ciee - council on international educational exchange
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perth - sustainability + the environment

Is this program right for you?

Choose this program if you are a highly motivated student with a minimum of two and one half years of college-level Spanish and a particular interest in cultural, economic, and social issues relevant to contemporary Spain and its capital, Madrid. If you are ready for the challenge of using Spanish as your primary language of communication; if you want the opportunity to study alongside native Spanish students at a historic university; if you want to live in a small university town with few other American students in residence, yet have every cultural and leisure activity imaginable available in Madrid just 35 minutes away; then, this program is right for you.

Program Snapshot

  • Perfect your Spanish skills: learn formal Spanish in the classroom and colloquial Spanish in the community; participate in conversation exchanges
  • Get to know Alcalá de Henares and Madrid, each with its own culture
  • Choose between living in a Spanish homestay or a shared room at the University residencia with Spanish and other international students
  • Enjoy cultural visits to museums, theaters, and fairs; day trips to Toledo, Segovia, and Cuenca; and overnights to Andalusia, Asturias, León, and Extremadura

Subject Areas

  • Art
  • Art History
  • Business
  • Business Spanish
  • History
  • Linguistics
  • Literature
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Political Science
  • Spanish Culture
  • Spanish Language

About Alcalá de Henares

Alcalá de Henares, named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1998, is located 30 minutes northeast of Madrid. Alcalá is the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote de la Mancha. It has a population of 300,000, including approximately 16,000 university students, and a growing number of immigrant groups from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Alcalá’s historic center is a mix of harmonious streets, noble architecture dating back to the 16th century, convents, shops, restaurants, tapas bars, and graceful storks that nest atop buildings.

Where You'll Study

Universidad de Alcalá

The Universidad de Alcalá was founded in 1499. In 1836, the University transferred to the nearby capital of Madrid, leaving its historic facilities in Alcalá unused until 1977, when the University was re-established. The Instituto Benjamin Franklin offers academic programs in Hispanic Studies for U.S. students. CIEE students can also take courses in three schools at the Universidad de Alcalá: Philosophy and Letters, Economics and Business, and Law.

Thoughts From Abroad

I look forward to welcoming you to Alcalá de Henares. Alcalá is a unique place that offers you insight into the history and traditions that continue to shape contemporary Spain. Minutes from Madrid, the geographical center of Spain, Alcalá is a wonderful location in which to study literature, humanities, and social sciences at one of the oldest universities in the country. Come and learn why the dreams of Don Quixote and the life of Miguel de Cervantes are key influences in today’s Spain; come and enjoy this vibrant, beautiful city where you can interact with many young Spaniards; and finally, come and live in Alcalá to learn how its rich, historical past makes it a cherished jewel of Spain!

Espero darte la bienvenida muy pronto en Alcalá de Henares. Alcalá está ubicada en un lugar único de la historia, literatura y tradiciones y nos ofrece un espejo de la sociedad española. Además, Alcalá ofrece mucho en cuanto a ambiente cultural y social se refiere: teatro, espectáculos, conferencias, cines, tiendas, restaurantes y oportunidades para hacer amigos españoles. Es posible disfrutar a la vez de sus parques y plazas históricas donde leer, o simplemente contemplar a los artistas callejeros. Además, Alcalá está muy cerca de la vida cosmopolita, museos y centro cultural de la capital, Madrid.

— Cristina Blanco, Resident Director,

Staff Bios

Cristina Blanco, Resident Director, earned her undergraduate degree in Filología Hispánica y Educación Infantil and graduate degrees at the Universidad de Alcalá, where she focused on Teaching Spanish as a Foreign Language. Cristina taught at Middlebury College in Vermont, Kobe Gaidai University in Japan, and the International Trade Institute in Taiwan’s Ministry of Commerce. She is the co-author of a textbook on Spanish for foreigners and another about nonverbal communication.

The CIEE Resident Director is assisted onsite by a student intern, a former CIEE participant, who helps with administrative and day-to-day matters.

Recommended Credit

semester: 12-15 semester/18-22.5 quarter hours
academic year: 24-30 semester/36-45 quarter hours

Eligibility Requirements

  • Overall GPA 2.75
  • 3.0 GPA in most recent Spanish class
  • Fall applicants: 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent
  • Spring applicants: 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent

Program Dates

Fall 20099/2/2009 - 12/17/2009
Academic Year 2009-109/2/2009 - 5/7/2010
Spring 20101/11/2010 - 5/7/2010

Application Deadlines

Fall 20094/1/2009
Academic Year 2009-104/1/2009
Spring 201010/15/2009

Click here to check for deadline extensions.

Duration

Fall 200915 or 23 weeks
late August - mid-December or mid-February
Academic Year 2009-1034 or 41 weeks
late August - early May or late June/early July
Spring 201016 or 23 weeks
early January - late April or mid-June

CIEE Costs

CIEE program fees, inclusions, and estimated additional costs, are outlined below. Please note that CIEE reserves the right to adjust its fees in the event of significant change in exchange rates or other factors beyond its control. The actual cost of the programs may vary slightly for students from different institutions.

For comprehensive fee breakdowns and estimated additional costs, click the costs below:

  • Fall 2009 $13,200
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Also includes mandatory Universidad de Alcalá insurance.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$8,326
    Housing and Meals$4,800
    Medical Insurance*$74
    Total$13,200

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Also includes mandatory Universidad de Alcalá insurance.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Local Transportation$500
    Books and Supplies$300
    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Visa Fee$100
    Total$5,450


  • Academic Year 2009-10 $23,750
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Also includes mandatory Universidad de Alcalá insurance.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Medical Insurance*$74
    Educational Costs (direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$14,076
    Housing and Meals$9,600
    Total$23,750

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.*Also includes mandatory Universidad de Alcalá insurance.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$5,600
    Local Transportation$1,000
    Books and Supplies$600
    Visa Fee$100
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Total$9,050


  • Spring 2010 $13,400
    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, host institution insurance, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.

    Program Fees

    This breakdown has been prepared from the program budget for the purpose of calculating eligibility for financial aid. During the course of program operations, actual figures may vary. It should not, therefore, be used as a basis for calculation of refunds. CIEE reserves the right to adjust fees at any time.

    Students required to study on CIEE programs through a School of Record will be charged a $340 administrative fee in addition to the Program Fees listed below.

    Educational Costs (Direct cost of education charged uniformly to all students; including $300 non-refundable Participation Confirmation Fee)$9,126
    Medical Insurance$74
    Housing and Meals$4,200
    Total$13,400

    The CIEE fee includes an optional on-site airport meet and greet, tuition, housing, all meals in homestays or a monthly meal stipend in university residencias, orientation, host institution insurance, organized cultural activities, full-day excursions, overnight field trips, pre-departure advising, and a CIEE iNext travel card which provides insurance and other travel benefits.



    Estimated Additional Costs

    The estimated additional costs indicated below are intended to assist students and parents in budgeting for those additional living and discretionary expenses not included in the program fee. Actual expenses will vary according to student interests and spending habits.

    Transportation (round-trip based on U.S. East Coast departure)$1,350
    Personal Expenses$2,800
    Books and Supplies$300
    Local Transportation$500
    Potential Travel to Consulate for Visa$400
    Visa Fee$100
    Total$5,450


Scholarship Information

For a complete list of scholarships available, please vist our Scholarships section.