Spain
Study abroad in Spain
The Spanish Immersion Program, offered in the summer of even years, is an exciting opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge of Spanish language while traveling in a Spanish-speaking culture. The program is mandatory for students majoring in Spanish, but any student may participate regardless of Spanish language proficiency.
The program is intended to complement SPA 366 Peninsular Civilizations and Cultures, but SPA 366 is not required for students to participate in the trip. Participants may also receive credit for SPA 367 Spanish Immersion Program/Study Abroad.
MAY 2022 ITINERARY
Monday, May 16 – Fly overnight from Nashville to Spain.
Tuesday, May 17 – In Barcelona, take a walking tour of Las Ramblas, a pedestrian mall where you’ll find endless entertainment, restaurants, markets, monuments and shopping.
Wednesday, May 18 – See Barcelona’s La Sagrada Família, Antoni Gaudí’s masterpiece cathedral that is over 130 years in the making. From the top of Montjuïc, enjoy panoramic views of the harbor below. Visit Park Güell, a vast public park designed by Gaudí that features colorful mosaics and remarkable architecture
Thursday, May 19 – Spend a half day exploring Barcelona on your own, and then travel to Valencia, a vibrant Spanish city situated on the banks of the Turia river.
Friday, May 20 – Take a walking tour of Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, and then travel to Granada.
Saturday, May 21 – Tour Granada and take in its laid-back atmosphere, Moorish architecture, and the history and culture of this unique city. Visit the Alhambra, Granada’s crowning jewel widely recognized as the world’s premier example of Moorish architecture, and built as an all-in-one alcazaba (fortress), alcazar (palace) and small medina (city). Travel to Costa del Sol.
Sunday, May 22 – Visit Córdoba, home to La Mezquita, a mosaic-filled mosque turned Catholic church. Wander the bright and charming streets of Córdoba and take in the flower-filled courtyards before returning to Costa del Sol.
Monday, May 23 – Travel to Seville, the city of bullfights, flamenco, and delicious food. Visit María Luisa Park and admire the mosaics and fountains of Plaza de España. Explore the Barrio de Santa Cruz, home to picturesque whitewashed houses, flower-filled patios, and tiled benches. See Seville Cathedral, the third-largest church in the world that took more than a century to build.
Tuesday, May 24 – Train to Madrid and see Puerta del Sol, one of the city’s busiest squares, and Plaza Mayor, the center of old Madrid where you’ll learn about the grand square’s history of bullfights, royal weddings, and public executions. Visit Plaza de Oriente, the Royal Palace square, and get a glimpse of regal Madrid when you wander the fabulous palace interior. Tour the Prado, Madrid’s famed art museum where you can behold Velázquez’s Las Meninas and Goya’s paired canvases.
Wednesday, May 25 – Take an excursion to Toledo, the former Spanish capital where Muslims, Jews, and Christians peacefully coexisted for centuries. Visit the Church of Santo Tomé, home to a famous El Greco painting, and the Toledo Cathedral, a spectacular example of Gothic architecture.
Thursday, May 26 – Return to U.S.
Financial Aid
Any scholarships, grants, or loans that you receive during the spring semester can be used toward your Spain study abroad expenses.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers awards to Federal Pell Grant recipients who plan to study abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program awards over 3,600 scholarships of up to $5,000 every year. The FHU Abroad Office can assist students who would like to apply for the Gilman Scholarship during the application period in March prior to the Spain study abroad program.
For more information about financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss your options. In some instances you may qualify for additional financial aid funds because your study abroad expenses will exceed the amount you would normally incur as a student at FHU.
PreDeparture Preparation
Students who participate in the Spanish Immersion Program attend pre-departure orientation meetings throughout the spring semester before traveling abroad. These meetings cover topics including safety, student conduct, packing advice, and Spanish history and culture. The orientation meetings are a good opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your upcoming travels.
An entire pre-departure orientation meeting is spent educating students about safety concerns, appropriate conduct while traveling abroad, and what to do in the event of an emergency. In the event of an emergency, the FHU Abroad Office will be in close contact with the faculty supervisor traveling with the students as well as the students and family members involved. All participants will be enrolled in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which allows international travelers to receive travel updates and alerts from the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Begin the passport application process several months before you travel to Spain. Students will be required to provide a copy of their passport approximately two months prior to departure. Even if you already have a passport, check the expiration date! Passports should be valid for six months past the scheduled departure date.
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