Internship and Service Learning Semester in Alicante, Spain

Internship and Service Learning Semester in Alicante, Spain

Providing unique learning experiences for North American university students since 1969

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Program Information

Semester and summer-long internships allow you to gain professional experience while improving your Spanish. Internships and service learning opportunities allow you access to the work culture and daily life of local citizens, often hidden to students studying abroad, and to more fully integrate into the local culture.

When applying for an internship or service learning project, you have the benefit of specifying what you would like your internship to look like. Spanish Studies will strive to match you with the best available placement to help you integrate into alicantino work culture.

Internships focus upon practical experience in a local business, while service learning projects focus on engagement in the local culture through community service in a local organization. The curricula of the Alicante Internship programs are centered around your individual work experience. Complementary courses help you to work through the linguistic and cultural challenges you may run into while in the field.

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Why choose this program?

  • Dedication to academic excellence
  • Local speaking partners
  • Language courses and cultural guidance to support your placement
  • Access to integrated university classes taught in Spanish
  • Small class size for personalized attention
  • All students live with a local host family or in a residence hall
  • All meals included
  • Excursions: immerse yourself in a culture while touring with a group you know

Requirements

  • Ability to understand normal, rapid Spanish; two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent
  • 3.0 GPA in Spanish Language Coursework. Exceptions may be made with strong recommendations from faculty
  • A written application for an internship or service learning must be approved by your home institution and received no later than the program application deadline.

Fields of Placement

Spanish Studies will work hard to match you with an appropriate placement to meet your interests. Students have completed placements in a variety of fields including legal offices, Greenpeace, television production, journalism, education, and more.

Some fields you may want to think of when applying:

