The Language and Culture Program
This intensive language and culture program offers a 5½ week full immersion experience for students who wish to improve their Spanish language skills and be exposed to the rich cultural traditions of southern Spain. The program is designed for language students as well as Spanish language and minors.
Language students take two courses in Spanish: a language course and a culture course. Students who are majoring in Spanish and/or have an advanced level of language take two courses: a literature course and an advanced culture course.
Students are in classes four hours each day, Monday through Thursday, from 9:30 - 11:30 a.m., followed by a 30-minute break, and then again from 12 - 2 p.m. Classes are taught by University of Cadiz professors. There are five total weeks of class.
Language Classes
Students will be placed in a language class that is appropriate to their level, determined by the last Spanish course they took or by the placement exam when needed. There are two levels of language classes: Language I and Advanced Language II. The minimum language requirement to participate in the program is successful completion and mastery of Spanish 3. Students with an advanced level of Spanish can opt out of the language course to take a culture course and a literature course instead after discussing this option with the faculty leader.
Culture and Literature Courses
Students also take a culture course taught in Spanish. Students are placed in Culture I or Culture II, according to their language level.
- Culture I is an overview of the culture and civilization of Spain, with special emphasis on the region of Andalucía. As part of the course, students will visit local sites in Cadiz, where they will learn hands-on about the content taught in the course. This class fulfills the Humanities requirement and/or the culture option in Part II of the language requirement. It does not count as a language class.
- Culture II is an advanced seminar in Spanish Arts history. This course is for advanced students and Spanish majors. This class fulfills the Arts Distribution requirement. Prerequisite: Spanish 22. Composition and Conversation II, or consent of the faculty leader.
- Studies in Spanish Literature is a seminar for advanced students and those pursuing a Spanish major. This course traces the works of some principal authors of Andalucía with particular focus on the historic and cultural context. Students will read a variety of works, including poetry, ballads, and narratives as a gateway to understanding the cultural diversity of southern Spain. This class fulfills the Humanities requirement. Prerequisite: one course above Spanish 22. Composition and Conversation II, or consent of the faculty leader.
Extracurricular Activities and Volunteer Work
The program offers an array of activities, workshops, tours, and trips, as well as many options for volunteer work. The program sponsors weekend visits to Seville and Granada that complement and enhance the topics studied in the lecture courses. The architecture and history of Seville, as well as García Lorca’s house and the Alhambra in Granada, and the Mezquita de Cordoba, that we visit on our way from Madrid to Cadiz are tied directly to the readings in the literature and culture classes. The program also includes a workshop in regional cooking, a flamenco workshop, guided tours in and around Cadiz, and trips to archeological sites, sand dunes, and pueblos blancos.
The program also facilitates volunteering in the local community. Students can be placed in schools to work with children and adolescents under the supervision of a head teacher or work with older people in clubs that offer activities for the elderly. There are also opportunities to work in hospitals, shelters, churches, and other organizations that help young mothers, disabled children, hearing-impaired individuals, immigrants, and others.
Apart from these program-sponsored activities, other activities available for students to do in their free time in Cadiz include kayaking and surfing lessons.
Homestay
Students will live with a Spanish family. To enhance the students’ exposure to the local culture and traditions, they are placed with families that have been selected by the University of Cadiz. The homestay includes all meals and the families often include students in family activities and outings.
Tutorials/Peer Contact
The University of Cadiz offers the possibility of pairing foreign students with Spanish university students who will serve as peer tutors. Students may want to contact their tutors with any questions they may have before departure. Once in Cadiz, the tutors facilitate the student’s integration to the gaditana culture and the social life of young people in the city.
About Cadiz
Cadiz is a port city situated on the southwestern coast of Spain. This small and safe historic city has a population of 120,000 inhabitants, which makes it an ideal size for students to move with ease and economy of time. The lack of crowds of summer tourists, the mild temperatures in the summer, the beaches, and easy access to different parts of Spain and Europe provide an auspicious backdrop for a summer program. The climate is ideal for the summer, approximately 80° F with refreshing sea breezes.
Cadiz is one of the oldest cities in Western Europe, with a 3,000-year-old Phoenician heritage. It has a rich history that dates back to its foundation by the Phoenicians in 1100 BCE, and has been inhabited by Greeks, Romans, and Arabs who left their imprint in the city, rendering it a living relic of history. During the Age of Exploration, its port was one of the main connections to the New World. The history, culture, and traditions of Cadiz will guarantee a rich immersion experience for students. For more information, please feel free to review online literature.
Financial Aid
Tufts University students who are registering for the a Summer Abroad Program are eligible to apply for a Global Education Scholarship.
There are a limited number of scholarships available and are awarded based upon financial need. Priority will be given to students with a family contribution under $7,000. Scholarships are available only to current Tufts University students (international students may apply but must contact kevin.paquette@tufts.edu).
To be considered, students must submit a Global Education Scholarship Applicationto Student Services before January 17, 2020. Recipients will be notified of scholarship awards before the program deposit deadlines.
Federal aid may also be available to students attending a summer program. Eligibility will be determined by the Financial Aid Office based on the student’s 2019-20 financial aid application and award. Federal aid may include Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized/Unsubsidized) and/or Pell grants.
For additional questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 617-627-2000.
