Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
Spend your summer or semester studying the Spain of the past, present, and future. Investigate and experience the give and take between the cultures and ideas that have defined Spain for generations. Live and study in a city that is the product of hundreds of years of contact between the Romani, Muslims, Jews, and Christians. Explore the streets and cross paths with the languages and livelihoods of the Spaniards, West Africans, Latin Americans, and Eastern Europeans that make up the city of Granada, Spain.
Offered through the University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), this program provides you the opportunity to study Spanish language and culture. You will take courses at the Centro Granadi de Español (CEGRI), a private school specializing in teaching Spanish language and about Spanish cultures to U.S. students.
Granada is an ancient city of almost unrivaled beauty and architectural splendor in the south of Spain. Experience the rich cultures of Spain and the region of Andalucia in your studies and travels.
Not sure where Granada is? See it on a map here.
Granada is located in southern Spain, one hour from the Mediterranean coast, at the foot of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains and has a population of around 300,000. In addition to a rich cultural history, Granada has numerous activities geared towards students' interests, such as a vibrant nightlife and Flamenco and Salsa classes taught around the city.
Granada offers an interesting mixture of different cultures and backgrounds, creating a mosaic of traditional Spanish customs combined with modern and foreign trends. The city is also home to one of the premier attractions of Spain and the world, the Alhambra, a Moorish citadel and palace. The pomegranate (in Spanish, granada) is the insignia of the city.
Granada: A Look at the City
Getting to Your Program
UIUC offers a group flight for this program. You may also make your own arrangements; however, you are given guidelines for arrival dates and times.
Visa
SummerU.S. citizens studying in Spain for the summer session do not need a visa. U.S. citizens must have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. If you are not a US citizen, contact your Study Abroad Advisor for guidance.
Semester
A student visa is required for U.S. citizens studying in Spain for a semester. UIUC will provide you with visa information. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program. If you are not a U.S. citizen, contact your Study Abroad Advisor for guidance.
You are advised NOT to leave the U.S. for any international travel up to three months before the program begins as your passport must be turned over to the consulate for visa processing. If you must be out of the country more than a couple of days prior to the program start date, there is no guarantee that the consulate will process the visa in time for your departure.
Student visas cannot be extended in Spain.
Orientation
IAP expects you to be an active participant in preparing yourself for your study abroad experience. As a participant on an IAP program, you will receive a pre-departure orientation, either in-person or online. The type and format of this orientation will vary by program and will be provided to you upon acceptance to the program.
Upon arrival in Granada, a several-day orientation gives you practical information about living in Spain, as well as cultural and historical information about the region.
Housing
You are matched with a homestay family in Granada, an excellent way to practice your language skills and connect with a local family. You will be paired with a family based on your needs and preferences as you indicate in your housing application. The homestay family provides three meals a day.
If you are taking classes at the University of Granada during the spring semester, you will be responsible for the extended room/board expenses due to the university's later examination period.
Excursions and Activities
CEGRI believes that cultural knowledge is just as important as the ability to correctly use grammatical structures so a comprehensive cultural program is combined with classroom time. You will spend a portion of your semester in the city of Granada, and experience firsthand sites related to the civilization, art, and history of the city.
You will participate in at least two full-group excursions during the semester and one in the summer. Common excursions have been an overnight trip to the Alpujarras (in the mountains) and a day trip to Cordoba. Note: these are subject to change based on conditions in Granada. There will also be dinners and small group activities organized by the program.
You can also get involved in the city teaching English to Spanish speakers and volunteering in the community.
Insurance
You will be enrolled in the UW System required health insurance through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) and the cost of the insurance coverage is included in program fees.
On-Site Support
Program Director Miguel Angel Galindo, Assistant Director Nerea Muguerza, and CEGRI Director Miguel Angel Fernandez will be available to students for onsite support.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
Granada, Spain Spring 2013 handbook (Spring - 2012-13)
Granada, Spain IAP Handbook (Summer - 2012-13)
Granada, Spain IAP Handbook (Fall - 2013-14)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
Student Profiles
Check out student profiles to learn more about their experience abroad.
Jessica ConnellOlivia Thompson-Davies Alexa Jansen
Student Testimonials
"The program overall was the best experience of my life. I loved that Granada is a small city, so I had the chance to get to know the city. Living with a host family was also a great experience for me. The school was more than accommodating and the teachers were some of the best I've ever had in my life."
"Granada is a great place for students trying to learn Spanish because a lot of people in the city don't speak English, or are patient enough with you to let you try."
"The real learning came from the consistent use of Spanish and from interacting with the community. Our classes gave us the skills to do that."
Blogs
Read about current & past students' adventures.
Olivia-Summer 2012
You will spend the summer or semester in Granada taking courses at CEGRI, an international center for higher education that specializes in the teaching of Spanish language and culture to foreign university students. CEGRI offers personalized instruction with classes limited to no more than eighteen students. In addition to their University training as foreign language teachers, CEGRI instructors go through a rigorous training program to ensure that they are familiar with the most current methods of Spanish language instruction as well as attuned to the academic concerns of their foreign students.
In addition to language courses, CEGRI offers courses related to the rich culture of Spain and the region of Andalucia, where Granada is located.
You will will choose from classes in Spanish grammar, literature, history, linguistics, art history, contemporary Spanish politics and culture, and Islamic history and art. All classes are taught in Spanish and are taken with other American students on the program.
Spring term participants with five or more semesters of Spanish may take classes at the University of Granada in addition to CEGRI courses, while students with four semesters of Spanish may only take courses at CEGRI.
Courses at the University of Granada allow you to experience the Spanish educational system, immerse yourself in a local culture, and give you opportunities to meet local students. Founded in 1531, the University of Granada has become one of the major intellectual centers in Spain. Around 80,000 students from throughout the country come to Granada each year to pursue their studies. Tutoring assistance is provided to students taking classes at the University of Granada. University of Granada courses end about a month and a half after CEGRI courses.
Affiliate Institution(s)
CEGRI
Universidad de Granada
Program Web Page(s)
UIUC Spanish Studies in Granada
Foreign Courses
UIUC Granada Course Listing
Course Equivalents
Use the links below to see a list of courses that students have taken on this program before and the UW equivalents. Note: this list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses or departments. You will get instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance.
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