Location:

Valencia, Spain

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Academic Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

*Due to the global health status worldwide, USAC is making programmatic changes to Summer & Fall 2020 and yearlong 2020/21 programs, and some options might not be available. These changes are posted on individual program pages on the USAC website.* 

Located on Spain’s southeast coast, Valencia is a Mediterranean city in all aspects. Locals embrace outdoor living and recreation by taking advantage of the area’s temperate climate (average temperatures range between 48-77°F). Popular activities include strolling on one of the city’s seaside promenades (the longest of which stretches 7 km, or over 4 miles), swimming at beaches that have received the highest environmental awards, or using ‘pedal-power’ to visit Valencia’s key cultural and historic sites—Valencia has been recognized as a bike-friendly city by the Cities by Bike Network, and has over 120 km (75 miles) of bike lanes and garden causeways that allow you to explore the city at your leisure. Valencia is home to a multitude of museums and cultural center, but this port city is perhaps best well-known for its innovative City of Arts and Sciences, a “unique complex dedicated to scientific and cultural dissemination”. This complex comprises 5 main elements: an interactive science center (Principe Felipe Science Musuem), l’Oceanografico (Europe’s largest aquarium), a performing arts venue focusing on opera (the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia), an IMAX theater and planetarium (the Hemisferic), and a large outdoor exhibition zone (the Umbracle). The city hosts festivals throughout the year, but students studying abroad in the spring will have the unique opportunity to experience Las Fallas, a two-week long regional festival that combines historic, religious, and comedic processions and events and culminates with pyrotechnic displays. Ninots, large and often satirical puppets, are created during the year and displayed during giant parades. One ninot is voted as the favorite and spared; the others are destroyed in large bonfires accompanied by impressive firework displays that light up the night sky and make this festival one that many people travel across the globe to attend.

USAC offers intensive language courses grouped into tracks as well as elective courses taught in Spanish. The track courses are taught sequentially (back to back) within one semester. If you have already taken the first course in the track, you do not have to take it again for credit, but you must audit it. If you wish to only take part of the language track, you may request this on the Course and Tour Registration Form. Language course sections are kept to a maximum enrollment of 15 students each. You will receive a US transcript for any Spanish Language or Culture, Language, and Literature elective courses taken as part of this program.

The Valencia program has a Resident Director who is responsible for the USAC office abroad and overall operations of the program: securing appropriate student housing, hiring outstanding faculty, organizing exciting field trips and optional tours, and overseeing your general well-being. Sara Elso, a Spain native, is the Resident Director for the Valencia program and has worked with USAC since 1997. She did her graduate work at the Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Unibertsitatea and is fluent in French, Spanish, Basque, and English. The USAC staff will meet the group flight at the airport and provide the mandatory on-site orientation, as well as additional resources and support while you are on the program.

Setting Description:

USAC classes are located at the La Universidad Politècnica de València (Polytechnic University of Valencia), a prestigious public university that prepares students to apply their potential to the benefit of society. This innovative campus has been designed with sustainability and the student experience at the forefront of its construction; the campus is car-free, includes more than 30 acres of green spaces, and has numerous cafés and terraces where students can enjoy a quick or leisurely meal while enjoying the Mediterranean climate.

Additional Program Information

Scholarships:

Yes

Scholarships Description:

Learn more about USAC scholarships and discounts at https://usac.edu/money-matters