Open to Pitzer students only.
Program Title: Spanish Institute for Global Education (SIGE) and EUSA Centro Universitario
EUSA campus building
Location: Seville, Spain
Host Websites
SIGE
EUSA
Eligibility
Students must be in good standing at Pitzer College. EUSA requires a 2.5 or higher GPA on a 4.0 scale. Preference is given to juniors and first semester seniors but qualified sophomores are eligible if space is available.
It is possible to take a combination of courses taught in English and in Spanish. For the program in Spanish, students must have taken the equivalent of 4 college level Spanish courses and at least one 100-level Spanish literature or analysis course prior to participation.
Evelyn Cheung ’13
Preparation
At least one European area studies course is strongly recommended before departure. Other general preparation options include: Comparative Politics, Intercultural Communications, Introduction to International/ Intercultural Studies, Introduction to Sociocultural Anthropology
Application
Students must first apply through Pitzer’s Office of Study Abroad and International Programs. If accepted by Pitzer, students will then be asked to complete the SIGE and EUSA Centro Universitario applications.
Program Dates
Fall semester: End of August to mid-December (with early exams for regular university courses)
Spring semester: January to late May or early June (with early exams for regular university courses)
For students who wish to take a regular University courses who want to take their exam(s) early (to more closely match US academic or personal schedules) must speak with the professor(s) personally and receive their permission before signing up for the course(s).
Required Courses
Participants are required to take the Spanish Culture Orientation course and the Spanish Language Seminar at SIGE, 3 courses at the EUSA Centro Universitario worth 6-ECTS each and complete one independent study project. Students will take SIGE’s 48-hour orientation course during the first two weeks of the semester followed by SIGE’s semester-long Spanish language and culture seminar, the independent study project and courses taken at the EUSA Centro Universitario.
Real Alcazar “Reales Alcazares” gardens in Seville, Andalusia, Spain
Intensive Language
Students take the Spanish Language Seminar semester course at SIGE.
Independent Study
All students are required to complete one independent study project, which is worth 0.8 Pitzer credits.
Course Options
Students enroll directly in regular classes taught in English or Spanish or a combination of both.
For the program in Spanish, students must have taken the equivalent of 4 college level Spanish courses and at least one 100-level Spanish literature or analysis course prior to participation.
Students’ Spanish language skills are assessed via a Skype interview prior to acceptance by the program for placement in either English or Spanish courses.
Students have the option of taking courses in audiovisual communication, journalism, advertising, public relations, tourism, etc. Course descriptions and lists: EUSA Course Descriptions 2019-2020, EUSA Course List – Fall 2019 and EUSA Course List – Spring 2020
Fall 2017 students bicycling
Credit Possible
Students earn 0.5 Pitzer course credits for the orientation course, 0.8 credits for the language seminar at SIGE, 0.8 credits for the independent study project and 2.4 credits for all 3 university courses (0.8 credits per university course). (See above under Required Courses.) Therefore, students will earn 4.50 Pitzer credits for the entire program.
Housing and Board Options
Students are housed with host families and share most meals with their families.
Additional Notes
All students enroll in the Tandem (cultural buddy) program to facilitate cultural immersion.
Visa Process: Students should note that the Spanish visa process is extensive and typically takes 90 days to complete. Once students receive instructions and needed documents, they should begin the visa process ASAP. To apply for the visa students must complete the application, gather needed documents, make an online appointment and appear in person at their local Spanish consulate. Some students may need to travel to get to a consulate. To get an idea of what to expect for the visa appointment, please visit: Los Angeles Consulate website.
