Overview | Academics | Cost | Location | Life Abroad | Student Voices
You will be able to complete an internship and study in Toledo on this program that is offered through the University of Minnesota and the prestigious Jose Ortega y Gasset Foundation.
Toledo, is a walled city, and has been home for more than 2,000 years to a succession of Roman, Jewish, Visigoth, Moorish and Christian civilizations.
Toledo, a city of approximately 80,000, has been declared a World Heritage site. It offers an environment where you can be immersed in Spanish culture through coursework, internships and daily life. Toledo is located 30 minutes from Madrid, if you take a high-speed train.
Visa
A student visa is not required for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens must have a U.S. passport valid for at least six months beyond the end of the program.
Orientation
There is an on-site orientation given upon arrival.
Housing
You can choose to live either in San Juan de la Penitencia Residence or with a Spanish host family. Housing requests are honored on a first-come, first-served basis.
You are encouraged to compare host family and residence housing options when considering this program.
San Juan de la Penitencia Residence: Single, double, and triple rooms with shared bathrooms are available, and residence occupants are almost entirely program participants. The residence includes dining, classroom, library, recreational and housing facilities. This is a convenient and flexible living arrangement, where you can come and go as you please. The Residencia is within walking distance to virtually everything Toledo has to offer. This makes it easy to get out into the community and meet Toledanos. A maid service cleans your room and bathroom every day, and there are laundry facilities in the basement. Meals are included in the program fee and are taken at the residence.
Host Family: For many people, living with a family is their best experience while in Spain. Many students make life-long ties to their families and, through them, can meet other Spaniards. If you choose a homestay, you will have a first-hand look at Spanish culture and society and will be immersed in the Spanish language. Typically, you and your family will live in an apartment, as single family houses are not as common in Spain as in the US. You will have your own room and private study space.
Many homestays are located outside of old Toledo, approximately seven kilometers from the program facilities. Toledo has a good bus system and homestay students will be provided with a bus pass. You will be provided with three meals a day with your family. If you are unable to go home for lunch, you can sign up to eat with the other participants at the Residence.
Families are screened very carefully. Upon arrival students will stay in the Residence for approximately one week. During that time students will have the opportunity to meet with the housing placement coordinator to discuss the placement process and to meet the family. If frustrations or concerns arise, the homestay coordinator is there to help you and can even arrange a new family if necessary.
Excursions and Activities
Three one-day excursions are included in the cost of the summer program to provide you with cultural and historic perspectives of Spain. Visits are made to such sites as Madrid, Aranjuez, Cuenca, the grand El Escorial, Segovia, and the Route of Don Quixote.
Insurance
The University of Minnesota offers mandatory international health insurance for education abroad opportunities provided through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Students on University of Minnesota sponsored programs through the Learning Abroad Center are covered by this policy. The cost of this insurance is included in the program fee.
On-Site Support
Jose Ortega and Gasset Foundation staff.
Handbooks
Use the links below to find out more information on academics, daily life and student impressions for this program.
UMN Toledo On-site Guide 2012-2013 (Summer - 2012-13)
Returned Student Network
Click
here to see testimonials from students abroad or to contact a returned student.
All UW students will do an internship on the program. You have the option of doing a 6-credit internship or a 3-credit internship and taking an additional class.
If you choose a 6 credit internship, you will be expected to work 30 hours/week at your internship site. If you do a 3 credit internship, you will be expected to work 15 hours/week at your internship site.
Examples of internship sites include the Regional Parliament, museums, newspapers, Toledo City Hall, schools, radio stations, community service organizations and a physical rehabilitation hospital.
The Jose Ortega y Gasset Foundation offers classes in a wide range of topics including anthropology, archaeology, art history, economics, history, interdisciplinary studies, linguistics, political science, Spanish cultural heritage, Spanish language, Spanish and Latin American literature, women's studies, Spanish theatre and business.
Program Web Page(s)
umabroad.umn.edu/programs/europe/toledo.php
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.
Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by Foreign Course Titles
Group by host institution and Sort by UW-Madison Course Titles
