The CENTER for CROSS~CULTURAL STUDY
Spain~Argentina~Cuba
Celebrating 40 Years of Excellence in Spanish Studies

Cave Diving in Alicante
by Alexander Mc Allister,
College of Saint Rose,
2008 CC-CS Fall Semester in Alicante, Spain

The thing I miss most about Alicante is the cave diving I did a little south of the city in Cartagena. For 2 months, I learned how to cave dive under one of the strictest, most German, instructors I've ever met.  The training is intense and extremely rigid, but teaches you to react under extreme levels of stress and perfect your diving.  To me, this class has transformed diving from a sport into an art.  I've dove with some of the most experienced and talented divers I've ever met in my life, and it has really pushed me to improve.

I realized how much Spain has taught me while conducting one of the hardest parts of my training.  I'd been doing most of my training in the cave, Cueva Del Agua. It's an intricate cave system with anything from large tunnels, to tiny restrictions only three feet tall.  One of the most challenging exercises I had to accomplish took place in a tiny little infamous side tunnel.  The tunnel is about the size of a person fully geared up (meaning the size of a person with two steel tanks on his back, lights, reals, etc...).  there are also restrictions in this tunnel that are actually smaller, requiring you to literally get stuck, then slowly and methodically wiggle your way through.

On this day, I had to successfully swim through this "pipe" in complete darkness, absolutely pitch black.  It was a combination of a light failure exercise and stress management techniques, and it was incredible. After completing a half hour penetration of one of the parts of the cave and practicing some other skills, my instructor signaled for me to ok (get a hold of) the cave line (nylon line that is placed throughout the cave system that is your lifeline back to the surface), turn off my primary light, and start the push through the small tunnel.

In the blink of an eye I was surrounded by complete darkness.  I could only hear myself breathing through the regulator and feel the thin cave line in my hand.  My instructor established touch contact with me (when the diver behind you grabs under your armpit so you two stay together) and I started in.  This was one of the most challenging things I've ever done. 

You really have no clue where you are going or what is in front of you, you just have to trust that the cave line is going to bring you back to the surface.

The trek through the tunnel was small portions of finning followed by crawling.  In situations like this, one hand is always on the line while the other is protecting your head and giving you warning where there are obstacles.  We were about three quarters through when we hit the tightest restriction, where you are literally trapped until you can wiggle out.  At that moment, I felt surprisingly calm being stuck in an underwater cave far from the surface.  Just listening to my rhythmic breathing and feeling the cave line in my hand gave me this sense of peace—that I was alive and breathing and all was going to be alright as long as I kept my hand on the line and slowly worked my way out of the restriction.  It made me think of my travel in Spain.  Looking back, there were a lot of instances when I felt sort of trapped in Spain, whether it be cultural or language barriers, homesickness, etc..  But I just had to put things in perspective, relax, and just keep pushing on, and everything worked out well for me, just like it did for me in the cave that day.

CC-CS Turns 40!
We have come a long way since 1969 but our mission is the same and as strong as ever: to promote an in-depth understanding of Spanish-speaking countries through specifically designed and academically rigorous university-level and cultural travel programs. 
A Brief History of CC-CS Programming

Integrated Studies with Spanish Students at Universidad de Sevilla (Seville, Spain)
This new Seville program option for qualified students offers guided direct enrollment at Universidad de Sevilla. Students benefit from

• selected content courses at Universidad de Sevilla, alongside Spanish students

• support through the integration process through specifically-designed CC-CS intensive language and cross-cultural courses

• homestays, study trips, cultural activities, and access to university facilities

• support and guidance from the CC-CS staff and Resident Director

www.cccs.com/SevilleIntegrated

Intensive Intermediate Program
in Alicante, Spain
The Intermediate Program has moved from Seville to our newest program location in Alicante, Spain. Taking advantage of the excellent language resources offered at Universidad de Alicante, we have expanded the Alicante Spanish Language & Culture Program to include intermediate-level students. Intermediate students take courses alongside other international students at the university and benefit from:

• language-focused curriculum, specifically-designed for international students

• support and guidance from CC-CS Resident Director

• homestays, study trips, and cultural activities

• full student access to the university, including computer labs, library, and sports facilities

This change will help to reinforce the Spanish Only Policy in both program locations. In Seville, all students have a higher proficiency in Spanish facilitating more communication in Spanish between students. In Alicante, the importance of speaking Spanish is underscored by its being the common language in a classroom of international students.
www.cccs.com/IntermediateProgram.

