Honors Spanish Language & Culture
Summer '25 Applications Open
The Take-Aways
Language Growth and Cultural Proficiency
Come home with a higher level of Spanish and a greater understanding of Spanish culture. Use your STAMP 4S language proficiency pre- and post-test scores to demonstrate your language growth and help you earn a Seal of Biliteracy.
College Credits
Earn 4 college credits toward your future college degree. Take advantage of the credits to stand out on your college applications or to satisfy college language requirements.
Life Skills and New Friendships
Return with greater self-confidence, independence, and adaptability. Enjoy a broader worldview and friends of different backgrounds from across the U.S.
60
Hours of Instruction with a Native Spanish Teacher
4
College Credits
1
Life-Changing Experience
The Destination
Welcome to Seville, a city of old-world charm with iconic architecture, colorful streets, and tapas bars all around.
Referred to as the “Pearl of Andalusia,” Seville is one of the most visited cities in Spain, situated in the fertile valley of the Guadalquivir River, with the beaches of Cádiz to the south and enchanting Granada to the east, both places you will visit on excursions.
With over 2,200 years of history, Seville is a lively and livable city with an extensive, well-preserved historical quarter, the largest in Spain and third largest in all of Europe. Boasting UNESCO World Heritage Sites— like the Cathedral and Giralda tower and the Alcázar palace where scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed—Seville never ceases to impress.
Known for its warm, friendly people, flamenco rhythms, spectacular tiled murals, intricate balconies, and Moorish flair, Seville is quintessential southern Spain. Winding cobblestone streets designed to provide shade to beat the heat will refresh you in this hot Andalusian city, as will the Metropol Parasol, commonly known as Las Setas, the world’s largest wooden structure designed for public events with shaded terraces and views of the city.
Cultural Awareness
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 Seville.
Weekly Learning Goals
CIEE’s Honors programs offer classes only at Levels 2 and 3. Level 2 is for students who can carry on everyday conversations in Spanish, and Level 3 is for those who can participate in discussions on social and academic topics. In the spring before you depart, you’ll take a language proficiency test and when you arrive on site, you’ll participate in an oral interview. How you do on the test and in the interview will identify the level that is right for you.
Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day, you’ll advance your Spanish—through activities and discussions in class and through conversations with locals in the community and at your homestay.
WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates as you explore the Identity Theme. Give information about yourself in interviews, make comparisons, and describe people in a host family tree. For your Project, create and present a Personal Profile.
WEEK 2: Explore Spanish culture during this week’s Creativity Theme. Compare musical performances, express opinions on art, tell what happened in movies, and persuade a classmate to attend a cultural event. For your Project, create a Photo Gallery on Spanish Culture and share it in a conversation.
WEEK 3: Delve into Seville in this week’s Discovery Theme. For your Project, create and present a Neighborhood Tour in Seville. Describe the city and what happens there. Role play scenes in a market and restaurant. Report on Seville’s past and future.
WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer during the Personal Growth Theme. Tell what happened in memorable moments and how you felt about it. Make cultural comparisons and persuade a friend to study abroad. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.
Each week, you’ll explore a Theme and create a Project. Each day, you’ll advance your Spanish—through activities and discussions in class and through conversations with locals in the community and at your homestay.
WEEK 1: Settle in and meet your classmates during the Cultural Encounters Theme. Tell what happened on a first encounter abroad. Summarize past and current events in Seville. Express your opinions as you compare cultural norms and stereotypes. For your Project, create and present a Field Report on Seville.
WEEK 2: Explore Spanish culture in this week’s Creativity Theme. Describe street art and profile artists, express opinions on magazines and movies, and compare musical performances. For your Project, create an Arts & Culture Magazine and share it in a conversation.
WEEK 3: Continue advancing your Spanish as you delve into the Discovery Theme. For your Project, create and present an Awareness Campaign about a global threat. Give information on its causes and effects, explain solutions, and persuade others in debates, justifying your arguments.
