Program Description

Since 2005, Spanish majors at EMU have the opportunity to spend an extended semester (January-May) in Cádiz, Spain. The new program fulfills the requirement to study in a major university in a Spanish speaking country. Students participate in an intensive language and culture program for the first six weeks and then enroll in regular courses of their choice at the University of Cádiz, earning 18-21 credit hours. Courses such as Civilization and Literatures of Spain are now offered only in Cádiz Each student is placed with a Spanish host family within walking distance from the university.

At no extra cost, the program allows students to explore the many wonders of the region, including Sevilla, Córdoba, Granada with its magnificent Alhambra, opening a window to experience first hand the rich mix of traditions that has shaped this area (Arab, Jewish, Catholic, Phoenician), while enjoying a slower pace centered around the table of a café or their family’s home.

In addition, students have the opportunity to volunteer with a local NGO or service organization, building friendships and learning to see the world through local peoples’ eyes. These organizations inlcude the Red Dos Orillas del Mediterráneo (seeking to keep the channels of communication between Andalucía and Morocco open); the Asociación Cardijn (supporting the disadvantaged sectors of society, especially young people from the working class and immigrants); Asociación Instituto de Estudios Sociales del Mediterráneo, África y Latinoamérica, IESMALÁ (promoting coexistence, territorial, economic and cultural cohesion, intercultural dialogue, justice and peace); environmental organizations or formal educational settings.

The world through one of our students’ eyes (volunteering in a refugee home in Ceuta):

“And then there is me. The americana. Thrown into the mix. I’m surrounded by people from places I have trouble finding on a map. I’m making friends with the kinds of people I never knew I was missing from my life. A Moroccan Muslim technician who lives across the hall from me. An Algerian who can’t stop rapping and has dreams of one day reaching the United States. A Spanish enfermera who wants me to teach her medical phrases in English. I feel extremely blessed to be a part of this family made up of so many different faces of humanity. Being here has changed how I think about immigration and has made me think a lot about borders, human trafficking, and what all humans are entitled to having.” Jenna, January 2006