International Business Program (Alicante, Spain)
The Alicante Program now offers CC-CS students the opportunity to take business courses alongside over 200 international business students, through the School of Economics and Business at Universidad de Alicante. CC-CS students benefit from:

• a wide variety of business courses, taught in English

• initial language and CC-CS-designed culture courses, which prepare the student for living in Spain

• support and guidance from CC-CS Resident Director

• homestays, study trips, and cultural activities

• full student access to the university, including computer labs, library, and sports facilities

www.cccs.com/InternationalBusiness

CC-CS in Partnership with
Universidad Nacional
de Córdoba (UNC)
This spring, CC-CS begins its first semester of working with UNC, one of the oldest and most respected universities in the Americas. Students now live and take classes in Córdoba's historic and social center, and have a greater variety of classes available to them. CC-CS at UNC

"Living the Culture" in Alicante
In addition to the core academic courses offered in the Alicante program, CC-CS students now have the opportunity to take "Living the Culture" courses in the humanities, performing arts, and physical education. These courses can carry up to 3 credits and include Flamenco guitar, dance courses, theater, windsurfing, SCUBA diving instruction, and many more. Students may also participate in non-credit bearing activities such as joining an athletic team at Universidad de Alicante or participating in cooking classes. Non-credit activities are at an additional cost to the student. 

Seville Semester Program, Highlighted Courses:
See all Seville Semester Courses

• Film Projects in
  Seville, Spain
  This past year, students who have taken courses with Dr. Diego Ross have had the unique opportunity to explore and create film. Students use camcorders and/or digital cameras to plan and film, in teams or individually, an audiovisual "narrative" of three to five minutes in duration. Several participating students have posted there projects online via YouTube.
  Click here to view videos.

• Service Learning Projects
  The Seville Semester Program now offers credit-bearing Service Learning Projects. Similar to an internship, students earn credit for volunteering at a variety of organizations that deal with everything from civic organizing and homelessness to disability and education. Students keep a journal, and complete a final project. www.cccs.com/servicelearning

• 2009-2010 SPECIAL TOPICS:
  Environmental Issues in Andalucian National Parks: Case Studies in Parques Nacionales de Doñana and Cazorla “Special Topics” is a unique course in that the content changes each year. In the 2009-2010 academic year, the course will be ecology-related. Students will focus on the most pertinent environmental issues that affect the two largest national parks in Andalusia, as well the relationship between the global economy and the environment.

• Spanish for the Health Professional (SHP)
  After two successful summers, SHP is now offered in the Seville Semester Program.
  www.cccs.com/health 

• Managing Cultural Diversity (MCD)
  This course teaches leadership skills in managing multi-cultural groups, using Spain's diverse business environment as a model.
  www.cccs.com/business

• DELE Preparation
  Advanced Spanish language courses SPAN 403 and 405 now incorporate preparation for the DELE (Diploma de Español de Lengua Extranjera). This internationally respected exam certifies Spanish language competency.

Seville Summer Programs
CC-CS offers Summer Programs in Seville and Alicante (Spain) and Córdoba (Argentina). Courses are offered from elementary to advanced levels and cover a wide range of subjects. In addition to language and humanities courses, CC-CS offers career-specific courses for students and professionals, including:

• Culture in the Classroom: Seminar for current teachers of Spanish and education majors. Discount available to current teachers.

•  The Psychology of Learning a Second Language:
  Taught in English Students learn theory and practice of language learning from an esteemed Spanish educational scholar and psychologist. Students are encouraged to follow this course with the Practicum in Education.

•  Practicum in Education: Internship for education majors. Work as Teacher's Assistants in Spanish day care. Separate application required.

•  Spanish for the Health Professional: Gain linguistic and cultural competency within a medical context at intermediate and advanced levels. The course includes an additional cultural excursion to a local Spanish hospital, which allows students to observe the day-to-day interactions and dialogue in a medical environment. See Photo Album 

• Managing Cultural Diversity: 
  Taught in English. Learn how to recognize, understand and manage cultural diversity, using Spain's complex business structures as a model

• Language and the Practice of Business Spanish: Develop Spanish language and grammar skills, specifically for use in business

Tutoring Opportunities in Spain
Students in the Alicante and Seville programs may tutor young Spanish students who are learning English. This is a great opportunity to both teach about American culture and learn about Spanish culture from a new perspective. 

Students in Seville watch the Inauguration
This past February, students across the globe watched the U.S. Presidential Inauguration of Barack Obama. Diario de Sevilla, a local Sevilliano new source reported on American students and the inauguration, and included a short video clip of the day, including students from the CC-CS Center in Seville watching the event.  

