Introduction
Santiago de Compostela is a small, wonderful city in the northwest of Spain, combining a rich historical heritage with a lively university life. Santiago is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the final destination of the legendary medieval Camino de Santiago. As a medieval center of cultural, artistic, and commercial exchange, Santiago has preserved for centuries its rich legacy in its churches and architecture, in its streets and squares, and even in its lifestyle. You will enjoy Santiago’s open-air markets, outdoor cafes and restaurants, beautiful parks, and the famous university campus.

Dates: June 13-July 15, 2012 (tentative)

Program Cost: $4,500

Additional Expenses: Airfare (estimated at $1,200, passport ($125), books ($100), insurance ($70) and cell phone ($50).  Miscellaneous spending in Spain should average about $1,000.

For more information about expenses click here.

Lodging: Homestays

Tentative Itinerary

The program begins with an introduction to Spain’s capital city, Madrid. While there, you will visit museums and historical landmarks and enjoy delicious food while adjusting to using Spanish and learning about local customs and traditions. After a few exhilarating days in Madrid, the group will travel to Santiago where you will move into your homestay and begin classes right away.

While in Santiago, a two-day excursion on the Camino de Santiago will give you an opportunity to explore the path that Christian pilgrims have taken since the eleventh century. You will admire the harmony of the Romanesque art and architecture, or simply have the pleasure of taking in the landscape. You will also have the chance to visit other important cities and landmarks in Galicia throughout your stay. These excursions and other cultural activities will be organized and guided by the university.

The faculty director will be in Santiago the first and last weeks of the program to support students as they settle into the program and prepare to return home. The excellent staff at the Universidad de Santiago will also provide support and assistance.

Course Offerings
You will have the opportunity to study at the University of Santiago with other students from around the world. Based on a placement test at the beginning of the program, you will be placed into either intermediate or advanced language courses. Courses incorporate hands-on language-learning techniques through workshops about life in Spain, taking place at various cultural settings. This approach enables students to function not only in the classroom but also in everyday life. More advanced students will take Spanish language instruction and seminars related to socio-economic and political life in Spain as well as in art, literature, and Galician folklore.

All courses will be taught at the Universidad de Santiago de Compostela. While the level and content of the courses will be determined by an initial placement exam, all students can expect four hours of class time each day for a total of twenty hours per week. Students will enroll in the following three courses while in Santiago, receiving a total of 7 credits upon successful completion of the program:

• SPA 207/307—Intermediate/Advanced Conversation (3 credits)
• SPA 302—Topics in Language and Culture (3 credits)
• SPA 300—Life and Study Abroad (1 credit)
Successful participation in the program also fulfills the Global Perspectives General Education Requirement.

Program Faculty
Director—Dr. Jonathan Wade, Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures
Instructors—Staff from the University of Santiago de Compostela

Application Deadline: February 1, 2012.

Want more information?
Contact Dr. Jonathan Wade
Dept. of Foreign Languages and Literatures
122 Martin Hall
(919) 760-8738
wadejon@meredith.edu

Meredith reserves the right to make changes in the program itinerary, schedule, cost, academic program, etc., as necessary.