Students depart either in the middle of August or the second week of January on a group flight, and spend two weeks living together at a university dorm in Salamanca (FALL SEMESTER) and a “bed and breakfast” in Cuenca (SPRING SEMESTER). During this period, students become acquainted with Spanish culture and with each other and have the opportunity to bond as a group.
Cursos Internacionales de la Universidad de Salamanca (Salamanca) and Centro de Lenguas (Cuenca) provides a language immersion course (50 classroom contact hours) tailored for the specific needs of each student. Both schools also conduct group tours, and introduce students to practical aspects of life in Spain The program personnel organizes orientation meetings to review specific issues addressed in the Student Handbook –Academics, Safety and Security; Hopkins rules of conduct abroad; what to expect when living in a Spanish household; tips for navigating the Madrid transit system; etc. Also the Academic Director provides individual academic advising sessions.
To help the student adapt to Spanish customs and see how Spaniards actually live, the Resident Director treat the group to coffee in the Plaza Mayor, tapas in local bars, etc.
The process of social and cultural orientations that began in Salamanca and Cuenca continues in Madrid. Students will be will be taken on an excursion on a Madrid tour bus, a surprisingly pleasant way to discover the anatomy of the city and its most popular neighbourhoods.
Life in a Spanish-speaking household is an essential part of the learning experience we seek for you. You will live in the university-approved housing arranged by the Housing Coordinator. All homes are located near transit stops in central Madrid, most with easy access to Atocha Station and the Cercanías line and buses serving Universidad Carlos III. Host families provide private rooms, weekly laundry service, and most meals –breakfast and dinner every day and lunch on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
