Study Abroad

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

Dates and Cost

The program runs from January 11 to May 23, 2009. Estimated costs are $9,600 for in-state Massachusetts Public Higher Education students; $10,000 for out-of-state Massahcusetts Public Higher Education students; $11,000 for all others. Program cost includes:

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).

Costs not included in program price are the following: $750 education abroad fee, spending money and roundtrip airfare to Spain estimated between $800-$1,200.

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 pickup an application in the education Abroad Advising Center in Hills South, Room 455.

Send application materials to:
Cristina Sosa
International Programs Office
University of Massachusetts
Hills South, 4th floor
111 Infirmary Way, Ofc.3
Amherst, MA 01003
413-577-3071
csosa@ipo.umass.edu

[top]