The Washington University in St. Louis Program in Spain offers its students the possibility to first participate in a three-week intensive language course in collaboration with the Don Quijote Academy in Barcelona and Sevilla. Upon termination of this course, the students begin studies in the Curso de Estudios Hispánicos program at the Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Founded in 1989, the university boasts a student body of roughly 13,000 and employs some 900 professors. In its brief history, it has received repeated accolades for being one of the most prestigious universities not only in Spain but also in Europe. The compact campus, which is outfitted with modern facilities, is situated in the town of Getafe, a 12 minute train ride from Madrid’s Atocha station.

THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM : The academic plan of the Washington University in Spain is organized according to the different types of courses that the Universidad Carlos III offers, which can be divided in to two categories:

A. Curso de Estudios Hispánico - Classes from this category are intended for foreign students, mainly Americans, but also Europeans. The subjects are designed to improve the linguistic level of the student and establish a global view of Spanish and European culture. All of these classes will be worth three credits.

B. Classes for Spaniards - To foster integration in the Spanish environment, each student should take at least one of the classes intended for Spanish students (although two are recommended). There is a wide variety, ranging from courses that have a two credit value (Cursos de Humanidades, which vary from year to year) to others that have a value of three to five credits (Asignaturas Regulares, classes from habitual academic content).

OTHER ACTIVITIES: The Washington University in Spain students have the possibility of participating in two types of sports and cultural activities. First, the Universidad Carlos III offerings (sports, dance or theater classes, outings…), for which the program will subsidize the majority of the costs. Second, the activities that the program organizes, among which include a minimum of four planned trips around the outskirts of Madrid as well as longer, weekend excursions. Other cultural activities include: theater, dance, movies, soccer, bullfights…

ACADEMIC CALENDAR (approximate): Students can take part in the program for a semester (spring or fall) or for the academic year. Due to the fact that the Spanish fall term does not coincide with that of Washington University, it is recommended that those students who wish to take a larger quantity of classes with Spaniards partake in the spring term or year long program,

SPRING

• Curso de Estudios Hispánicos: January 24-May 15
• Cursos de Humanidades: April 1-May 15
• Asignaturas regulares: February 23-June 7 (exams from June 8-23)
  (10 day vacation for Semana Santa in March or April)

FALL

• Curso de Estudios Hispánicos: September 1-December 20
• Cursos de Humanidades: November 1-January 15
• Asignaturas regulares: September 15-Juanuary 15
• (15 day Christmas vacation from December 22-January 8)