Study in Northern Spain - Spanish Language & Culture (in English, Spanish)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Founded in 1990, Universidad de Vigo is an innovative and modern public higher education institution, committed to the principles of equality, solidarity, democracy and liberty. It is especially well known for its academic excellence in the fields of science and technology. The university has three campuses located throughout Spain’s autonomous region of Galicia. Universidad de Vigo is a bilingual institution, and courses are taught in both Castellano (Spanish) and Gallego.
Vigo is the university’s flagship campus, housing the main administrative building as well as the central library and international office. Vigo has historically been an important seaport, and fishing is one of the city’s main industries. The region also boasts beautiful beaches and delicious seafood.
ISEP students immerse themselves in Spanish and Galician culture and daily life by taking university classes and living with a host family or in an apartment in the community. The university has an active student body, and ISEP students can participate in sports teams, cultural activities and student groups. Excursions are planned each semester, and the university has a “buddy system” to help ISEP students meet local students and adjust to life in Vigo.
Want to know what it's like to study at the Universidad de Vigo? Check out student stories from past ISEP students!
HOUSING AND MEALS
Students will receive a combined monthly housing and meal stipend. Students are responsible for selecting their own housing. The International Office and student volunteers help incoming ISEP students find appropriate housing in Vigo. Students are also assisted with housing contracts. While accommodation assistance is provided, ISEP students are ultimately responsible for booking their own housing.
Shared student apartments are the most popular housing option for students studying at the Universidad de Vigo, including ISEP students. There are a large number of apartments available for rent located in different parts of the city, and it usually does not take much time to find accommodation.
Students do not have to open local bank accounts to cash their stipend checks, even though this is the most convenient option. Due to the administrative procedures involved in issuing stipends, the first stipend payment takes up to two weeks to disburse. Students should have sufficient funds to cover expenses during this initial period (housing and meals, housing deposit, etc.) and budget accordingly. The first stipend payment will include benefits beginning from students' arrival date. All ISEP students are expected to budget their housing and meal stipend to pay rent and purchase groceries and meals. Students can ask their ISEP Student Services Coordinator for tips, as well as checking out ISEP's resources for Budgeting for Study Abroad.
Course Description
The Spanish Language & Culture Program, located at the main Vigo campus, is designed for students who are at the pre-intermediate and intermediate levels of Spanish and are eager to continue improving their language skills while immersing themselves in Spanish culture.
The Spanish Language & Culture Program has three parts:
1. Spanish language course (60 hours, 3 U.S. credits)
2. Introductory courses specifically designed for exchange students.
3. Regular university courses in English (Vigo campus only). Students with the appropriate background in Spanish (B1 level) may also choose to enroll in regular university courses in Spanish (Vigo campus only).
Optional: Galician as a Second Language course.
Students may mix and match the courses on Spanish culture with the regular courses in English/Spanish to find a schedule that works best (i.e. 1 Spanish culture course and 3 courses in English, or 2 Spanish culture courses and 2 courses in English, etc.). In addition to submitting an ISEP Language Evaluation, students will take a placement test upon arrival to determine their level of Spanish and place them in the appropriate Spanish as a second language class.
When selecting courses, remember to check which semester the courses are offered. For the Spanish culture courses, this information can be found under the course title next to the word Cuatrimestre. Courses with a 1C are offered September – January and courses with a 2C are offered February – June. For the courses in English, this information can be found under the column Semester, and the numbering works the same way.
Academics
Other Academic Conditions
This program is not appropriate for absolute beginners. Students should have taken at least one prior Spanish language course and have an A1 level of Spanish.
Students must register for a minimum of 24 ECTS and a maximum of 30 ECTS. 1 ECTS = 0.5 U.S. credits, so a 6 credit course in Spain is equivalent to a 3 credit course in the U.S. Your home university ultimately determines credit conversion.
The Spanish as a second language course comprises 60 teaching hours. Even though it is locally recognised as a 4 ECTS class (usually equivalent to 2 U.S. credits), its high teaching load suggests its recognition as a 3 U.S. credit class.
Semester & Prices (based on your filters)
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