Hispanic Studies in Valencia, Spain

Spring Semester: January 14 – May 7, 2010 (tentative)
Fall Semester: 15 weeks (early September to mid December)
Academic Year: 35 weeks (early September to early May)

Spring Semester 2010 closed

Sponsored by the Department of Spanish and Portuguese in the College of Arts & Letters

Arranged through the Office of Study Abroad (OSA)

What's this program about?

Each semester, the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, in cooperation with the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese of the University of Virginia, will offer a Hispanic Studies Program.

Located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain, Valencia is a beautiful and ancient city that was founded by the Romans and later inhabited by the Greeks and Moors, all of whom left a significant mark on its history. During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Valencia was one of the great economic powers in the Mediterranean, and was also known for its accomplished artists and authors.

Valencia is one of the major cities in Spain, with a population of more than 750,000. In addition to its beautiful beaches, Valencia has many attractions: La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias (a huge museum complex of futuristic architecture); a Gothic cathedral; the Mercado Central; several art museums; a major university; and more. The nightlife in Valencia is active and varied, and its cuisine is world-renowned thanks to its outstanding paella valenciana. Shoppers will find many trendy places to visit, as well as the traditional Valencia pottery, ceramics, and glassware, with its typical blue and white designs.

The main cultural event during the spring semester is Las Fallas, which takes place in mid-March. During this ancient annual festival, enormous figures depicting historical, political or popular characters are paraded through the city, and later burned in bonfires. Valencia is also famous for amazing displays of fireworks.

What can I study?

Students admitted to the program should contact Jade Sims, Undergraduate Advisor for Spanish to determine selection of courses.  All students will be required to enroll in a minimum of 12 credits from the following three-credit course selections.Where more than one equivalent is shown, the specific MSU course you receive credit for will depend on which Spanish courses you have taken previously. Contact the faculty leader or undergraduate advisor for details. While most of the courses shown will open, a few may be cancelled if enrollment is insufficient.

Classes are held at the University Virginia’s program center in Valencia.

A number of extracurricular activities have been planned for during the term to help students get to know each other better and to help promote a collective Spanish social consciousness to the group as well as to each individual. Activities include trips to museums, monuments, historical sites and other places of interest. There will be three day-trips.

This is a co-sponsored program. Credit may be awarded for certain courses as regular MSU credit rather than transfer credit.  These courses will be listed on your official MSU transcript and will include the title of the course abroad, the number of credits and the grade earned. For further details see co-sponsored programs.

To find out what courses other students have taken on the program and what MSU courses they might replace, visit Transfer MSU and Office of the Registrar - Co-Sponsored Study Abroad Programs. Courses listed may not be offered every semester, and additional courses may be available during the semester you plan to participate.

Course prerequisites may apply; see Course Descriptions (on the MSU Website) or program leader for details.

What are the requirements?

Students must be in good academic standing, with a grade point average of at least 2.5 at the time of application. Meeting this minimum grade point average does not, however, guarantee admission. Students must also have successfully completed SPN 310.

A one-page essay in English is required with your program application. A personal interview with the program leader may be required in order to help determine admission to the program.

Applicants’ participation may be denied or their participation approval may be revoked if their conduct before departure raises doubts as to their suitability for program participation.

Where will I live?

Students will live with families and have full board (three meals a day).

Who can tell me more about this program?

Nancy Marino
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
210 Old Horticulture Bldg.
Phone: (517) 353-0769 ext. 108

Do I need a passport or visa?

U.S. and non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport both to enter other countries and to return to the United States.  If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid until at least six months after your return date.  If you must apply for or renew a passport, APPLY EARLY, since a minimum of eight to ten weeks is usually required for processing.  During peak travel seasons, more processing time is required.  Passport forms are available at many federal and state courts, probate courts, some county/municipal offices and some post offices.  They can also be downloaded from the Web.

For more information about passports visit the web page.

A visa is official permission granted by the authorities of a country where you will study or travel that allows you to enter and remain in that country for a specific purpose.  The visa itself is frequently a stamp in your passport, not a separate document. You will need a passport before applying for a visa and the passport plus visa process may take several months, so start early.   It is your responsibility to inquire about visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad; this includes countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, consult the embassy or consulate of the countries you will visit to learn their document requirements.

