Intensive Spanish in Alicante, Spain (Summer 2025)

Program Content

The University of Washington Tacoma's Spanish immersion program in Alicante, Spain offers Spanish language and culture classes at all levels, from beginner to advanced skill levels. Classes are held at the Centro Superior de Idiomas at the Universidad de Alicante’s main campus and are taught by trained language faculty who are also native Spanish speakers. The university is located in a cosmopolitan area with around 30,000 students and is situated within 15 minutes from the center of Alicante. 

Students will also learn about Spanish culture and local traditions through personal experience, selected readings, and assignments. At the end of June, the festivities of San Juan take place: In every neighborhood, the people of Alicante build beautiful statues of paper-mache, which are burned on the last night of the festival to celebrate the arrival of summer. Together with the bonfires, there are stunning fireworks, floral offerings, and parades. This is the most important celebration for the city of Alicante and a great cultural experience.

This study abroad program is taught by professors at Universidad de Alicante and by Dr. Loly Alcaide Ramirez from UW Tacoma. 

Academic Content

This program does not have any prerequisites or language requirements, but does fulfill the university's basic language requirement for all majors. Students receive a total of twelve (12) credits for the program as follows:

TSPAN 199, 299 or 393 Foreign Study in Spanish (10 credits)

The ten credits are awarded for Foreign Study in Spanish, TSPAN 199, 299 or 393, depending on the student's previous study of Spanish and level of proficiency. TSPAN 393 can be used for the Spanish Language and Cultures major and minor at UWT. The TSPAN 299 course prepares students to take more 300-level Spanish classes when they return to campus. Ten credits of TSPAN 199 is an excellent starting point for beginners or near-beginners and also satisfies the UWT language requirement for graduation. Students will need to take a placement exam to determine the level of class work they will do in Spain. All grammar, conversation, and culture classes are taught by experienced native speakers.

Learning Goals Include:

• Improve grammatical and vocabulary knowledge of Spanish.
• Improve fluency and accuracy of conversation in Spanish.
• Improve cultural knowledge of Spain (literature, art, cinema, etc).

Goals will be assessed through exams, homework, projects, and participation in class activities.

TIAS 498 Independent Study (2 credits)

For the independent study, students will complete readings and assignments under the supervision of Dr. Loly Alcaide Ramírez. Students will be observing Spanish culture, interviewing several Spaniards and writing reports on your findings. Students will also learn about relevant issues happening in Spain today by interacting with local individuals connected to immigration issues in and around Alicante. This is an opportunity both to interact with people and practice Spanish outside the classroom and immerse yourself in the Spanish culture.

Learning Goals Include:

• Improve communication with native speakers in the community
• Improve knowledge of cultural practices and history  in the community
• Improve writing in Spanish

Goals will be assessed through the writing of 3 essays and reflection papers.

Program Schedule 

All work will be completed by the end of Summer Term A, allowing students the option of taking term B courses during summer quarter. The program runs from June 15 - July 20, 2025.

Housing and Food

While in Alicante, students will be housed with carefully chosen Spanish families. From Monday to Sunday, the host family provides students with three meals a day. Students planning to eat out during the week or to be away from their host families on weekends are responsible for paying the additional expense of those meals. Home stays provide students with a safe and comfortable environment that allows for interaction with Spaniards and a rich cultural experience. Costs are based on single occupancy.

Students with dietary restrictions will need to pay an additional supplement up to $100.

Field Trips

Students will go on mandatory field trips to explore the city and history of Alicante (such as to the Castle of Santa Bárbara) and will participate in activities like a Spanish cooking class. All costs associated with these field trips and activities are included in the program fee.

Student Eligibility

Undergraduate and graduate students in "good academic standing" (2.0 or above) from any UW campus may apply. Students will be selected on the basis of their demonstrated interest in Spanish language study, their ability to work independently, and their willingness to engage in intercultural exchange.

Many past participants in this program have been Spanish heritage speakers or first generation students from Latin America. This programs gives them the chance to use their own knowledge of Hispanic culture in a different country and to dismantle stereotypes around relationships between Spain and Latin America. 

