Summer Language + Culture
Unique Experiences
EXPLORE HISTORICAL TREASURES
In this UNESCO World Heritage City and birthplace of literary great Miguel de Cervantes
STAY WITH A SPANISH FAMILY
at their Alcalá home – and soak up the language as you live like a local
PERFECT YOUR SPOKEN SPANISH
by taking courses taught in Spanish that include multiple co-curricular visits
180
WHITE STORKS RETURN TO NEST ANNUALLY ON THE CITY’S ROOFTOPS
1499
DATE UNIVERSIDAD DE ALCALÁ WAS FOUNDED
22
MILES FROM MADRID
Your Destination
Like the city’s famous white storks, you’ll be tempted to return every year. With very few English speakers residing in this small city, Alcalá is a great location for practicing your Spanish in the local community, ordering food in the many restaurants and tapas bars, talking to shop attendants, or conversing with one of the many elderly locals sitting on a park bench. The program is located at the Instituto Benjamin Franklin (IBF), part of the University’s historic campus offering direct access to a study lounge and a library during the week. Medieval at its core, the well-preserved city center includes Muslim, Jewish, and Christian quarters, and is dotted with historical significance. No wonder the city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Rail and bus lines give easy access to other regions, and of course, nearby Madrid.
CIEE wants all our students to feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed while studying abroad. Local CIEE staff have provided details about conditions and cultural attitudes that students with specific identities might encounter in Alcala De Henares.
The Culture
FEATURED EXCURSION
Venture into Madrid, Spain’s capital city, for a guided walking tour of the Moncloa district and West Park, where you learn about the history of the Spanish Civil War and the antifascist resistance under the Franco Dictatorship. Discover the war-torn building remnants still standing from the front lines of the Civil War in the 1930s, as well as the role of US citizens in the battles and the imperialist style of Francoist architecture from the postwar reconstruction era. Students enjoy a magnificent view of the city from the Madrid Faro tower and explore the nearby university campus area.
OTHER EXCURSIONS & ACTIVITIES
- Put your coursework in context with museum visits.
- Explore beyond the city with one-day trips to World Heritage sites such as medieval Toledo city, the Golden Age Palace and Monastery of El Escorial, the Roman settlements of Segovia, or similar.
- If you prefer the outdoors, enjoy kayaking and a group picnic in the National Park of the Guadarrama mountains.
- Dip in some of the public swimming pools in Alcalá or Madrid
- Indulge in Spanish sweets, such as chocolates con churros, roasted almonds, and fresh cakes, all meticulously prepared and artfully presented.
LANGUAGE IMMERSION
- By agreeing to speak Spanish during the program, your language proficiency will progress rapidly.
- Meals with your homestay are an ideal time to practice new vocabulary.
- With all classes in Spanish, you’ll benefit from full immersion, every day.
Program Blogs
Academics Abroad in Spain
While academics were a big motivator for me going abroad, they did not take over my entire experience and I was able to embrace immersion and travel. The courses that... keep reading
Preparing to Study Abroad: What You Need to Know
Before studying abroad in Spain this past summer, I prepared extensively to make sure everything went smoothly during my travels and upon arrival. It is important to own your abroad... keep reading
Best CIEE Excursions in Spain
My experience abroad with CIEE was made most memorable by the organized excursions and activities. I studied in Alcalá de Henares, Spain and my class schedule revolved around the siesta... keep reading
HOUSING & MEALS
HOUSING
Housing for CIEE students is organized via the Universidad de Alcalá´s housing department.
Homestay: Students can live with local hosts – a great way to absorb maximum language and culture and create lasting friendships. Hosts range from families to individuals, and for summer 2023 they welcome one CIEE student only. Each student has a private bedroom, WiFi access and laundry facilities. Students have their own individual room. Homestays are near the Instituto Benjamin Franklin at Universidad de Alcalá, where CIEE students take classes.
Student Residence: There is one privately-operated student residence in Alcalá with limited space during the summer. This modern-style, WiFi enabled accommodation typically houses students in single or double bedrooms. Residence halls are close to supermarkets, restaurants, public transport. Coin laundry service is available at an additional expense. The residence includes a study lounge, small gym, and a student cafeteria with vegetarian, halal, kosher and vegan options.
Housing decisions are at the sole discretion of the host university, Universidad de Alcala. If our host partner can’t accommodate your first housing choice, we’ll let you know before you arrive.
MEALS
Three meals are provided at your homestay and at the student residence cafeteria.
Getting Around: Students under 26 years old receive a Madrid Youth Transport Card, which allows unlimited use of the Alcalá and Madrid public bus system, commuter trains, and the local train to Madrid, which is about a 35-minute ride.
Academics
Students take two courses across a range of academic areas, including art, film, gastronomy, government, history, literature, Spanish for healthcare professionals, translations, and more. Courses are taught in Spanish by faculty from the Universidad de Alcalá and other teaching professionals. In-class work is augmented with co-curricular visits to the city’s rich variety of cultural institutions and organizations relevant to the course offering.
Before the start of the program, students must complete four semesters of college-level Spanish (or equivalent) and have a 3.0 GPA in the most recently completed Spanish class.