Animal Science/Horses

Communications

Community Service

Education

Health Services

International Business

Information Technology/ Graphic Design

Museums and Cultural Centers/Fine Art

Physical Therapy

Political Science

Public Relations

Social Work

Tourism

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Choose your courses

Experiential Learning
SVL 491UA - INTENSIVE SERVICE LEARNING
Engagement in the culture through community service in a local organization. In addition to completing the regular service learning duties, the student uses tools such as journaling, dialogue and memoir to enrich the quality of their integration into work culture.
Pre-requisites: The successful completion of two courses in advanced college Spanish or the equivalent, prior to program. Minimum 3.0 GPA in Spanish coursework.
Syllabus
Credits: 8
Contact hours: 360
Fall, Spring
Experiential Learning
INT 491UA - INTENSIVE INTERNSHIP
Practical experience in Spanish language and culture through placement in local business or organization. In addition to completing the regular internship duties, the student uses tools such as journaling, dialogue, and memoir to enrich the quality of their integration into work culture.
Pre-requisites: The successful completion of two courses in advanced college Spanish or the equivalent, prior to program. Minimum 3.0 GPA in Spanish coursework.
Syllabus
Credits: 8
Contact hours: 360
Fall, Spring
Living the Culture
LTC 490UA - LIVING THE CULTURE
All Spanish Studies Abroad students in Alicante have the opportunity to take Living the Culture workshops. These courses may include dance, scuba, cuisine, windsurf or music. They carry 1-3 credits, and are graded pass/fail. Students finalize participation in these courses once in Alicante. For more information, visit spanishstudies.org/living-the-culture/
Pre-requisites: Additional fee applies
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 15
Fall, Spring
Living the Culture
LTC 300UA-B - INTRODUCTION TO LATIN DANCE AND FLAMENCO
In this introductory dance course, students learn the basics of Flamenco and Latin dance. Please note that there are additional fees for LTC courses.
Pre-requisites: Additional fee applies
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 15
Fall, Spring
Living the Culture Courses
LTC 300UA-A - CULTURE OF SPANISH CUISINE
In this introductory cooking course students learn the basics of traditional Spanish cuisine, especially that of the coastal region. Please note that there are additional fees for LTC courses.
Pre-requisites: Additional fee applies
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 15
Fall, Spring
Language and Culture
SPAN 350UA - INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH ART
This course leads students to understand the principal expressions of Spanish art. In pursuit of this objective, the course studies the most significant artists, works and periods throughout Spanish history, from prehistoric art to the works produced at the end of the twentieth century. The point of departure is a study of the first artistic expressions on the Peninsula, and neo-Levantine painting, moving on to the art of Roman and Visigothic Spain to the Hispano-Islamic, Romanesque and Gothic periods. The course studies the great artists such as Velázquez, Ribera, Zurbarán, Murillo and Goya, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Neoclassic periods. In the twentieth century the course focuses on Picasso, Miró and Dalí, and considers the post Civil War period and the art of the 1950´s.
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of intermediate Spanish or equivalent
Syllabus
Credits: 3
Contact hours: 45
Fall, Spring
Language and Culture
SPAN 340UA - INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH CINEMA
This course explores those features of Spanish culture which are reflected in her cinema. The student is presented with a broad panorama of the history of Spanish cinema, framed by the socio-political reality in which each stage developed. In addition, the course studies the principal figures of Spanish film, the traditional and the innovative. Students learn to recognize the different phases of Spanish cinema, integrating the phases into a broad cultural framework reaching from the pre-Franco era to the present. The course studies the origins of Spanish film to the cine politico, the cine de la movida, and the internationalization of Spanish cinema. The course pays special attention to the importance of cinema as a reflection of society, such as the growth of productions by women, and works with strong social commentary.
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of intermediate Spanish or equivalent
Syllabus
Credits: 3
Contact hours: 45
Fall, Spring
Language and Culture
SPAN 330UA - INTRODUCTION TO SPANISH LITERATURE
In this course, students approach the many aspects of contemporary Spanish reality through a study of her literature as seen in her principal authors and works, from its beginnings to the twentieth century. Students are introduced to the idea of what a text is, as well as to the basic concepts of literary theory and criticism. The course begins with the literary creation of the Middle Ages through the Renaissance and the Baroque periods. The Neoclassical and Romantic periods are examined, as are the works and the literary currents of Modernism, and the Generations of ´98 and ´27. The course concludes with the postwar period and the literature of the late twentieth century.
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of intermediate Spanish or equivalent
Syllabus
Credits: 3
Contact hours: 45
Fall, Spring
Complementary
SPAN 475UA - HIGH-ADVANCED CONVERSATION
Additional conversational practice to complement the study of Spanish at the high-advanced level.
Pre-requisites: Concurrent study at same level or enrollment in SPAN 311, 313, 403, 405, 451 or 452UA
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 20
Fall, Spring
Complementary
SPAN 375UA - ADVANCED CONVERSATION
Additional conversational practice to complement the study of Spanish at the advanced level.
Pre-requisites: Concurrent study at same level or enrollment in SPAN 300, 309 or 310UA
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 20
Spring, Fall
Complementary
SPAN 360UA - SPANISH FOR BUSINESS
A practical examination of the forms of business communication in the Hispanic world including commercial vocabulary, the writing of business letters, and oral practice with business dialogues. Discussons of business news and study of business documents.
Pre-requisites: One course in intermediate college Spanish or the equivalent.
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 20
Fall, Spring
Cross-Cultural Reflection
SPAN 343UA - ADVANCED CULTURAL REALITIES OF SPAIN
This course seeks to guide the students through the cultural adaptation period, leading them to a profound analysis of their experiences in Spain. Through discussion, journaling, and oral presentations, students reflect upon their own adaptation with the eventual goal of integration into Spanish culture. Students explore Spanish culture, society, labor religion, economics and leisure, with the purpose of better understanding their own cultural journey and managing culture shock.
Pre-requisites: 2 semesters of intermediate Spanish or equivalent
Syllabus
Credits: 1
Contact hours: 15
Fall, Spring
Language
SPAN 311UA - HIGH ADVANCED SPANISH I
This level focuses on advanced topics of oral and written narration in Spanish, including tone, intent, organization of ideas for written and oral argument, and describing abstract concepts. Grammar points support these applications.
Pre-requisites: Admission to courses based upon previous work in Spanish as well as placement test score.
Syllabus
Credits: 4
Contact hours: 60
Fall, Spring
Language
SPAN 310UA - ADVANCED SPANISH III
This intensive course is designed to develop advanced language competence. Includes extensive review of Spanish and the acquisition of vocabulary, complex structures, and understanding of linguistic registers through activities and materials created to introduce students to contemporary Spanish usage, culture, and daily life.
Pre-requisites: Admission to courses based upon previous work in Spanish as well as placement test score.
Syllabus
Credits: 4
Contact hours: 60
Fall, Spring
Language
SPAN 309UA - ADVANCED SPANISH II
This intensive course is designed to develop advanced language competence. Includes extensive review of Spanish and the acquisition of vocabulary, complex structures, and understanding of linguistic registers through activities and materials created to introduce students to contemporary Spanish usage, culture, and daily life.
Pre-requisites: Admission to courses based upon previous work in Spanish as well as placement test score.
Syllabus
Credits: 4
Contact hours: 60
Fall, Spring

What are you spending your program fee on?

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For a specific price for this program please reach out to us, as fees vary depending on the destination.

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What does the program fee include?

Tuition

Double occupancy room & full board

Laundry

Overnight & local study visits & cultural activities

Orientation

Health Insurance

Spanish Studies transcript

Support of onsite staff

Special Dietary Needs

Students with food allergies, intolerances, or other medical conditions that require a special diet may incur an extra fee to cover related dietary expenses. Please contact Spanish Studies for additional details.

All fees are in U.S. dollars and based on current exchange rates. Any considerable decrease in the value of the dollar will affect fees.

How much spending money should I budget for?

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These costs are merely orientative*

This plan estimates personal and miscellaneous expenses at approximately $175 per week. 

If you need to travel to a consulate for the purpose of obtaining a visa before your program abroad (semester students only), remember to budget for that travel expense.

Some students will spend more and others will spend less, of course. Consider your lifestyle and budget accordingly. 

The “Short Term” estimate is for one 3.5 week program; if you are participating in two, multiply by two.

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Meet your Resident Director

My role is to provide you with the necessary resources with which to maximize your experience in Alicante. You will choose courses to satisfy your intellectual and academic requirements. Extracurricular activities supplement your coursework, allowing you to live the culture as you further your own interests. These activities include dance, theater, sports, cooking, volunteering, tutoring in English, etc. The key is to find a good combination of study and leisure so that you may achieve your individual objectives and benefit each day from this unique experience.

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