Spanish Immersive Language course in Spain (summer, one month +)
***Visit UWI Inmersión en España on Facebook for photos, videos etc.***
Who: All UWI students or members of staff with an interest in learning Spanish and the culture of Spain.
With whom: Paula González Garcia, Foreign Language Assistant. Email: paula.gonzalez@cavehill.uwi.edu
Where: Santander, Cantabria, Spain, Las Llamas Campus of the Universidad Internacional Menéndez Pelayo (UIMP) (if necessary, select English in toolbar dropdown at top of page).
What: Click here to see the UIMP's description of the course. Accommodation may be homestay with a local family or in a hall of residence on campus.
What else: Santander is a small city with around 180,000 people, but like all Spanish cities, it has plenty going on, particularly as it is well connected with the rest of Europe through its status as a port - there's a ferry service to England - and the prestige of the UIMP. It has well-known beaches and many elegant urban spaces and notable public buildings. The locals are very accustomed to foreigners and proud of their friendly, cosmopolitan reputation. If you know some Spanish, try out Miplanhoy to get an idea of what's going on in and around the city.
When: July or August
Important deadlines:
- By the end of February, you will have to send the application form.
How much: Approximate total cost = BDS$9550 (c. US$4775). See draft budget below for breakdown. (The cost is set high to cover unexpected eventualities and avoid disappointment; actual participants so far have spent a total in the region of BDS$8000-$8500 all-inclusive).
Why: The UIMP has very extensive specialized experience offering Spanish language and culture courses and the Las Llamas campus has acquired considerable prestige by being exclusively devoted to this endeavour (when Cave Hill students travelled there in 2012, the Irish Head of State was also enrolled in one of the Language and Culture courses). It is very flexible in tailoring elements of the academic programme to the needs of individual institutions; Cantabria and Santander offer the charm and cultural richness of Spain, but at some remove from the heavy tourist concentrations of the Southern and Eastern coasts or the very big cities such as Barcelona or Madrid (though you may wish to arrange to visit these at the end of the programme at UIMP, if you can afford it.).
Note: As of May 28, 2015, citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Lucia, Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica are beneficiaries of a Schengen visa-free regime and thus do not require a visa for Spain or other countries in the Schengen area. Caribbean nationals do not generally require a visa for transit through the UK (you can check here). However, particularly as your return leg involves exiting the airport and overnighting in London (and therefore may be treated as a tourist rather than transit visit), you are advised to walk with the same documents as if you were applying for a visa: same documents. None of this implies exemption from travel restrictions related to Covid-19. All interested students must check with the relevant embassies and consulates to ensure that they will be able to travel to Spain.
Programme Director: Paula González
Draft Budget:
| Item | US$ | BD$ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight Barbados-London-Madrid-Santander-Madrid-Barbados; bus transfers in London | 1750 | 3500 | Approximate cost; if you sign up you will receive info. on the actual cost as soon as it is available. |
| Hotel (Overnight return trip) per person | 75 | 150 | Approximate cost; if you sign up you'll receive info. on the actual cost as soon as it is available. |
| Travel Insurance | 135 | 270 | You purchase this if you need it (some frequent travellers have all-year-round coverage). |
| Course of Study for one month | 632 | 1264 | Spanish Language and Culture, total 100 hours |
| Accommodation | 528 | 1056 | =28 days @ 27 Euros/day (single room in homestay; includes breakfast). For single room on campus, subtract BDS$420; for double room on campus, subtract BDS$1065 |
| Other Expenses | 500 | 1000 | |
| Total Cost BDS$ | 7500 |
* Costs subject to change; you will be advised of all relevant changes in due course after sign-up.
** If you wish, you can stay longer to get maximum return on your Atlantic crossing: add approx. BDS$1000 total per extra week of stay beyond the standard four (including additional week of Spanish tuition).
