Department of Spanish

Department of Spanish

Summer Study Abroad in Santander, Spain

Summer II 2007
June 4 - July 26, 2007

Information provided in this description is subject to change

Program Description

Academic Program The WMU program at the Universidad de Cantabria offers qualified students the opportunity to study Spanish language and culture in university courses especially designed for them.

This program offers eight weeks of intensive Spanish language instruction with an emphasis on written and oral communication as well as Spanish grammar. Also included is a four-week class in Spanish culture taught by a faculty member from the Department of Spanish at WMU. This course will include planned excursions to area landmarks, as well as trips to such places as Burgos, Bilbao, Comillas, Santillana del Mar, San Sebastin, and the prehistoric caves of Puente Viesgo.

Students will earn a total of nine credit hours for the eight weeks of study in Spain. Six of these Summer II credits will be Spanish language and three will be Spanish culture.

Administrative Organization and Student Responsibility

Students will be advised by the WMU faculty program director, who will be a member of the regular WMU Spanish faculty. The faculty director for Santander 2007 is Dr. Mariola Pérez de la Cruz of the Department of Spanish. She will offer orientation on campus prior to departure and will also teach a four-week course in Spanish culture in Santander. During the time the program director is in Santander she will be available to assist students in academic matters. At the conclusion of the four-week course in Spanish culture, the program director will depart from Santander and students will continue under the auspices of the Centro de Idiomas.

In addition to doing satisfactory academic work, WMU students are to comply with all rules and regulations of both WMU and the Universidad de Cantabria. Any student who does not meet academic and behavioral standards may be dropped at any time.

Eligibility

  • Student must be at least 18 years old at time of application.
  • Sophomore standing by beginning of study in Santander.
  • Completion of SPAN 3160 prior to the beginning of the program. At least one Spanish course must have been completed at WMU. Students who have taken SPAN 3170 but not SPAN 3160 may apply as exceptions
  • A 3.0 (B) grade point average in Spanish courses
  • Good overall academic standing.
  • Preference for admission will be given to students with strong academic records and high levels of Spanish language competence. Students accepted for this program are expected to speak only Spanish while they are in Spain, both in class and out.

The City of Santander

Santander is a medium sized city with approximately 200,000 inhabitants. It is the capital of the province of Cantabria, which has a surface area of 5,289 kilometers. The province has a population of 526,866. Its boundaries are the Cantabrian Sea to the north, the autonomous region of Castilla-León to the south, the Basque Country to the east, and Asturias to the west. Santander was founded in the 18th century and developed in the following century thanks to a flourishing commercial activity. In the 20th century, due to its beaches and appealing climate, it became a popular tourist destination promoted by the Spanish Royal Family. The city offers a friendly atmosphere. It is still favored by Spanish tourists who come predominantly from central and southern Spain. Santander has relatively little international tourism.

Santander is surrounded by places that have great historical interest: important remains from the Prehistoric Era (Altamira and Puente Viesgo Caves), Roman ruins (Julióbriga), medieval settlements (Santillana del Mar), examples of civil and religious architecture of the 19th and 20th Centuries (The Palaces of Elsedo, Soñanes and Rañada). The area nearby is famous for its great geographic diversity: beaches, bays and cliffs, together with green valleys and highland areas, such as the mountain range of the Picos de Europa, located 100 kilometers away from the coast. The climate is mild throughout the year. The average temperature is 19º C (67º F) in August and 9.5º C (49º F) in December. In Cantabria there are numerous facilities for sports, such as soccer and "bolos" (bocce ball). Sailing, surfing, mountaineering, rafting, trekking and skiing are also very popular.

The Festival Hall in Santander presents classical music concerts, operas, zarzuelas (operettas), jazz concerts, theatrical and dance performances. In addition, it houses a Film Club that sponsors movies not usually seen in commercial theaters.

Santander is especially well known for three art festivals: the Paloma O'Shea International Piano Competition, the Summer Cycle of Choral and Organ Music, and the International Festival of Santander. The city is home to several art galleries and to the following museums: the Cantabrian Sea Maritime Museum, the Menéndez Pelayo Library and Museum, the Municipal Fine Arts Museum, and the Regional Prehistoric and Archaeology Museum.