Application Deadline 

Applications are due on January 31, 2025. Applicants will be notified of acceptance decisions by February 15, 2025. Once accepted to the program, applicants will need to confirm their participation in the program by March 1, 2025. Click the "Apply Now" button below to begin.

Travel Documents and Insurance

All program participants must have a valid passport in order to travel to Europe.

Visas

No visa or other paperwork is required for U.S. citizens staying in Spain under 90 days. For international students, the Office of Global Affairs is not responsible for obtaining visas for your travel. You can research visa requirements by calling the consular offices of countries to where you will be traveling or visiting the following website: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html. 

Please note appointments fill up very quickly for Spain. Students who need a visa should schedule an appointment at the closest consulate as soon as they have applied to the program.

The cost and requirements for obtaining visas vary. It is your responsibility to determine visa requirements for all countries you plan to visit while abroad including countries that you plan to visit before or after your study abroad program. This is an especially important consideration if you are planning to do more than one study abroad program.

Insurance

The University of Washington requires students engaged in educational activities abroad – including study, research, internships or community engagement – to purchase UW Student Abroad Insurance. If you are a current UW student, you are required to purchase coverage UW Student Abroad Insurance. Details are on the UW Study Abroad Insurance page.

Program Cost 

The program cost is $5700.

Included in the cost of the program:

• $470 in study abroad administrative fees
• Instruction
• Housing and Food
• Program activities and program travel

Not included:

• Airfare
• UW Student Abroad Insurance
• Transportation to and from the airport
• Personal expenses (phone calls, eating out, etc.)
• Textbooks

Withdrawals

The $470 UW Study Abroad Fees are non-refundable once a contract has been submitted. Students withdrawing from a program are responsible for paying a percentage of the program fee depending on the date of withdrawal. More details about the withdrawal policy are included in your payment contract. No part of the program fee is refundable once the program has begun. The date of withdrawal is considered the business day a withdrawal form is received by the Office of Global Affairs. Notice of withdrawal from the program must be made in writing by completing the following steps:

1. Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program.
2. Submit a signed withdrawal form to the Office of Global Affairs. 

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• A large percentage of UW students utilize financial aid to study abroad. Most types of financial aid can be applied to study abroad fees.
• For UW Tacoma students, you can submit a revision request to increase the amount of aid for the quarter you are studying abroad. These additional funds are usually awarded in the form of loans. To apply, fill out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the UW Tacoma Office of Financial Aid. 
• For UW Seattle or Bothell Students, you can apply by filling out a revision request form, attach the budget sheet (available via the link at the top of this brochure) and submit these documents to the Office of Financial Aid. 
• Consult the Financial Aid section of our website for more information on applying for financial aid, special considerations for summer and early fall programs, and budgeting and fundraising tips
• Please also review this list of scholarships: these are opportunities that can help fund your study abroad experience. Please note that many of them have deadlines before your study abroad application is due. For help with the application process, please contact uwtintl@uw.edu.

Budgeting Tools

We understand that figuring out your finances for study abroad can be complicated, and we are here to help. Here are some ways to find additional support:

• Click on the Budget Sheets link at the top of this brochure to view the estimated budget of all expenses for this program.
• UW Tacoma students can attend a How to Fund Your Study Abroad event - more information is on the Events page of our website.

Changes in Cost or Scope of Program

In the event of significant devaluations of the dollar, some adjustments to program activities may be necessary. If there are any political events that might compromise the safety of the participants, a rescheduling or cancellation of the program may be necessary. If such changes occur, students will be notified of the changes and options will be presented.

Orientation

To be eligible to study abroad, all program participants must attend an online pre-departure orientation facilitated by the Office of Global Affairs as well as your program-specific orientations, offered by your program directors. Orientation must be completed prior to the enrollment deadline for the quarter that you are studying abroad.

Program Cancellation

If viable enrollment is not reached by April 3, 2025 the program will be cancelled. Participants will be notified and the administrative and program fees will be refunded.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, and education for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation for this program, contact Disability Resources for Students at least 8 weeks in advance of your departure date. Contact info at tacoma.uw.edu/drsuwt.