

List of Spanish Consulates in the US

List of documents needed to obtain a student visa

Application Materials
You can download and print all application materials for the Program. They are available in PDF format (ready-to-print document readable with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader).

All applicants must send by mail the following:

1. Application form
2. Conditions of Membership for Non-UMass Students
3. Conditions of Membership for UMass Students
4. Student Evaluation Form
5. Checklist

Submit all supporting documents and/or items as indicated on the checklist. Make sure you keep copies for yourself of all forms.

Completed application materials, including a $500 non-reimbursable deposit (check or money order payable to University of Massachusetts) should be submitted by November 15th, 2006 for Spring 2007 program. Since enrollment is limited, early application is recomended.

Send materials to:
Oviedo Program Director
Spanish and Portuguese418 Herter Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003

If you apply and are accepted we will send you very complete travel, lodging, and local academic information materials. For additional information contact:

418 Herter Hall
University of Massachusetts
Amherst, MA 01003
Tel.: (413) 545-2887
Fax: (413) 545-3178