Study Abroad in Salamanca: Student Life

Orientation in Salamanca

Proper orientation is vital to the success of even the most carefully prepared foreign study course. AIFS students spend 2 weeks at a language and cultural orientation at the University of Salamanca, followed by a 4-day excursion to Seville, Cordoba and Granada. 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 or the University Residence 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 (fall only), Intensive Intermediate Spanish 202, Intensive Advanced Spanish 302 and Intensive Superior Spanish 402. Students receive 3 semester credits (50 hours) for the language and culture orientation course. The course will appear on the final University transcript, listing hours and grade.

Activities

AIFS organizes monthly activities such as: excursions to towns and sites of interest in Spain, a Spanish cooking class, "tapas" tour, fiestas, Thanksgiving dinner, professionally guided tours of Salamanca, "intercambio" get-together to meet Spanish University students, etc.

Volunteer opportunities

For students willing to make a serious commitment, volunteer work can also be arranged by the AIFS staff. It is an excellent way to integrate in the local community. We offer our AIFS students the opportunity to give “English language workshops” as an after-school activity for school children in a Spanish public grade school. This activity requires a commitment of one hour per week plus workshop preparation time. At the end of the semester the Spanish public school will provide participating students with a certificate stating the hours completed – making this an interesting opportunity for Education majors. Please note that depending on course selections, academic scheduling conflicts may prevent some students from participating in volunteering opportunities.

Computer and Internet access

The AIFS office has a student computer lab and a wireless connection. Students also have free computer and Internet access as well as a wireless connection at the University of Salamanca. Additionally, the AIFS office provides students with a cybercafé supplement of 15 hours per month to allow computer access in the evenings and over the weekends when the AIFS office and the University are closed.

AIFS support staff

AIFS maintains a centrally located office and full-time staff to assist students with problems, doubts, questions, cultural adjustments, medical visits, emergencies and general well-being. The Resident Director serves as a liaison between students, hosts and the University of Salamanca. AIFS coordinators supervise placement of students with hosts as well as organize group excursions and activities that are included in the fee. Dr. Carlos Cabrera, the AIFS academic advisor at the University, holds regular office hours for AIFS students to assist them with any academic concerns.

University activities program

The University is a center of activity for Salamanca. Its plays and concerts draw students and residents alike, and its cinema has an ever-changing program of art films and new releases. Because of the small size of the community (180,000), students can wander into the city center easily, finding other students who will talk over the latest political happenings or discuss poetry over a glass of wine or a late night cup of coffee at a local café.

Students can use the University sports facilities (for free) and partake in social activities (for a small fee) such as hiking, horseback riding through the Charro (Salmantine) countryside, flamenco lessons, salsa lessons, ballroom dancing, Sevillana dance classes, pilates, fitness, judo, karate, fencing, yoga, etc. More information on the University of Salamanca's sports activities can be found at www.usal.es/deportes.

University of Salamanca Mountaineering Club
University of Salamanca Mountaineering Club, the Grupo Universitario de Montańa (G.U.M.) organizes fantastic hiking, skiing and mountain climbing excursions which AIFS students often choose to participate in for a very reasonable student fee. Please consult the following website for more information on what G.U.M. plans during your semester and photo galleries of past trips: www.gumsalamanca.com.

The university as well as the city of Salamanca also offers a monthly program of cultural events such as concerts, art exhibits, opera, theater, ballet and much more.

Visas

Students must obtain a student visa to study in Spain. Students are responsible for obtaining the visa and may need to travel to a Spanish Consulate at their own expense to apply and pick up their passport/visa in person. Additional information about visas will be provided once accepted into the program.