Optional Leisure Activities (OLA)
CC-CS will continue to offer students optional activities and trips to various locations around Spain. In the past, trips have included Portugal, Morocco, and the beach. These are designed to offer students opportunities to learn while traveling and having fun. For details, visit OLA. 

Family Week in Seville
Each semester, CC-CS offers the families and friends of Seville Semester students the opportunity to sample their student's experience through the Family Week Program.

Ambassador Program
Are you an CC-CS alum? Would you like to help guide other students to study abroad with CC-CS? Check out the Student Ambassador Program. 

Culture Pages Available Online
See tips on dealing with culture shock, reverse culture shock, living with a host family, etc: www.cccs.com/culturalresources   


Diversity and Merit Scholarships
CC-CS now offers two scholarship options. Accepted students may apply to either the Merit-Based Scholarship or the Diversity Scholarship, designed for students traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. Since 2001, over $100,000 has been awarded to students enrolled in our programs. www.cccs.com/scholarships. 

CC-CS has Joined Facebook
If you have a Facebook account, you can access the official CC-CS Group Account. You can use this group to connect with CC-CS alumni and to keep updated on news from CC-CS. 

Publish Your CC-CS Story!
To submit your essay, pictures, or updates, please email admin[at]cccs.com, attn: Vanessa Megaw.

Pasantía
By Taryn Brandeberry, Linfield College
2008 CC-CS Fall Semester in Córdoba, Argentina
During her semester program, Taryn Brandeberry completed an insternship in Córdoba, Argentina. Here, she recounts in Spanish how the internship enhanced her study abroad experience, followed by an English translation.

Honestamente, me encantó mi experiencia de trabajar en un puesto de Marketing para la Galería “Nuevo Pasaje Muñoz” en Córdoba, Argentina. Las relaciones de negocios internacionales es algo que siempre me ha fascinado y tener la oportunidad de experimentarlo en carne propia fue una experiencia única.

La empresa quedaba justo en el pleno centro de la cuidad, mientras que mi casa y mi universidad quedaban en las afueras. Por eso, aprendí a llegar al centro y ubicarme en sus calles. Sin esta pasantía no me hubiera sentido tan cómoda en la ciudad ni hubiera encontrado tantas cosas divertidas y culturales que ofrece Córdoba.

Asimismo, en esta pasantía tuve que empujar mis fronteras hablando diariamente con personas que son nativos en la lengua. Mi jefe y mis compañeros del trabajo siempre me trataban como parte del equipo escuchando mis opiniones e ideas. También, al hacer la pasantía tuve la oportunidad de aprender un vocabulario completamente distinto a lo que he aprendido de mis profesores en la universidad. De este modo, aprendí el vocabulario técnico en el campo de negocios que esperaba aprender.

Personalmente, me sorprendió ver las diferencias de como se maneja un negocio que está en un país en vía de desarrollo como Argentina y uno que ya esta en un país desarrollado como los Estados Unidos. Aprendí que económicamente hay numerosos desafíos cuando la economía del país no es estable. Por ejemplo, el flujo de los clientes externos quienes están comprando depende directamente del estado de la economía.

Esta experiencia es algo que nunca olvidaré porque me dio un punto de vista de otra cultura que me servirá en mi campo de negocios en el futuro.

                                           ..........
I honestly loved my experience working in the Marketing department for the shopping mall “Nuevo Pasaje Muñoz” in Córdoba, Argentina. I’ve always been fascinated by international business relations, and it was a unique experience to have a first-hand opportunity to work in the field.

The company was located right in the center of the city, while my home and my university were further outside. Because of this, I learned how to travel to and move around within the city. Without this internship, I would not have felt as comfortable in the city and would not have encountered so many of the fun and cultural things it has to offer.

In this internship, I had to push myself to speak daily (in Spanish) with people who were native Spanish speakers. My boss and my co-workers always treated me like a part of the team and listened to my opinions and ideas. I also had the opportunity to learn vocabulary completely distinct from that which I learned from my professors at the university. In this way, I learned the technical business vocabulary that I was hoping to learn.

I was surprised to see the differences between the way business is managed in a developing country like Argentina and in an already developed country like the United States. I learned that there are numerous economic challenges when the economy is not stable. For example, flow of clients who are buying is directly dependent on the state of the economy.

The experience was something that I will never forget because it gave me the point of view of another culture which will benefit my career in business in the future.

Live the Life...

