Summer
2007 Study Abroad Program Madrid, Spain
May 29 to June 30, 2007
Purpose
The purpose of this program is to provide total immersion in the Spanish
language and in the culture of Spain. Held in cooperation with Eurocentres
Madrid, structured instruction comes alive because the whole community
serves as a giant classroom and language laboratory for students who take
advantage of the opportunities to practice and improve their knowledge
of the language by interacting with the Spanish people on the street,
on buses, in museums, theaters, shops and restaurants, and in their place
of residence.
Spain and Madrid
Spain, the second largest country in Western Europe, has been settled
for over 100,000 years. Among its early settlers were Phoenicians, Carthaginians,
Greeks, Celts and Romans. Spain became the most advanced province of the
Roman Empire. Later, the Visigoths ruled it for 300 years. Then it was
conquered by the Moors, who remained there for 800 years. All these civilizations
have contributed to the culture of Spain.
At 2,000 feet above sea level, Madrid, a city of five million, is the
highest capital in Europe. It was built when Spain was at the height of
its power and the city became the seat of an empire, which stretched around
the world.
The heart of Madrid is the Puerta del Sol, an oval plaza surrounded by
18th Century buildings. Not far is the Plaza Mayor, opening into the cobblestone
streets of old Madrid. Most of old Madrid was built in the 17th and 18th
centuries.
Beautiful parks, a royal palace, elegant boulevards, lively café
life, stylish shops and modern buildings of steel and glass contrast with
old Madrid.
Historic towns such as Toledo and Segovia are each about an hour from
Madrid. Toledo, founded by the Romans in AD 192, is a former capital.
El Greco lived here and many of his masterpieces can be seen in this interesting
town.
Segovia’s attractions include a famous Roman aqueduct, which soars
to a height of 96 feet and which carried water well into the 20th Century
as well as a fairy-tale castle with sweeping views of the countryside
and nearby mountains. Segovia is also known for its tasty cuisine.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to serious students, teachers, and others who have
a strong interest in immersing themselves in another culture.To be admitted
into the program, students should have proficiency in Spanish equivalent
to that of a student who has completed one year at the college level.
There will be a personal interview with the Director to determine the
applicant’s maturity and ability to adapt to a different environment.
The successful completion of the application process is required for admission
to the program. College students must also present evidence of a 2.75
GPA. If an applicant has special needs, the program will attempt to make
whatever reasonable accommodations are possible.
Language Classes
All students are required to enroll in a Spanish language class (4 semester
hours). Language classes will meet at Eurocentres Institute from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Classes will accommodate students at
Mid-level I, II and III and Advanced I, II and III. In the language classes,
conversation together with grammar is stressed in the small class settings.
Prior to the beginning of classes, all students will be tested and placed
at the appropriate level. Changes can be made if a student progresses
at a faster rate or shows different learning needs.
Culture and Civilization of Spain
All students are required to enroll in this class (3 semester hours).
The course of study covers the geography, history, political and social
institutions and the art and architecture of Spain. The first sessions
will be held prior to departure at College of DuPage on Friday, May 18,
2007, from 1 to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, May 19, 2007, from 9 a.m. to 6
p.m. In Spain, the course will continue with lectured field trips and
visits to museums and other places of cultural interest.
Field trips, theater and/or concert performances, visits to museums and
other places of interest are integral components of this class and therefore
attendance is required. A short written report on each visit is also required.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty members at Eurocentres will teach all language classes. The Director
of the program will teach the Culture and Civilization of Spain class
in Spanish.
Credits
Upon successful completion of classes, students will receive credit as
follows: Spanish 1840 (Mid-level or Advanced), 4 semester hours credit,
and Spanish 1820 (Cultura y Civilización de España), 3 semester
hours credit.
Students from other colleges are advised to clear all courses with their
home school before enrolling in the program if they wish to receive academic
credit.
Grades
Instructors at Eurocentres will assign the grade for the Spanish language
class. The Director will assign the Culture and Civilization class grade.
Grades will be submitted after return from Spain.
Eurocentres
The Eurocentres institutes operate in 10 countries. The first one was
established in 1960 under Swiss license. The mission of Eurocentres is
to promote understanding among peoples by helping students to overcome
linguistic, national, cultural and social barriers.
The school in Madrid is located in a residential area, close to shops,
cafes and restaurants and just fifteen minutes from downtown. It is served
by numerous bus and subway lines. The facilities of the school include
classrooms with audio-visual equipment, a media center with books, audio
and videotapes and computers, and a lounge area with machines for hot
and cold beverages. The school is air-conditioned and offers opportunities
to participate in extra-curricular activities on a daily basis.
Housing and Meals
Students will live in a Residence. Students in the Residence
come from Spain and many other countries. This arrangement encourages
the use of Spanish at all times.
