Spain: Spanish Language and Culture in Toledo Summer

Overview 

This study abroad program is offered by the Ohio University Department of Modern Languages in association with the Universidad Castilla-La Mancha. Students will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture while living in Toledo. This incredibly historic and stunningly beautiful city, for many centuries the capital of Spain, still retains much of its medieval architecture and narrow winding streets. It is said that every stone has a story to tell and yet it is only 30 minutes by train from modern Madrid.

Highlights and Excursions 

Past excursions have included visits to the Alcazar and Roman aqueduct in Segovia, trips into Madrid and Cuenca, as well as exploration of Toledo and its surroundings.  Excursions vary by term.

Study Away and COVID-19

During the COVID-19 pandemic, participation in study away and abroad involves real and potential personal, financial, and academic risk. The CDC advises that you should delay travel until you are vaccinated. Note that entry to some countries and participation in local program and free-time activities, including in the U.S., may be severely restricted or potentially unavailable to unvaccinated individuals. Unvaccinated travelers should additionally expect to incur extra expenses and onsite logistical challenges due to onsite testing requirements. For further information, contact ogoriskmanagement@ohio.edu. 

Living Arrangements 

Students will live with host families, one student per family.

Program Dates 

May 7 - July 1, 2023

*Students should leave the U.S. on May 6 to arrive in Spain on May 7. 

Academics  

Students will generally take 2 Spanish language courses and ML2950, for a total of 9 credit hours. 

A selection of the following courses will be available:

• ML 2950 Field Study in Spain
• SPAN 3110 Advanced Conversation and Composition I
• SPAN 3120 Advanced Conversation and Composition II
• SPAN 3348 Spanish Civilization and Culture
• SPAN 3460 Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics
• SPAN 3550 Introduction to Literature

**SPAN 4000 level available upon demand

All courses will be taught by Ohio University and Universidad Castilla-La Mancha faculty. Courses are subject to change. 

Cost  

The program fee for this program includes: Student accommodations in host families with 3 daily meals (Monday thru Sunday), airport pick-up, welcome and farewell dinner, and excursions.

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 9 credit hours of tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Student Budget Worksheet - Summer 2023

Items that are not related to the program (ie. additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

The Department of Modern Languages offers merit-based scholarships up to $500 to students with a 3.0 minimum GPA participating in faculty-led study abroad programs for 5 weeks or more. For more information: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/modern-languages/scholarships 

Eligibility and Requirements 

The program is open to undergraduate students who have completed SPAN 2120 or equivalent (by the semester before departure) with a 3.0 average and are in good academic standing.

Applicants are required to submit:

1. A copy of their DARs
2. A personal statement: 1-2 page typed essay about yourself, your academic and career interests, and your motivation for studying abroad on this particular program.
3. 2 letters of reference

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad.  Click here to read the entire conduct policy.  

Participants must have a at least a high school diploma or the equivalent (e.g. GED) by the start date of the program to be considered for eligibility.  Students enrolled in College Credit Plus (CC+) are not eligible for study away programs.

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport   now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country. Entry and exit requirements for Spain can be found   here. 

U.S. citizens  will not  need a visa or other special document to enter the country for the length of this program. Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to this program. 

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s Visa Information Page 

Information for  Non-U.S. citizens  can be found   here. 

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Additional Information on Country 
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations 

About Toledo

Located in central Spain, about 20 minutes from Madrid by high-speed train, Toledo is the capital of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha. With a population of 75,578 people, Toledo’s historic core retains its impressive medieval architecture and narrow winding streets, giving you the feel of having stepped back into the Middle Ages.   

Many famous people and artists were born or lived in this city, including poet Garcilaso de la Vega, King Alfonso X, and painter El Greco.   In 1986 UNESCO declared the city a World Heritage Site for its extensive cultural and monumental heritage. Toledo has figured prominently in Spanish history: sites for the Visigothic Councils, one of the former capitals of the Spanish Empire, and a place of coexistence of Christian, Jewish and Moorish cultures.   One can see the Synagogue of Santa María la Blanca, the Synagogue of El Tránsito, and the Mosque of Cristo de la Luz, testimony to the harmonious co-existence of three different religions and cultures.   

Toledo had large communities of Muslims and Jews until they were expelled from Spain in 1492. It still contains important religious monuments. Toledo was famed for its production of steel and especially of swords and the city is still a center for the manufacture of knives and other steel implements.   Toledo's Alcázar became renowned in the19th and 20th centuries as a military academy. At the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War in 1936 its garrison was famously besieged by Republican forces.   

Student Blogs

Qué Guay OU en Toledo Facebook Page

Que Guay 2022 

Que Guay 2018

Que Guay 2017

Qué Guay 2016

Qué Guay 2015