Mi Sevilla
by Cynthia Drake, Central Michigan University
2004 CC-CS Summer Program in Seville, Spain
In this piece, Cynthia Drake discusses both the difficulties and rewards of learning a language abroad. Excerpts from this article first appeared in CMU's alumni magazine Centralight, where she worked as assistant editor.

~I’m writing from my room in Seville. It’s 5p.m. and sweltering. I can hear the traffic outside mingling with bird chirps. My room is modest, but comfortable: purple walls, bunk beds, wispy curtains, a framed picture of Jesus over my pillow.

At night when I’m lying on my bunk bed trying not to move very much in order to minimize the sweating, I forget that I’m here in this different life I’ve wandered into for the month of July. I forget that my husband is living out our normal life in Mount Pleasant without me. Taking our dog for a walk. Eating pizza. Speaking English.

And then the little accordion band leans into a tune for the happy people clinking glasses in the outdoor bar underneath my window. Children are running in the alleyway. Their parents are laughing at jokes I don’t understand. This means I’m an entire ocean away from home, and my heart beats strangely.~

~Seville is full of places to explore. There are little shops all over the place. You can get the best ice cream ever for a Euro. There are meat shops and coffee shops and seafood shops and more shoe shops than I’ve ever seen. Shops to buy Spanish fans and tapas and thongs that say “Sevilla.” If you walk anywhere, you can see buildings older than America in amazing condition, just sparkling in the sunshine.

The mercado is amazing to me. I’m enchanted by the smells of fish and meat as I walk by. Inside there are fish of every kind waiting to be chopped up for a customer. Octopus legs dangle over the countertop. Sides of beef and huge shanks hang everywhere. There is blood and carnage in the grocery store. There are no cleanly wrapped cutlets in cellophane. No one is polite.

These are my daily linguistic challenges, which force me to talk to people in order to get what I need.

I have a host mother, a señora, who has three daughters, two of whom live with us, and a granddaughter named Mónica. I live in an apartment of women always coming and going, where two daughters smoke cigarettes after every meal, and my señora cross-stitches a design for a newborn niece while watching talk shows and providing running commentary.

Some nights one of the daughters, Sandra, comes in late with her aunts, giddy from a night on the town. Sandra lights a cigarette and excitedly relays the events of the night to her mother and me, while we laugh at her stories. “Hombre!” Sandra says, “Qué calor!” (“How hot!”) like everywhere, weather is a popular subject in Spain.

When our language fails us, my señora’s motherly instincts inform her that I’m tired of eating fish (even though this seems absurd to her) or that I’m lonely, or that I’m not going to love watching my first bullfight. When someone asks me something and I can’t understand the question, María Dolores fills in my answer as best she can.

It is frustrating, at times, to learn a language in a foreign country. The only way to do it properly is to get over your insecurities and start talking.

In the beginning, I’m so nervous I forget people’s names, I use the wrong verb forms, and sometimes my brain checks out and I feel like I don’t understand or speak the simplest of phrases. But something keeps telling me to do it—humble myself, say, “No lo comprendo,” over and over, and smile sheepishly. And I’m ashamed to say that sometimes I can’t even bring myself to say, “I don’t understand,” so I just say, “Sí,” to everything. This has led to some unfortunate misunderstandings.

But today my host mother called me “hija,” the Spanish word for daughter. I think this one word was worth the entire trip.

One of the best conversations I’ve had with her was one in which the words we said didn’t matter. We had just finished watching the movie, “Mona Lisa Smile”—in Spanish, of course—and we started cautiously approaching the subject of women’s roles in society. We were bullfighters gingerly stepping circles around the bull.

Suddenly, we couldn’t say enough to each other. We plunged through topics like pay differentials, housework, childrearing, marriage, and divorce rates, driven only by our mutual curiosity about each other and about our motherlands.

It didn’t matter how we said what we said. Our words came fast and furious. I think I spoke faster in Spanish that day than I ever have. We found a common ground, this 60-year-old Spanish woman and her quiet, 24-year-old American houseguest. In moments like this Spain is not so foreign. It could even be home, with the added bonus of napping every day.~

~When it comes to study abroad, I was a late bloomer. I was one of those people who fell in love with the idea, but never put it into motion. I watched many brave friends pack their bags in college to explore the world, while I stayed home to receive their postcards. This is why this trip will exist in my memory as a promise that I kept to myself.~

ARGENTINA
Summer 2009: May 1
Fall 2009: May 1
 Academic Year 2009-2010: May 1
Spring 2010: November 15
Calendar Academic Year: November 15

APPLY ONLINE!  

Thank you alumni!

CC-CS Newsletter Edited by:
Vanessa Megaw, Marketing Coordinator
February 2009