The Universidad de Cantabria

The Universidad de Cantabria is a public university founded in 1972. Before 1972, the university was a "Colegio Universitario" affiliated with the Universidad de Valladolid. It consisted of two schools: the College of Sciences and the School of Civil Engineering. Currently, the university has an enrollment of 15,000 students. It confers degrees in the following areas of study: physics; mathematics; medicine; geography; history; law; business administration; economics; nautical studies; business studies; engineering (civil engineering; telecommunications; chemical engineering; technical industrial engineering; technical telecommunications engineering/telecommunications systems; technical mining and metallurgical engineering). It also awards diplomas in education (early childhood education; primary education; physical education; foreign languages); ship machinery/maritime navigation; nursing; and labor relations. Throughout the year, the university offers an abundance of cultural activities.

Housing

Students selected for the program will stay with families in Santander. They will have individual rooms and will eat all three meals with the family.

Insurance

Western Michigan University purchases basic medical insurance to cover this program's participants while they are abroad. Information regarding this coverage will be distributed to students by the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education Office upon their acceptance into the program. Students will be required to attend a health insurance information session outlining the extent of coverage and the procedures to follow in case of accident or illness abroad. Additional health insurance coverage is not required for the program, but students may wish to purchase supplementary coverage. Questions concerning health insurance should be directed to the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, (269) 387-5890.

Costs and Payments

The approximate cost of the program is $4,165. The actual cost of this program is yet to be determined and will depend on the number of participants and the euro/dollar exchange rate. This basic cost includes tuition, fees, administrative fees, room and board, insurance and class related excursions. This cost does not include transportation, computer or e-mail usage, books or personal expenses.

Financial Assistance

  • Minority scholarships are available through the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Information and applications forms are available in B-200 Ellsworth Hall (387-5890).
  • Ruth Y. Kirby Awards. A total of 12 awards of approximately $1000 (six for study abroad; six for Spanish study on campus or abroad).  The application process and award selections occur during fall semester.
  • Travel/Study Abroad Awards in Spanish (six-eight awards of approximately $500 for Spanish majors or minors) are offered by the Department.The application process and award selections occur during spring semester. Business students should also consult with the Business College about any other possible awards. All students are urged to inform themselves of these opportunities at the earliest possible date in order to meet the application deadlines.
  • Students who already receive other financial aid (university, state, federal) probably will be able to use it for study in Santander. The Office of Financial can confirm whether or not such aid is applicable to a Summer II program. Students can also direct questions about this matter to the Foreign Study Coordinator in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, B-200 Ellsworth Hall.

Transportation

Students make their own travel arrangements both to and from Santander. They are expected to arrive in Santander by Saturday, June 2, 2007. They are advised to consult with the faculty director before finalizing their travel plans. If they travel independently to Santander they will be responsible for coordinating their arrival with the faculty program director. Students who wish to do so may travel to Santander with the faculty director.

The Application Process

  • All interested students should read the Santander program description and application information thoroughly.
  • Complete application includes: application form; transcript, short essay describing reasons for wanting to participate in the program; and three recommendations (submitted directly by faculty to department).
  • Application packets are available in the Department of Spanish office, 410 Sprau Tower. The fall phase begins in mid-September. A second application phase will take place during the following spring semester if all positions are not filled during the fall phase.  Early application is encouraged and appreciated. 
  • Applicants will be scheduled for an interview with the Selection Committee.
  • A student accepted for admission will be requested to complete additional necessary information, including a permission/release form and a health/physician's form. A program deposit of $500 may be charged to the student's account soon after acceptance. Students will receive instructions for payment of the program balance.
  • Students will be required to attend orientation meetings conducted on campus by the WMU faculty director.
  • NOTE: Students who receive acceptance into the program should apply immediately for a passport if they do not already have one. Students who already have a passport should verify that it is valid at least six months beyond the final date of this program. No visa is required for Summer II Study in Santander.

Additional information and application forms are available from:



Mariola Pérez de la Cruz

512 Sprau
387-3015
mariola.perez@wmich.edu


Professor Mercedes Tasende

409 Sprau
387-3003
mercedes.tasende@wmich.edu


Professor Michael Millar

415 Sprau
387-3026
michael.millar@wmich.edu


The Department of Spanish

420 Sprau
387-3023
spanish@wmich.edu


Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education Office

B-200 Ellsworth
387-5890
study-abroad@wmich.edu



Western Michigan University reserves the right to cancel or revise the program if necessary.

 

Department of Spanish
420 Sprau Tower
Western Michigan University
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5338 USA
(269) 387-3023 | (269) 387-3103 Fax
spanish@wmich.edu