Spanish and Liberal Arts

About Granada

In Granada, you will find yourself immersed in a city with a deep and interesting history, a modern flair, and old-world beauty. At the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains Granada's jewel, the Alhambra, watches over the city. During the day you will dive into the Spanish and Granada culture through courses, museums, cultural events, and interactions with your host family. Through the evening you will continue your cultural and language immersion as you chat with some of the many thousands of university students, relax in a café or tapas bar, or simply sleep and dream in Spanish.

Academics

The central learning outcome for the Granada Program is to develop competence in all communicative dimensions of Spanish language and intercultural engagement with cultural others. All aspects of the program are intentionally designed to support this development and to maximize the experiential learning potential of cultural immersion. 

The Granada program is available during the Fall and Spring semester. Courses are taken at the University of Granada's modern language center: El Centro de Lenguas Modernas (CLM). The CLM provides Spanish language courses to students from around the world, taught by experienced professors in a beautiful and traditional facility. Each semester begins with a comprehensive orientation program followed by a month long intensive Spanish language course (Intensivo). After the Intensivo students choose from a variety of topics courses depending on language ability. During the Spring semester program participants can also choose to take a Spanish Literature course from the visiting faculty member from one of the ILACA institutions.

The DELE

All students are required to take the Diplomas de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) during their semester in Granada. This exam is Spain's official accreditation of the degree of fluency of the Spanish language.

Language Agreement

All students agree to speak the target language at all times while in Spain and accept that there is a direct correlation between the time dedicated to using Spanish and the fluency achieved.

Intercambios

An easy way to meet Spaniards and improve conversational and colloquial Spanish is to participate in an intercambio, a language exchange with a Spanish-speaking student learning English.

Practical Experience

Students may choose, as one of the CLM electives, to complete a 45-hour practical experience in a professional internship, service learning or volunteer experience.  The Programa de Prácticas includes opportunities in business, education, health care and social service agencies. Placement options may vary depending on language level.  For very serious students at the advanced language level, a 120-hour practical experience option is available (extra fees may apply). 

Academic Credit

All courses offered in Granada are recognized and approved for academic credit by member institutions of the Independent Liberal Arts Colleges Abroad (ILACA). Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your Study Abroad Advisor for more information.

Living in Granada

Homestay

Students live with Spanish families or Señoras (host-mothers), usually within walking distance of the CLM. The ILACA students live in pairs with each family.

The CLM also offers various opportunities and activities for students including:

• A theater workshop
• Guided walking tours
• Regular musical recitals and flamenco shows
• Films in Spanish, French, English and the other languages taught at the CLM
• Sporting activities such as hiking, mountain biking, swimming, soccer and basketball.

Special interests

You are encouraged to explore your special interests while in Granada. It's a great way to connect with people in the community who have similar interests and to engage with the culture in a much deeper way.

Take a look at how Jordan Loucks (University of Puget Sound) joined with a local band which led to her playing in an 8-hour long procession during the city's Semana Santa celebration.

Program Costs

Contact your Study Abroad Advisor to find out specific cost information for your university. In most case, financial, grants, and loans can be applied to the cost of the program.

Semester program fees include:

• Tuition
• Course materials
• DELE exam costs
• Excursions
• Double occupancy homestay
• All meals
• Laundry
• Medical insurance
• On-site orientation and support
• Pre-departure support
• Visa courier fee

Airfare, visa costs, and personal expenses are not included.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

All withdrawals must be made in writing to Willamette University's Office of International Education at Willamette University. Applicants canceling fewer than 60 days prior to the arrival date (start date) of the program will forfeit $300 of the program fee as well as any unrecoverable costs. Cancellations made fewer than 30 days prior to the start of the program will forfeit $500 of the program fee as well as any unrecoverable costs. Unrecoverable costs can include partial payment of housing and meal costs (approx. $2000) depending on the date of withdrawal. No refunds will be made after the start date of the program.

How to Apply

Contact your the study abroad office at your university for more information about the application process:

Gonzaga University

Study Abroad
Gonzaga University
(509) 313-3549 or 800-440-5391
studyabroad@gonzaga.edu
https://www.gonzaga.edu/academics/global-engagement/for-students/study-abroad 

Lewis & Clark College

Overseas and Off-Campus Programs
Lewis & Clark College
(503) 768-7295 
overseas@lclark.edu
https://college.lclark.edu/programs/overseas_and_off-campus

Pacific Lutheran University

Wang Center for Global and Community Engaged Education
(253) 535-7577
wang.center@plu.edu
https://www.plu.edu/wang-center/

University of Portland

UP Study Abroad
(503) 943-7857
studyabroad@up.edu
https://www.up.edu/studyabroad 

University of Puget Sound

Office of International Programs
(253) 872-2514
ceyssautier@pugetsound.edu
https://www.pugetsound.edu/international-programs/study-abroad 

University of Redlands

Study Away
(909) 748-8044
CASStudyAway@redlands.edu
www.redlands.edu/study/study-away 

Whitworth University

Office of International Education
(509) 777-4596
nmckinney@whitworth.edu
https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/administration/international-education

Willamette University

Office of International Education
(503) 375-5493
gogranada@willamette.edu
https://willamette.edu/offices/oie/abroad/index.html 

If your university is not listed and you are interested in Willamette University's Granada Program please contact:

Dr. Kris Lou, Director, Willamette University
(503) 375-5493
gogranada@willamette.edu

Applications for students outside the above-mentioned schools are accepted on a rolling basis.