Students will be provided with breakfast, lunch and supper. Board in
the Residence is good and food and water are safe throughout Spain. The
Residence
is
located about 20 minutes from the school by bus or Metro.
Activities, Field Trips and Excursions
Included in the cost of the program are a Madrid city tour, visits to
several museums, full-day excursions to Toledo and Segovia and a weekend
excursion to Granada in southern Spain. Eurocentres also offers an activity
each afternoon. Some are free, such as guided walks through Old Madrid
or a visit to the Retiro Park. Others, including visits to museums, cost
approximately $3 to $5, depending on the entrance fee. Still others,
such
as dinners or soccer games, are a bit more expensive.
Program Cost
The total fee will be approximately $3,850 plus tuition. Many types of
financial aid can be applied to study abroad. For information on aid available
to College of DuPage students, contact the Director, (630) 942-2174, the
International Education office, (630) 942-3078, or the Financial Aid office,
(630) 942-2304.
The program fee includes:
• Round trip airfare from Chicago
• Lodging in a Residence
• Breakfast, lunch and supper provided at the residence
• Application fee
• Full-time administrative staff
• Transfers to and from the airport in Madrid
• Admissions and excursions listed as included in the cost of the program
• Textbooks for the language classes at Eurocentres
Not included in the program fee:
• Tuition
• Passport fees (approximately $65)
• Visa fees (only if not a U.S. citizen)
• International Student Identification Card (approximately $25)
• Optional excursions
• Personal expenses
• Telephone calls
• Madrid monthly Metrobus pass
Optional excursions
Information will be provided on a variety of optional excursions that
are not included in the price of the program.
To apply for the program, you must complete
Steps 1, 2, and 3 IN ORDER.
Step 1: Fill out the Application Form and send it to:
Spain Program
Liberal Arts Division
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599
Step 2: Go to the Registration Office at College of DuPage
or call (630) 942-2377). Do not use the automated way of registering.
You must speak to a person. Ask to register for the Spain program. Give
the correct code below according to the date you are registering and please
make a note of this code, as you will need it later.
Fall Code# 18627
Spring Code# 38333
Step 3: After you have registered, pay your $100 deposit
through the Cashier’s office. This deposit is non-refundable unless
you are not accepted into the program. Do not send any payments to the
Director.
You may pay by check or credit card.
If you pay by check, make it payable to College of DuPage. On the check
write Spain Program, your Social Security number and if somebody else
will sign the check, include your name as well. Also, write on the check
the code number you used to register.
Mail or take the check directly to:
Cashier’s Office
College of DuPage
425 Fawell Blvd.
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599
You may also pay by Visa, MasterCard or Discover. Call the Cashier’s
office, (630) 941-3394, or go there in person.
APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEB. 1, 2007. Do not wait, however,
as space is limited and we may fill before the deadline.
Registration for classes is separate from registration for the program.
Information and code number to register for classes will be given to you
at a later date.
Remaining Payments
Make all payments directly to the Cashier’s Office following the
directions above. It is very important that your payments arrive on time
and that you pay exactly the correct amount each time.
First payment: Due March 1, 2007 ($1,250)
Second payment: Due April 1, 2007 ($1,250)
Third payment: Due May 1, 2007 ($1,250)
Late Payments
Participants who fall behind in their payments by more than one week will
be assessed $15 for each late payment.
Late Applicants
We welcome students beyond the application deadline if space is available.
However, additional charges may apply. Students enrolling late must pay
the application fee and the total amount due up to the date they apply.
Changes in Prices
The program fees are based on air and land rates in effect at the time
of writing (October 2006) and are subject to change without notice, due
to possible increases in the cost of air transportation or land arrangements,
devaluation of currencies or other reasons not under the control of College
of DuPage.
Withdrawals and Refund Policy
• Notification of withdrawal must be in writing.
• Claims for refunds must be in writing.
• The $100 application fee is non-refundable unless the applicant is not
accepted into the program.
• If
a participant’s withdrawal request is received more than 50
days prior to departure, he/she will receive a full refund, less $250.
• If
he/she withdrawals fewer than 50 days prior to departure, he/she will receive
a partial refund, but the amount withheld will be at least
$900 and may be considerably more.
• No refunds after 30 days prior to departure.
• Due to special contracts and conditions, no refunds will be given under
any circumstances for unused meals, accommodations, land transportation
or other activities once the trip has begun. Substitutions are not allowed.
• We recommend the purchase of Trip Cancellation Insurance. We can supply
you with information.
Other Information
International Student ID Card
All participants will be required to obtain an International Student ID
card. Basic emergency medical insurance is provided and occasionally bearers
are entitled to discounts. College of DuPage will provide application
forms, or call the International Education office at (630) 942-3079.
