Study abroad can be an enlightening, maturing and life-changing experience. As students live in and learn to understand a different culture, they are challenged to re-examine themselves, their attitudes and their studies. Salamanca, due to its rich historic, artistic and cultural heritage, is considered one of Spain’s most important cities. The mark of civilizations, some of which pre-date the Romans, can be found throughout the city. Many important historical figures passed through Salamanca: the duke of Alba, Meléndez Valdés, Unamuno, Columbus, Cervantes, and the Conde-duque de Olivares. In the field of Art, all the styles have left their most worthy and exquisite mark on this city. The Spanish Plateresque style, of decorative quality and fine execution, offers its most beautiful examples in Salamanca. The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is one of the oldest and most renowned in Europe. Salamanca was awarded Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO and in 2002 the city was declared European Capital of Culture.
The Program
You will live and study in the heart of Salamanca, where Spanish is the primary language, so that everyday life will support the experience of the classroom. Eligibility to participate in the program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5 in at least 12 units of previous college level course work. This course work can be completed at Citrus College or students' home institution. Universtiy students are welcome to apply. Spain students enroll in 12-14 units in Salamanca. If you choose the traditional Spanish program - Spanish I, II, III, or IV - you are sure to achieve a high degree of proficiency in understanding and speaking Spanish and a command of oral Spanish that can only be achieved through an immersion program.
Students can select from several other course offerings including, but not limited to Psychology, Sociology, History, Art Hisory, Business, Communications, Economics, Philosophy and Political Science.
All students will gain an understanding of Spanish culture, geography, art, literature and history through the Spanish Life and Culture class. The resident directors organize sightseeing, concerts, museum visits and other field trips, encouraging students to benefit from the rich and varied cultural offerings of Spain.
Your course of study will be a regular part of your college program. Classes are taught by faculty from your home college or one of the colleges that are members of the Southern California Foothills Consortium for Study Abroad and can include Salamanca based instructors. All courses are transferable to either CSU or UC or both, and most meet general education or major requirements (refer to Citrus College catalog). The classes will require the same academic commitment and effort that they would demand on your own campus.
Travel Opportunities
The opportunities for local travel are too numerous to mention more than a sampling. Spain has sights and scenes to occupy the mind and imagination. Courses are held on a four-day week (M-Th), so students have frequent opportunities to travel.
Our Semester in Spain begins with a night in Madrid. Students are housed in a Madrid hotel and receive a guided tour of the city and a visit to the Royal Palace and the famous Prado Museum. Madrid is a vibrant city and the seat of Spain's government. It is also a cultural center and home to many famous museums. Madrid is only 2-1/2 hours by bus from Salamanca so students will find it easy to return during the semester either by bus or train.
Included in the Spain program is a day excursion to Avila, an outstanding example of a fortified city of the Middle Ages and Segovia, with its panoply of squares and mansions from its days of Golden Age grandeur, when it was a royal resort and base for the Cortes (parliament). Another day excursion will take students to El Escorial and La Granja de San Ildefonso. El Escorial is one of the most impressive buildings in Spain. In the Pantheon de los Reyes you will find the tombs of almost every King of Spain. La Granja de San Ildefonso is an eighteenth-century palace surrounded by 1,500 acres of extensive gardens and scluptural fountains.
Students can also participate in the optional three-day/two-night excursion to Lisbon, Portugal. Participants are housed in a tourist-class hotel in twin or triple-bedded rooms with daily breakfasts and one group meal. Group transportation is by private, deluxe motor coach. Tour includes the services of a multi-lingual AIFS Tour Manager and professional local guide in Lisbon. Tour to Lisbon is $495.