For more information about visas visit the web page.

If you will be staying in Europe for longer than 90 days, you will need to contact the consulate(s) of your host country(ies) for advice on visas.

Are there special health issues?

As part of your acceptance you will complete a Student Health/Emergency Treatment Authorization. It is your responsibility to ensure that your routine immunizations are up-to-date; inquire whether there are recommended and/or required immunizations or medications for the country/countries you will visit (including any countries you will visit that are not part of the study abroad program’s itinerary); and review educational issues relevant to your personal health and safety.

For further health information and recommendations visit the "Health Issues" section of the Student Handbook.

How much does it cost?

The program fee for Spring Semester 2010 is $13,244 and includes the following:

• application fee ($100)
• deposit ($200)
• pre-departure orientation
• roundtrip international airfare (New York – Valencia – New York)
• tuition and instructional fees (12 – 15 credits)
• accommodations with three meals a day
• accident and sickness insurance
• field trips

Amounts not included in the program fee for which participants will need to budget include:

• roundtrip domestic airfare (to New York)
• additional meals
• books and supplies
• passport application fee
• visa application fee
• pre-departure doctor visits
• pre-departure immunizations (if applicable)
• personal spending money

These additional costs are estimated at $2,467 (SS '10).  Students may request a cost sheet which lists both the program fee and an estimate of additional expenses by contacting the Office of Study Abroad at (517) 353-8920.

Approximately two months before the program’s departure date, students will receive an e-bill from the MSU Student Accounts Office for the study abroad program fee. 

How can I get help to pay for it?

Financial assistance is available to students who make appropriate arrangements with the Office of Study Abroad (OSA) and MSU’s Office of Financial Aid. 

If you are an MSU student and indicate on your application that you plan to use financial aid to pay for your study abroad experience, OSA will forward an estimated cost sheet to the MSU Office of Financial Aid for processing.  This form will include all anticipated costs associated with the program, including airfare.

If you are a non-MSU student, please request financial aid from your home university.  If your university is unable to award you financial aid, contact the MSU Office of Study Abroad to apply for loans only and you will be provided with instructions on how to proceed.

For further information about financial aid, visit the Web page.

Additionally, MSU students applying to any credit-bearing study abroad program are eligible for OSA Scholarships.   Some scholarships are based exclusively on academic performance; others are based on a combination of academic performance and financial need.  Requirements are listed in the scholarship application.  The deadlines to apply for these scholarships are March 1st for academic year and fall semester programs and October 15th for spring semester programs.  

A generous endowment from the MSU Federal Credit Union, as well as additional resources provided through the Forest Akers Endowment, MSU Alumni Association, the Australia-Pacific Council, Eleanor and Charles Greenleaf Sr., Brigitte and Thomas Huff, the Georges Jules Joyaux Memorial Fund, the Kellogg Foundation, Charles and Marjorie Gliozzo, and contributors to the Overseas Study Endowment provide funding for these OSA scholarships.

For even more MSU scholarship opportunities through individual colleges or external scholarship possibilities (including funding for Multicultural students) visit the web page.

How do I apply?

You can apply online or download an application form.

Applications must be received in the Office of Study Abroad by October 15th for spring semester programs and by March 1st for fall and academic year programs.  We strongly recommend that you apply early as this program may fill to capacity prior to these deadlines. 

Selection of applicants is done on a rolling admission basis - that is, applications are accepted and students are evaluated and considered for admission throughout the academic year.  Please remember that applying early and meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.

A $100 application fee is required.  Students will receive an e-bill for the application fee that is applied to the cost of the program and is non-refundable once a student has accepted admission into the program.  Students who have accepted admission may also be billed for a non-refundable and non-transferable $200 deposit, also applied to the cost of the program.

Students who wish to withdraw their application are required to notify the Office of Study Abroad, in writing, that they no longer intend to participate.

Acceptance to all programs is based, minimally, on a faculty review of your transcript and a review of the Judicial Affairs Office records (MSU students) or Dean of Students Reference (non-MSU students).

Details about the admissions process, pre-departure information, what to know while you’re abroad, and information about returning home can be found in the Study Abroad Student Handbook that will be sent to you with your acceptance letter.