Study in Southern Spain - Spanish Language & Culture (in Spanish) - ISEP Direct
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• Enjoy the warm Spanish sun year-round at this historic university in beautiful Murcia. Start each morning with a walk by the Segura River through the center of town, passing fountains and historic bridges, and end your day relaxing over a coffee or drink with your roommates in one of Murcia’s beautiful plazas!
• The 3rd oldest university in Spain, Murcia is now a modern public research university that offers the opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture while strengthening your Spanish language skills.
• Universidad de Murcia regularly tops national lists for excellent disability services, student support, and well-being. Roberto, ISEP’s on-site coordinator, is quick to respond and will help you adjust to life in Spain.
• Universidad de Murcia is spread across four campuses based on field of study: La Merced in the heart of the city, Espinardo just north of the city, San Javier 45 km east of the city (specializing in Sports Science), and the Health Science campus south of the city. Be sure to talk to your ISEP Student Services Officer about which campus will offer the classes you need.
LIFE ABROAD
Live and study with local college students in this historic university town! With 320 days of sunshine each year, embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle and enjoy excellent seafood, endless outdoor activities, and fresh produce and flowers year-round. The region of Murcia is sandwiched between Valencia and Andalucia in a fertile green valley known as “Europe’s Orchard” and the city of Murcia is just a 45-minute train ride from the sea. Echoes of past civilizations abound in this part of Spain, but Murcia remains a lively college town, with vibrant nightlife and youthful atmosphere.
LIVE
Live in a shared apartment with local Spanish students. Murcia offers a unique opportunity to select an apartment based on your own preferences and lifestyle. Using the provided stipend (650 euros per month for meals and housing), you’ll find your apartment in Murcia through the university monitored and approved apartment listings. Most ISEP students choose to live in a fully furnished shared apartment with a private bedroom, shared kitchen, and shared bathroom for about 250-300 euros per month. See sample housing options here.
DINE
Murcia is a delight for foodies! Grab a table in one of the sunny plazas for a coffee, drink, or leisurely meal—locals love Plaza de las Flores, where fresh flower stalls surround delicious restaurants. Enjoy local specialties, like pastel de carne (meat pie in a flaky, buttery crust), caballito (batter-fried prawns), paparajotes (fried lemon leaves), or Murcia’s own tapa, marinera, which you must try to finish in just three bites! With nearby orchards and the sea, fresh produce and seafood are always available. As an ISEP student, use your combined meal and housing stipend (650 euros per month) to purchase groceries and cook in your apartment. Local supermarkets and produce markets are affordable and plentiful. In a hurry? Grab a meal at a campus cafeteria (including dessert!) for just 5.10 EUR.
EXPERIENCE
Enjoy plenty of amenities and entertainment in Murcia, home to almost 500,000 people. Get involved through clubs and the Buddy Program, which pairs you with a local student to help you settle into life in Murcia. Celebrate International Welcome Week each semester with a full week of events and off-campus activities hosted by The Office of International Relations and the Association of International Students. Studying during the spring term? Murcia’s Semana Santa (Holy Week) celebrations are famous across Spain. Just outside of town, visit the Yakka Brewery, or head to Cartagena, a beautiful port city with an ancient amphitheater, just 45 minutes away by train.
EXPLORE
Discover the region of Murcia which offers great coastlines, dense forests, rugged mountains, three wine regions, ancient historical sites, beautiful architecture, and charming small towns, without the tourist crowds in more well-known Spanish cities. See pink salt flats and flamingos, natural arches and wind-formed rock formations, green valleys tucked between the mountains, and remnants of past civilizations. Spend weekends on the coast kayaking, swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and sailing. Relax and unwind in one of the thermal spas, go for a leisurely (or challenging) bike ride, or pick up a golf club—some of Europe’s best courses can be found right here!
THRIVE
Recognized as one of the top universities in Spain for disability support and welfare services (student wellbeing and support), Murcia offers additional assistance for mental health and students with mobility, hearing, visual, speech, and learning disabilities.
What We Love About Murcia
Everyone loves Spain, but it can be hard to get off the beaten path. Murcia is the path less traveled, and offers rich cultural experiences, delicious food and wine, incredible scenery, and great academic options, all in a budget-friendly city.
See ISEP Direct budget and estimated expenses
Course Description
The Spanish Language & Culture Program is divided into three modules designed to help you improve your language skills while living and studying immersed in Spanish culture. In the first module (4 weeks, 50 hours), students will enroll in an intensive Spanish language class and an introductory regional culture class. In the second and third modules, students will take a Spanish as a second language course (75 hours) and additional culture & civilization courses (combined 190 hours) designed to deepen their knowledge of Spanish and Hispanic culture.
Courses
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Module 1 First 4 weeks |
Module 2 |
Module 3 (select one) |
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First 4 weeks |
Crash Course - Intensive Spanish language course |
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Remainder of the semester |
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Spanish as a second language (divided by level) |
History of Spain and Geographical Environment |
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Spanish Art and Music |
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Spanish Language and Regional Culture |
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Spanish Literature |
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Writing and Speaking |
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Politics, Society, and Audiovisual Culture |
Credits Earned
Students who complete the program in good standing can expect to earn at least 24 ECTS which ISEP recommends is the equivalent of 12 U.S. Credit Hours. Each course is worth around 6 ECTS.
Looking for additional Spanish-taught coursework?
Spend the academic year at Murcia! Enroll in the Spanish Language & Culture program for semester 1 and get comfortable in your Spanish skills. During semester 2, enroll into one of Murcia’s many fields of study in ISEP’s Study in Southern Spain program. A great option for Spanish majors and minors, courses are available in Spanish history and literature, business, marketing, journalism, physical science, and social science.
For detailed instructions on how to search for all available courses, please click on the "other academic conditions" dropdown link below.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
Students Arrive: First week of January, First week of September
Classes Start: Second week of January, Second week of September
Classes End: First week of May, Second week of December
Exams: Early to Mid May, Early to Mid December
No Spanish Language Evaluation is required, but it is strongly recommended that students have taken at least one Spanish language class prior to beginning program. On arrival, students will take a language placement test and may be divided into two groups according to their level of proficiency.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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