API (Academic Programs International): Salamanca - Universidad de Salamanca

This program is ideal for students who would like to improve their communication and grammar skills, while also taking culture courses in addition to their language studies. Beginning level students focus on developing their oral and written proficiency and all courses relate to language study. Intermediate, advanced and superior level students complete 2-3 cultural electives in addition to their grammar course. A student’s language level is determined by a placement exam administered by the Universidad de Salamanca. We also offer a Summer course to High School students for college credit! 

Universidad de Salamanca now includes a program that is a perfect fit for health science students. Students who are looking for an immersive Spanish experience while taking courses in their major are now offered a great opportunity to study health in Salamanca. 

Students who study abroad in Salamanca, Spain with API will take courses at the Universidad de Salamanca.  Founded in 1218, the Universidad de Salamanca is the oldest university in Spain. Acknowledged by Pope Alexander IV to be one of the four great universities in the world, it stands in the company of the universities of Bologna, Oxford, and Paris. In 1492, King Ferdinand sought advice from Universidad de Salamanca leaders regarding the exploration venture of Christopher Columbus.

One enters the University through the Patio de las Escuelas. It features the faces of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabel, and the walls are marked with the legacy of students, who, upon graduation, have written their initials in an ink of bull’s blood, olive oil, and herbs. Legend has it that there is a frog hidden in the sandstone carvings, and if one finds it, it brings good luck! Inside is the Escuelas Menores building, which houses the department for visiting students.

Salamanca is considered one of the most spectacular Renaissance cities in Europe. It is located in central Spain, amidst a landscape strewn with battlefields and castles, in an area where the kingdoms of Castilla and Aragón first unified Spain. From these roots, “Castellano,” or “Spanish,” became dominant throughout Spain. Salamanca’s Plaza Mayor is said to be the most beautiful plaza in Spain. Throughout the centuries, the sandstone buildings have gained an exquisite golden glow that has given Salamanca the nickname “la Ciudad Dorada” – the Golden City. 

Other Programs in Salamanca:

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  Spanish Language and Culture Studies: This program is ideal for students who would like to improve their communication and grammar skills, while also taking culture courses in addition to their language studies. Beginning level students focus on developing their oral and written proficiency and all courses relate to language study. Students can combine Language and Culture fall semester with International Studies and Business spring semester for a full academic year program.

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  Spanish Culture Studies for Advanced Speakers: This program is geared toward advanced level Spanish speakers who want to study abroad in Salamanca. It provides advanced grammar and language instruction, while allowing students to choose from several cultural electives. Students must have taken four to five semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent for admission. Students take 4-5 courses per semester, and each course is equivalent to three semester credits. Students in this program are encouraged to study for the full academic year. Students who complete the Academic Year program receive the Diploma de Estudios Hispánicos.

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  Business and International Studies: This program offers language and culture electives in Spanish for students at the intermediate, advanced and superior levels of Spanish who want to study abroad in Salamanca. Students with no previous Spanish study are welcome to enroll in the different classes taught in English, which include courses in business. Classes conducted in Spanish are not available at beginning level. Spanish Language is the only class conducted in Spanish offered at a low Intermediate level. High Intermediate, Advanced and Superior students can choose among all the different elective classes conducted in Spanish.All classes are equivalent to three U.S. semester credits. Students choose 4-5 classes per semester.

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  Multidisciplinary Studies for Advanced Spanish Speakers: The Integrated Studies with Spaniards Program (PEI) offers fluent (or near native) Spanish speakers who wish to study abroad in Salamanca the opportunity to enroll directly in classes with Spaniards. This program is a great opportunity for the motivated, superior level Spanish speaker who wants to study abroad with complete immersion. The University of Salamanca welcomes foreign students into this program who meet the following requirements: completion of a minimum of 5 semesters minimum of college level Spanish (or the equivalent proficiency) for admission; current enrollment in an American university; completion of a minimum of two and a maximum of six classes per semester.

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  Health Studies in Salamanca: This program is aimed at students who wish to pursue the study of health sciences (medicine, nursing, health management, pharmacology, biology, etc) while studying abroad in Salamanca. Students will choose a minimum of two out of the five health-related subjects (conducted in English), and then may take up to two additional courses from the health-related subjects OR up to two additional courses from the International Studies or Integrated Studies with Spaniards programs.
  
  

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  Short-Term Intensive Language Studies: Intensive two-week, three-week and month-long courses in Spanish language and culture are available in January, May, and August for those who want to study abroad in Salamanca on a short-term program.

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  Summer Spanish Language and Culture Studies: This is the perfect summer option for those who want to study abroad in Salamanca. Classes are taught at the beginning, intermediate, advanced and superior levels. Level of study is based on a placement exam administered upon arrival by the University of Salamanca. This is a concentrated language and culture program for students at all levels that focuses on grammar, conversation, and Spanish culture. Beginning level students focus on developing their oral and written proficiency, and intermediate, advanced and superior level students choose from a wide selection of Spanish culture course options. Language classes have a maximum of 15 students per class.