Study Abroad in Salamanca: Academics
This program is open to students in good standing (2.5 minimum GPA). No previous Spanish study is required for the elementary program in the fall. For all other students, two years of high school Spanish or one year of college Spanish is required. Students who took Spanish in high school must send a copy of their high school transcript to AIFS for review. Superior level requires excellent command of the language. Placement in orientation levels will be determined by a language test.
AIFS students at the University can participate in all aspects of University life. Courses at all levels are given by University professors in Spanish unless otherwise indicated. During the fall semester, elementary students study in the Cursos Internacionales department of the University, which offers courses at beginning levels. Students at the intermediate and advanced levels take courses in the Spanish Language and Civilization program prepared especially for AIFS students by the faculty of Arts and Letters. Spanish students and other foreign students do not attend these classes. Superior level students can take many courses offered at the University with Spanish students.
Students not in the superior level may enroll in a regular University course or two with the approval of the academic advisor based on language ability and space availability.
Please note, however, that spring semester students enrolled in regular University courses are required by the University to stay until the end of May to take their final exams.
View the course descriptions for more information.
Orientation in Salamanca
Proper orientation is vital to the success of even the most carefully prepared foreign study course. AIFS students spend two weeks at a language and cultural orientation at the University of Salamanca. During fall orientation, students enjoy ferias in Salamanca for two weeks in September. Activities include bullfights, folk dancing, theater, concerts and parades. Students live in Spanish homes during the orientation, as they do throughout the semester. A placement test determines the language level students will study during orientation. Language levels at orientation are: Intensive Elementary Spanish 102, Intensive Intermediate Spanish 202, Intensive Advanced Spanish 302 and Intensive Superior Spanish 402.
Students receive four semester credits for this language and civilization course of 60 hours. It consists each day of four hours of language and conversation, as well as one hour of introductory lectures to Spanish Culture and one hour of “immersion”—where students will learn the most practical aspects of how to adjust to life in Spain.
View the orientation course descriptions.
Assessment/transcripts
All students take exams at the end of each semester. Students receive a transcript from the University of Salamanca with courses taken, hours and grades received.
Classes meet approximately 10 weeks during the fall; 15 during the spring. There is no exam week. One class hour is 50 minutes. Most courses meet 45 contact hours. Fall semester, courses meet more hours per week so students have the same total number of hours and credits per course as spring semester students.
Course load
Between 10 and 15 credits plus orientation (4 credits) is recommended.
| Elementary | Orientation | 4 |
| Spanish grammar (required) | 6 | |
| Three electives (maximum) | 9 | |
| Total | 19 credits | |
| Intermediate, advanced and superior |
Orientation | 4 |
| Five electives (maximum) | 15 | |
| Total | 19 credits | |
| Superior level concentrations | Orientation | 4 |
| Advanced or Superior Spanish Grammar (required) | 4 | |
| Three electives (maximum) | 9 or 10 (depending on course selection) | |
| Total | 18 credits | |
| Honors Program | Orientation |
4 |
| Independent study with tutor (required) | 3 | |
| Three electives (maximum) | 9 or 10 (depending on course selection) | |
| Total | 17 credits | |
Optional independent study
Full year students may take an optional independent study in January 2008 at the University. Since fall semester ends in December 2007, and spring semester begins at the end of January 2008, full year students may want to take this opportunity to gain extra credits and to have their housing and meals provided for them. The supplemental cost of $850 covers family accommodations for January, three meals a day and the cost of faculty supervision of the independent study.
Students must choose a topic related to one of the AIFS courses listed in the catalog such as Spanish History, art, literature, economics or language. They must write a 20-page paper to be supervised and graded by the same professor who teaches the course related to their topic. Students are expected to spend at least 45 hours on this project, which will be recorded on their transcript and recommended for three academic credits.
Student advising
AIFS has sponsored an academic year program in Salamanca since 1968 and has a close relationship with the University. The AIFS academic advisor is responsible for curriculum issues and assists students with academic counseling, exams, credit transfer and other academic matters.