WEEK 4: Consider the impact of your summer in this week’s Personal Growth Theme. Conduct a class survey on experiences in Spain and make cultural comparisons. Tell an original story about a memorable moment and speculate on what’s next for you. For your Project, create a Study Abroad Album and share it in a panel discussion.
Weekly Learning Goals
Sample Activities
Just Imagine All the Fun You’ll Have!
- Walk the narrow callejuelas of the labyrinth-like Barrio de Santa Cruz, the former Jewish quarter of medieval Seville, rich in tales of duels, honor, love, and betrayal, and bursting with colorful gardens.
- Learn the art of cooking paella and tortilla española from local chefs and the art of painting colorful tiles from potters in Triana, one of the oldest and most charming and lively neighborhoods in Seville.
- Travel to Granada to tour the enchanting Alhambra palace and fortress, an architectural masterpiece and the best-preserved monument of the Islamic period in Spain.
- Get moving! Kayak along the Guadalquivir River and step inside a local dance studio to try your feet at sevillanas, a form of flamenco dance.
- Climb to the top of La Giralda, Seville's famous tower, and get a bird's eye view of the Gothic Cathedral. Wander through the Cathedral and marvel at its estimated 88,000 pounds of gold.
- Venture to Cádiz, an ancient port city. Soak up the seaside vibes, shop at outdoor markets, marvel at the ruins of a Roman theater, and hit the beaches for fun in the sun.
Please note activities are based on past programs and subject to change at CIEE's discretion to adapt to local circumstances and participant feedback. Our goal when arranging activities is always to enhance your experience.
A Memorable Visit to the Cathedral of Seville
On Thursday, July 25th, our group of students had the incredible opportunity to visit the magnificent Cathedral of Seville. It was a day filled with awe and wonder as we... keep reading
Basket Weaving in the Parque María Luisa
Imagine a sunny afternoon spent with friends in the heart of Seville, surrounded by the lush beauty of Parque María Luisa, as you dive into the art of basket weaving... keep reading
Exploring the Charm of Cádiz
Our recent trip to Cádiz was an incredible blend of cultural immersion, relaxation, and music. We started our journey by boarding the bus to the tunes of "Cai" by Niña... keep reading
Eligibility
- Participants must be 14 years old and above.
- Program open to all current high school students—Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors—who have:
- Completed high school Spanish Level 2 or higher by the start of the program, and
- Attained a minimum ACTFL proficiency level of Intermediate-Low on the pre-program STAMP test that determines language proficiency.
Don’t meet the above criteria? See our other Spanish Language & Culture programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Palma, Seville, Buenos Aires, and Merida. Pick one as your second-choice program to increase your chances to travel to a Spanish-speaking country next summer. You will be asked to transfer to another program if your STAMP score is too low for the Honors program. Please sign up for the earliest possible STAMP test date. Information about the STAMP administration—including test dates—will be released in the spring.
For scholarship eligibility requirements, please check our Scholarship page.
For more information, refer to the detailed Program Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Dates & Fees
Application Fee
$25
Optional College Credit Fee
$150
Learn more about how to get college credit for your future college degree.
Program scholarships and tuition include iNext Travel Insurance, but do not cover the cost of flights. Find additional details about what’s included with your tuition.
More questions? Find answers, get application support, sign up for virtual presentations or contact us!
Program |
Application Due |
Start Date |
End Date |
Costs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Summer Session I 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 | |
| Program Summer Session II 2025 4 weeks | Start Date | End Date | Costs $6,950 |
Ready to change your life?
What's Included
Interactive Classes
Housing
3 Meals/Day
(Dietary Needs Accommodated)
All Ground Transportation
(Once In-country)
Optional Flight Chaperone
(Flight Cost Not Included)
Pre-departure Advice and Orientation
Access to WIFI
(No international data plan or SIM card included)
All Cultural Activities and Excursions
Comprehensive Medical and Travel Protection
24/7 Emergency On-site Support
Our Staff
Salvador Parra
Center Director
Salvador has been working at CIEE since 2000 and is passionate about international exchange. He holds a degree in History and Geography from the University of Seville, and a Master of Business Administration.
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