Universidad de Alcalá is one of the longest standing European universities, dating back to 1293. Several of its buildings have been declared part of a UNESCO World Heritage site after the university was re-founded in 1977. Courses are held at Instituto Benjamin Franklin (Instituto), a renovated 16th century convent that’s both modern and beautiful.
Course Information
CIEE students may only enroll in courses taught in Spanish.
Instituto Benjamin Franklin at the Universidad de Alcalá
Not all courses listed are offered every session, and some courses have prerequisites and/or conflicting schedules. A final list of Instituto courses is available a few months prior to the start of the program. Students should refer to the course registration form in their acceptance materials for a final list of courses. For more information, visit the Universidad de Alcalá Study Abroad Program website.
- Advanced Spanish
- Business Spanish
- Cervantes: The Adventures of Don Quixote
- Composition and Conversation: Spain through the Media
- Contemporary Spain through Films
- Contemporary Spanish Literature
- History of Spanish Painting: The Great Painters
- Introduction to Latin American Literature
- Introduction to Literary Analysis
- Masterpieces of the Spanish Literature through Film
- Phonetics and Oral Spanish
- Spain and its Gastronomy
- Spanish Art: Theory and Practice
- Spanish Culture and Civilization
- Traditions in Spain: Oral Communication
- Translation and Interpretation in a Bilingual Context
- Understanding Europe: Present and Future of the EU
Note: This course listing is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a contract between CIEE and any applicant, student, institution, or other party. The courses, as described, may be subject to change as a result of ongoing curricular revisions, assignment of lecturers and teaching staff, and program development. Courses may be canceled due to insufficient enrollment.
"(GI)" denotes courses that originated at CIEE's Global Institutes and that are offered at multiple CIEE sites.
Scholarships & Grants
CIEE offers scholarships and grants annually to help students like you make your study abroad dream a reality.
Students who apply to this program are eligible for the following scholarships and grants:
- Ping Scholarships for Academic Excellence
- Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Grants
- CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant
- MSI Grant
- CIEE STEM Scholarship
To be considered, submit the CIEE Scholarships & Grants application within your CIEE program application.
Dates & Fees
You get more for every dollar when you study abroad with CIEE, because our high-quality programs include everything from excursions to insurance. There are no hidden charges, and no disappointing surprises when you arrive.
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Fees & Housing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $4,850 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $4,850 | |
| Program Summer Session I and II 2025 8 weeks | Start Date * | End Date * | Fees & Housing $8,730 |
*Dates for this program are provided as tentative dates. Please consult with your study abroad advisor to confirm dates before purchasing your flights.
To help you budget, keep in mind that students are responsible for the cost of international airfare, local transportation, books and supplies, visas, and personal expenses. In addition, your college or university may charge additional fees for study abroad, or may require you to receive a transcript via CIEE's School of Record, which carries an additional fee of $500.
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $3,280**
Housing = $1,070***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $4,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $0†
International Airfare = $540††
Local Transportation = $0†††
Books & Supplies = $10
Personal expenses = $150††††
Total Costs = $700Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***includes all meals
†All meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local public transport card included in program fee
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $3,280**
Housing = $1,070***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $4,850Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $0†
International Airfare = $540††
Local Transportation = $0†††
Books & Supplies = $10
Personal expenses = $150††††
Total Costs = $700Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***includes all meals
†All meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local public transport card included in program fee
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
Program Fees
CIEE offers the most student support of any provider in its program fee, including an airport greeting, full-time leadership and support, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions, pre-departure advising, and CIEE iNext travel protection with benefits.
Participation Confirmation = $300*
Educational Costs = $6,090**
Housing = $2,140***
Insurance = $200
Total Fees = $8,730Estimated Costs
Students are responsible and manage costs related to travel, meals, books, and personal expenses. Below are estimates for consideration.
Meals not included in program fee = $0†
International Airfare = $540††
Local Transportation = $0†††
Books & Supplies = $20
Personal expenses = $300††††
Total Costs = $860Financial Aid
CIEE offers the most grants and scholarships of any study abroad organization, including $8 million/year in travel grants, merit-based scholarships, institutional and MSI grants, and Gilman Go Global Grants.
*non-refundable
**direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students
***includes all meals
†All meals included (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
††Round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure
†††Local public transport included in program fee
††††$100 emergency fund + cell phone expense + toiletries
What's Included
Tuition
Housing
Pre-departure Advising
Advising before you depart to set goals and answer questions
Optional on-site airport meet-and-greet
Orientation
Introduction to your program plus practical information about living in your host city
On-site Staff
Full-time program leadership and support in your city
Cultural and/or Co-curricular Activities
Excursions and/or Study Tours
Travel Protection
CIEE iNext travel protection
24/7 emergency on-site support
Our Staff
Eero Jesurun
Center Director
Eero Jesurun, Ph.D. completed his B.S. and M.A degrees from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service. Eero studied at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid where he obtained a Ph.D...
Get Started
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2
Connect With Your Campus Study Abroad Office
Share your plans and confirm you're on track to meet all required steps to go abroad.
3
Contact Us
Send us an email if you still have questions or need information about applying to this program.
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