Spain, Academic Year/Semester/Trimester

Learn

With life in Spain, you are learning something new each day. For academic year and semester programs, students will attend a local high school where your academic work will vary by subject from day to day. For an additional fee, private school placements can be arranged. The classes are challenging and students are often expected to study outside the classroom. All students are required to take certain core courses, which generally include: Spanish language, Spanish literature, foreign language, philosophy, and physical education. Additionally, students will be placed in other classes to broaden their curriculum including: arts, science or technology.

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Fall Trimester and Spring Semester programs require two years of high school Spanish language study or the demonstrated equivalent, as all classes will be conducted in Spanish. Students tell us that the exposure to Spanish in the classroom and in their daily life helped them to master and become fluent in their foreign language skills.

Why immerse yourself in the Spanish language? Spanish is spoken by over 320 million people worldwide!

Experience

The Spanish culture is known to be very warm and embracing. The familia extends beyond the core family unit and includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and many cousins. So don't be surprised to see extra places at the table when mealtime comes around. Family meals are just as important as siestas in the Spanish culture. The most important meal of the day is the afternoon meal which is a great time to enjoy delicious regional dishes and share your daily experiences with your host family.

Spain is home to some of the best soccer (fútbol) teams in the world, so it's no surprise that soccer is the most popular spectator sport. Bull fighting (corrida de toros), which is considered by some to be more an art than a sport, is another attraction. Since only larger schools offer team sports, those interested in participating in sports (soccer, tennis, basketball, swimming, etc.) often join private clubs.

Spaniards also appreciate the performing and fine arts, and are proud of their international recognition in these areas. Opera tenors Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, as well as the painters Picasso, and Dalí all hail from Spain. Each region in Spain has its own folk dance, music and dress. One of the most famous dances of Spain, the flamenco, originated in Southern Spain.

Program Details

AYUSA students are placed with carefully selected host families throughout Spain. Adjustment to host family life and Spanish culture will be assisted by a local representative.

Students will attend an arrival orientation in Barcelona, Spain, which includes an opportunity to see some of the sites in this beautiful city. An optional mid-program trip to Madrid is offered to Academic Year students for an additional cost. Information and pricing for this trip will be provided once students are on program.

Requirements

• Application completed in Spanish
• 2 years of high school or equivalent Spanish language study
• Must be 15-18 years old. (Maximum age of 18.5 at start of program)
• 2.5 GPA or higher (on 4.0 scale)
• A letter to your potential host family in Spanish
• Flexible personality; desire to be challenged

*Fall Trimester programs do not require student visas!

Factors to Consider

Before arriving in Spain, students are required to obtain an Apostilled certificate of their most recent high school transcripts, and an Apostilled certificate of a photocopy of their passport.

With the exception of the Fall Trimester, all programs require students to obtain a student visa. Students are required to apply in person at one of the nine Spanish consulates in the United States. Depending on where you live, this may require travel. In order to find the Spanish consulate that covers your region in the United States, go to http://www.mae.es/embajadas/washington/es/home. It is also important to note that the visa approval process can take up to 2 months to complete after paper work is submitted to the Spanish consulate. Start your application for Spain early!