Office Of International Programs

Verano Español

Take the bull by the horns and learn Spanish this summer!

Verano Español

Verano Español is a six-week academic program in Madrid. Program dates for 2008 are May 31 to July 12. Participants live in Spanish homes and all courses are conducted in Spanish by native Spanish faculty. The program is designed for students at all levels of language proficiency who want to experience a total immersion in Spanish language.

Rollins College

Rollins College, consistently ranked between the best two universities in the South, has a long tradition of successful foreign study programs. Verano Español, which celebrates its 46th anniversary in 2008, is one of the oldest and most prestigious U.S. summer study programs in Spain.

Photos

Click here for photos from the Verano Español program!

Location

Madrid is an historically rich and culturally diverse city of nearly four million inhabitants. As Spain's capital, it boasts an important number of important cultural sites that attract tourists from around the world. These include the old square of the old city, the Plaza Mayor, where bullfights were held in the 18th century, el Palacio de Oriente, the impressive Royal Palace used today only for ceremonial functions, the famous Retiro Park and the nearby Puerta de Alcala, both built in the 18th century under the reign of Carlos III, the world-famous Prado Art Museum and the Puerta del Sol, the main plaza of downtown Madrid that dates back to the time of the Moorish occupation of much of the Iberian peninsula.

The Program

The Verano Español Program is located in central Madrid at don Quijote, a language school located near the Museo del Prado, Museo Thyssen, Parliament, and Plaza Santa Ana, providing an ideal setting for students. The basis of formal instruction at don Quijote is a communicative methodology of language learning that stresses the student's immediate active engagement in language acquisition. Classes are small, usually no more than eight students, and instructors have extensive experience in the strategies of encouraging rapid and intensive language acquisition. Recognizing that successful training in another language cannot take place in a vacuum, Verano Español provides a series of cultural activities throughout the summer that are designed to provide each student with a fuller sense of Spanish language, life and culture.

Housing

Living with Spanish hosts during the summer is an integral part of the program; it gives students an inside perspective on Spanish society not available in a dorm room. Students complete a housing questionnaire as part of their application, and after acceptance are carefully matched with families or single adults who are eager to welcome students into their homes. The host provides a room, two meals per day, laundry service, and all linens and towels. Students are considered a member of the family. Homestays are available in residential neighborhoods in several different areas of Madrid.

Program Coordinator

Verano Español's coordinator in Spain is Dr. Alberto Prieto-Calixto; Professor of Spanish at Rollins and a native Spaniard. Dr. Prieto-Calixto will accompany students to their homes, organize a weekend field trip and be available to assist students in their transition to life in Madrid.

Courses/credits

All levels of intensive language courses, from beginning to advanced are offered. Students are tested, and placed in the appropriate level. Classes are multinational, with students from other countries who are also at the school learning Spanish. Language classes meet four hours per day, Monday to Friday, and optional cultural activities are planned weekly. Students will receive two course credits and eight semester hours of credit from Rollins College upon successful completion of the program.

Program Cost

The cost of the program for 2008 is $5350 ($5100 plus a $250 summer matriculation fee). Limited need-based partial scholarships are available.

The cost includes:

• Tuition
• Room and half-board for the program dates in a Spanish home
• Weekend orientation in Madrid, meals during the orientation and a farewell dinner
• Local transportation in Madrid
• One weekend in the scenic village of Candelario, Salamanca
• Textbooks and study materials
  

Not included in the program cost:

• Air fare
• Personal expenses

Air Travel

Students should plan to arrive in Madrid on the morning of May 31 (Saturday) to meet up with the group. If you plan to arrive in Madrid before May 31 accommodations will need to be made on your own.

Inexpensive flights are available through STA Student Travel (800-781-4040 or www.statravel.com and Student Universe, a division of Orbitz (www.studentuniverse.com).

Eligibility

The program is open to all undergraduate students. The minimum GPA for admission to the program is 3.0. Good college standing, an excellent record of personal responsibility (e.g. judicial record, service to the Rollins community, employment history) and a high level of maturity are also required. Applicants will also be evaluated on the basis of their application, academic reference and faculty interview.

Rising sophomores must have at least 1½ years of college language study or the equivalent; rising juniors and seniors do not require previous Spanish study.

Application Process

Applicants to Verano Español program should have a demonstrated interest in Spain, a desire to become proficient in Spanish, and a desire to learn about Spanish culture and society.  All applicants must also have an interview with Dr. Prieto-Calixto in the Department of Modern Languages.

To apply, candidates should submit:

• A completed application form, available from the address below or online at the top of this page.
• An official college transcript (not required for Rollins students)
• A one to two page essay (between one and two typewritten, double-spaced pages covering the following points: academic, career and personal goals; how your study-abroad plans will contribute to meeting your goals; how you plan to take advantage of the cultural and educational resources available through the program.)
• A one-page "Dear Host" letter (It should be typed or handwritten neatly on stationery. You should try to write the letter in Spanish so that your host family is able to read it, however if you don't feel confident in your Spanish you may write it in English. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself to your host family and you should describe your family background, your studies, your plans for the future, hobbies and interests. You should also describe your personality, personal habits, degree of independence and adaptability. Finally, thank your host for opening their home to you and express your enthusiasm for visiting their country.)
• Eight passport size photos
• A non-refundable application fee of $50 (if you are not a Rollins student)

Application Deadline

The deadline for application is Friday, December 14, 2007. Applications will be accepted after this date on a space-available basis. Students are required to submit a $500 deposit within two weeks of acceptance. Final payment is due April 15, 2008.

Applications are available from this website. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print the application.

Click on the link below to print out the application. Fill out the application and return to International Programs along with the other required items listed under the heading "Application Process."

Verano Español Application

For More information contact:

VERANO ESPAÑOL

Rollins College

1000 Holt Ave. - 2752

Winter Park, Florida 32789-4499

Telephone: (407) 646-2217

Fax: (407) 646-2265

E-Mail: apcalixto@rollins.edu

Helpful Links

• MultiMadrid - the most complete website of Internet resources in Madrid
• Fotos de Madrid - We doubt you've ever seen anything like this before - you plug in almost ANY street address in Madrid and it actually brings up a picture of that building! We've tested it out, and out of the fifteen addresses plugged in from previous hosts of Rollins students, fourteen brought up the correct building. A good site for getting a sneak preview of what your home next summer will look like.
• España al desnudo - also quite comprehensive - about Spain in general.
• The Prado - one of the world's most renowned museums - in Spanish
• The City of Madrid - website of the city government - in English and Spanish
• MadridMan.com - a comprehensive information site about Madrid - best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Softguide Madrid - travel info about Madrid

Last updated on >>>>>January 22, 2008;