Transportation
Air transportation is provided by regularly scheduled and approved airlines.
No changes or deviations in itinerary/schedule are allowed. All participants
must travel together as a group to and from Spain, departing from and
returning to Chicago. Trip extensions are not allowed.
Tickets
The Director will have participants’ tickets.
Passport
Each participant must have a valid passport that does not expire for at
least six months form the anticipated return date to the U.S. Participants
are responsible for obtaining their own passports. To obtain a passport,
one can apply at the nearest central post office in your own town. Passports
must be applied for as soon as a participant is accepted into the program.
Visa
U.S. citizens do not need a visa to travel to Spain. Only participants
who are not U.S. citizens may need one. Be sure to let us know at the
time of application if you are not a U.S. citizen.
Immunizations
No special immunizations are required for travel to Spain. However, whether
traveling or staying at home, it is wise to have an up-to-date tetanus
inoculation (no more than 10 years before return to U.S.). Each participant
should check with her/his personal physician for additional confirmation
or suggestions regarding personal health needs.
Insurance
All participants in the program will have basic emergency medical insurance
through the required International Student ID Card. However, in case of
any major occurrence, this would not be sufficient. Therefore, all participants
are required to have additional medical insurance, which is valid outside
the United States and to show proof of such insurance.
Insurance can also be purchased to provide protection against cancellation
and lost or damaged baggage. We suggest cancellation insurance to cover
the cost of the program if you must cancel or interrupt your trip due
to illness or other reasons.
Flight insurance can also be purchased if desired. Information on insurance
will be provided at the time of the interview.
Photos
You will need at least three passport photos. Two must be submitted with
your application and another is necessary for the International Student
ID Card. In addition, if you do not already have a valid passport, you
will need two more photos for the passport.
Clothing
It is difficult to provide a complete list of precisely what to pack,
but a list to use as a guideline will be provided at a later date. You
do not need as much clothing as you might think. It is not wise to purchase
a new wardrobe because clothing gets harsh treatment when traveling. Be
sure you have comfortable walking shoes. Linens and towels will be provided
by the Residence.
Money Matters
We recommend at least $200 per week for spending money (lunches, incidentals,
museum visits, theaters, concerts, etc.) plus more if you plan to participate
in optional trips. Take about $25 in one-dollar bills. Take the rest
of
your money in travelers’ checks, NOT cash. Travelers’ checks
are the safest way to carry money when traveling. Their great advantage
is that they can be replaced if lost or stolen. The ones most readily
accepted in Spain are American Express Travelers’ Checks.
VISA and MasterCard are widely accepted in Spain. Each participant must
have a credit card (VISA or MasterCard) with his/her name on it in order
to cover medical emergencies, which must be paid for even with medical
insurance. However, do not take extra credit cards, such as cards for
local stores or oil company cards, as you will have no need for them.
There are automatic teller machines in Spain, which accept ATM cards.
Your PIN must have four digits or it will not work in Spain.
Mail, fax and e-mail
It takes a week or more for mail from the U.S. to reach Spain. It is very
important to remember this during the last two weeks. There are many places
in Madrid where you can receive and send faxes (for a fee). You can receive
and send e-mail from Eurocentres as well as Internet Cafes.
Phone Calls and Visits
International phone calls are always expensive. Too many phone calls
to or from home can hinder your making a successful adjustment and diminish
your total immersion in Spanish. They can interrupt your life in Spain
and make you homesick and unhappy. For these reasons, we advise family
and friends not to call unless there is an emergency. In case of emergency,
the Director of the program will contact the student’s family. The
Madrid phone number of the Director will be provided to families prior
to the group’s departure. Relatives and friends are strongly discouraged
from visiting. The interruption breaks the continuity of the adjustment
experience for the student.
Rules of Behavior
These rules have not been drawn up to restrict freedom, but to ensure
that the program is successful. The participants are subject at all times
to the guidance and authority of the Director who has the right to enforce
appropriate standards of conduct. The Director reserves the right to cancel
any participant at any time for any reason, which appear to the Director
to be valid in his/her sole judgment. The Director shall have the right
to withdraw a student from the program without refund or credit if his/her
conduct causes serious inconvenience for the rest of the group or for
any actions or conduct, which the Director considers to be incompatible
with the interest, harmony, comfort and welfare of others or the reputation
of the program. The use of illegal drugs and/or the excessive use of alcoholic
beverages are not allowed and are grounds for termination of participation
in the program. Each student will be required to indicate his/her compliance
with these rules by signing a separate Student Conduct Agreement. The
judgment of the Director will be final in all matters of discipline. Students
may not withdraw from classes without the consent of the Director.
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Sandra Anderson
Berg Instructional Center (IC), Room 2111E
(630) 942-2174
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