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"I wanted to thank Spanish Studies for offering me an opportunity of a lifetime!" Laura Cohen
Susquehanna University |
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About Us
Spanish Studies Abroad has provided unique learning experiences in the historic city of Seville, Spain since 1969. Since then, we have grown to providing programs in Alicante and Barcelona Spain; Córdoba, Argentina; San Juan, Puerto Rico and Havana, Cuba.
We invite you to expand your world-view through immersion in these fascinating cities. With a strong dedication to academic integrity and an emphasis on your personal growth, Spanish Studies has developed a reputation for the superior quality and value of its study abroad programming.
Mission Statement:
The mission of Spanish Studies Abroad is to promote our students’ in-depth understanding of Spanish-speaking countries through specifically designed and academically rigorous university-level and cultural travel programs. All of our students cross cultural boundaries to live as members of another culture and thus to learn about others as they learn about themselves.
Diversity Statement:
Spanish Studies Abroad believes that a diverse student body enriches each individual experience by guiding students to learn about others as they learn about themselves. In accordance with our mission to encourage our students to cross cultural boundaries, Spanish Studies promotes equal opportunities within our programs and does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, physical ability, gender, sexual orientation, or other characteristics. We believe in educating students on cultural tolerance and sensitivity, acceptance of differences, inclusiveness, and how diversity is viewed in other cultures.
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Forum on Education Abroad
Recognized by the U.S. government as the Standards Development Organization for education abroad, the Forum’s "Standards of Good Practice" are recognized as the definitive means by which the quality of education abroad programs may be judged.
http://www.forumea.org
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NAFSA: Association of International Educators
NAFSA serves international educators and their institutions and organizations by setting standards of good practice, providing training and professional development opportunities, providing networking opportunities, and advocating for international education.
www.nafsa.org
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FEDELE: Spanish Federation of Associations of Spanish Schools for Foreigners
FEDELE member schools are dedicated to the full range of teaching Spanish language, cultural diversity, and history. FEDELE defines standards for quality in academics, as well as in additional services, such as installations, teaching staff, programs, lodging, reception, activities, insurance, etc.
www.fedele.org
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ACEIA: Association of Andalucian Language Schools
Institutional members represent language schools in Southern Spain and participate in a wide range of training activities and training events for management and program administrative staff.
www.aceia.es
CERTIFICATIONS OF ACADEMIC QUALITY
- Quality Improvement Program for Education Abroad “QUIP”
Spanish Studies Abroad is one of the first study abroad providers to have completed the Forum on Education Abroad’s QUIP Review. By undergoing this process, we have demonstrated our conformity with the Forum’s “Standards of Good Practice.” We maintain a commitment to offering high quality programs in education abroad and to continuous assessment and improvement.
- Accreditation through Instituto Cervantes
Instituto Cervantes, the Spanish government’s official accreditation board for formal instruction of the Spanish language and culture in Spain and abroad, accredited the Spanish Studies Center in Seville for its high quality of programming.
www.cervantes.es
- ISO: International Organization for Standardization
Spanish Studies Abroad has been certified according to the requirements of the standard ISO 9001: 2000 for the design and development of its Cross-Cultural Educational programs. ISO is the world’s largest developer of International Standards and is increasingly recognized as a leader of standardization for higher education internationally.
www.iso.org/iso/about/international_standardization_and_education.htm
- CONTINUED ASSESSMENT
In addition to regular student and self-evaluations, Spanish Studies incorporates the Global Perspectives Inventory into our curriculum, so that we may measure our students’ cultural growth and develop our curriculum accordingly. For more information on the Global Perspectives Inventory, visit: https://gpi.central.edu/index.cfm.
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History of Spanish Studies Abroad
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.
At Spanish Studies Abroad, we anchor our programs in academic excellence and cultural authenticity. Students benefit from our long tradition and openness to innovation, as you can see in the timeline below: |
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1960 |
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During a summer living in a small town in Mexico, Founders Gerald and Barbara Guidera discovered that the ordinary Mexican people around them had fundamentally different values, and that much was to be learned from them – and admired. This was the beginning of what was to become the goal of cross-cultural study. Read their story |
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1961-
1968 |
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Pursuing knowledge in another nexus of Hispanic culture, the Guideras lived and worked for seven years in southern Spain, until Gerald Guidera completed his degree of Doctor en Filosofía y Letras at Universidad de Sevilla. |
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1969 |
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The Guideras establish The Center for Cross-Cultural Study in Suffern, N.Y. and the first study abroad trip is made with a small group of students to Malaga, Spain. |
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1971 |
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In cooperation with Union College, the Guideras establish the first Spanish Studies semester program in Seville, Spain. Our Center is located on the Plaza San Francisco across from City Hall of Seville (created in 1529). The fundamental curriculum of Spanish Studies Spanish language and culture courses is developed. |
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1974 |
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Spanish Studies formally establishes a Board of Advisors, a council of academics from distinguished institutions of higher learning, as a resource for guiding and insuring the academic quality and integrity of Spanish Studies programming. |
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1984 |
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The Center moves into a beautiful historic mansion in the heart of Seville's social and commercial district 18 Calle Harinas, where it is still located today. |
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1989 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad begins offering two program tracks for students: Intensive Intermediate Program and Upper Division Program. |
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1992 |
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Attracted by our long-standing university programs, Elderhostel begins using Spanish Studies Abroad to organize educational cultural travel programs in southern Spain with Spanish Studies. |
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1993 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad requires students to take a 1-credit Current Events of Spain course, encouraging integration and engagement in the host culture. |
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1993 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad launches the Writing Across the Curriculum Program. All Spanish Studies courses incorperate a shared goal of developing students' critical thinking, reading, and writing skills. |
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1996 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad, in cooperation with Willamette University, works with Universidad de La Habana to offer programs in Havana, Cuba, offering semester, summer and winter programs. The new program inspires the cultivation of the Perspectivas Project, where students engage in the local culture through research and interviews on a topic of the student's choice. |
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2004 |
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U.S. Government policies enacted to force the suspension of academic programs in Havana, Cuba. |
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2005 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad cooperates with Universidad Blas Pascal to offer semester and short term programs in Córdoba, Argentina. Through the new program, Spanish Studies develops the Guided Direct Enrollment Model and the Intensive Language and Culture Period. |
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2006 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad adds the 1-credit Cultural Realities course to the curriculum in Seville, Spain, to further encourage cultural integration. |
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2007 |
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In cooperation with Universidad de Alicante, Spanish Studies offers Guided Direct Enrollment program in Alicante, Spain. Students benefit from the Intensive Language and Culture Period, as well as a 3-credit Social Realities course, which incorporates the Perspectivas Project developed in the Cuba program |
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2008 |
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All Spanish Studies Programs incorporate an Intensive Language and Culture Period and a Cross-Cultural Course to encourage maximum integration into the host culture. |
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2009 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad begins working in cooperation with Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, one of the oldest and most respected universities in the Americas, in the historical, social, and commercial center of Córdoba, Argentina. |
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2010 |
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Spanish Studies Abroad partners with Universidad de Sevilla to offer students guided direct enrollment in Seville. Experiential learning opportunities are made available at all program locations. |
2012
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Spanish Studies Abroad begins working with Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. UPF was founded in 1990. Courses can be taken in English, Spanish or Catalan. |
2013
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Back in the Caribbean! Spanish Studies Abroad begins working with University del Sagrado Corazón (USC) in Puerto Rico. April 2013: After 10 years, Spanish Studies Abroad acquires their license to return to Cuba. |
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Spain 
