Granada, Spain

Introduction

Granada, population 240,000, is located in Andalusia, Spain's southern-most region. Granada is a mix of natural beauty and inviting climate, Moorish art and architecture, and cultural flair from its strong Gypsy heritage. For the student, this ideal setting offers a great opportunity for the study of culture and history and for many outdoor activities year-round.

The Moors dominated Granada for 800 years until the end of the 15th century. Their influence is still seen in the lifestyles and architecture of the cities and people in the region.

Under the control of Ferdinand and Isabella, many of the Arab mosques and the lower city were destroyed. The Albaicín, one of Spain's best preserved Arab settlements and the last Moorish neighborhood, survived. This area has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. Towering above the Albaicín is the mesmerizing red-clay Alhambra palace, built in the 13th-14th centuries. It is the greatest Moorish monument in Spain.

Below the Alhambra, in the rebuilt city of Granada, there are dozens of sites to visit. Some of these include the Capilla Real, the Hospital Real, the Basilica de San Juan de Dios, the Monasterio de San Jerónimo, and the Caves of Sacromonte (where Gypsies lived beginning in the 15th century).

The University of Granada was chartered 1531. Through its almost 500 years of existence, it has become one of the major intellectual centers in southern Spain. The university's modern language center, the Centro de Lenguas Modernas, is housed in what was once an orphanage built in the 1700s. It was completely restored in 1992 and is located in the heart of granada, in the "Realejo" district.

Academic Overview

Note: The programs listed below will earn Fairfield University credits and grades.

Specific Studies in Spanish Language and Culture

Courses are offered on two separate levels for students who have completed 3 or 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent. All students must take Speaking and Writing Skills and Notions of Spanish Grammar, plus 2 to 3 additional cultural courses.

Hispanic Studies Program

Courses are offered on two levels for students who have completed 4 or 5 semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent. The Speaking and Writing Skills course is required for all students in this program, except for those who prove a bilingual knowledge of Spanish. Students choose an additional 3-4 courses.

Students attending in the fall may take a one-month intensive language study program prior to the start of the semester. This program provides advanced grammar, language, and translation instruction, while allowing students to choose from a variety of Spanish electives. Students will take a placement exam upon arrival and be placed into a level based on the results of this exam.

Further information for both programs is available at the Study Abroad Office.

Student Life

The 1:10 ratio of students to general population renders the entire city abuzz with university activity. Strategically located near mountains and the ocean, there is always something for you to do in and around Granada. In the winter and spring students can go skiing in the Sierra Nevada mountains, and in the spring and summer students can travel to the nearby beaches for sunbathing! Granada is a warm and welcoming Spanish city.

During the semester, students will be offered many social and cultural activities, including movies, concerts, theater programs, bullfights, "intercambios" (language exchanges with local students, based on schedules and interested number of students), and more. Entrance fees to these activities are included.

The following excursions are included: Madrid, El Escorial, Toledo, Seville, and more!

Housing

In most locations, students live with host families. Host family living provides a unique opportunity to interact with Spaniards on a daily basis, to live in a home environment, to experience Spanish culture firsthand, and to eat traditional cuisine. Host families may consist of a single señora (with or without children) or may be a traditional two-parent household. Host families provide students with three meals a day, laundry service, linens, and a key to come and go. Families are carefully screened by API. This will ensure the best reception in your new country.

For students who prefer not to live with host families, other living arrangements may be made, depending on location and availability.

Academic Calendar

For exact dates, please check with the Study Abroad Office.

Costs

Students pay the normal Fairfield University fees for tuition, room, and board. The program cost includes:

• Tuition
• Housing
• Meals and laundry (in homestays)
• Medical and life insurance
• Excursions (overnight and day)
• Social and cultural activities
• On-site directors and staff
• Ground transportation
• Pre-departure and on-site orientation
• Airport receptions
• Mobile phone
• Student services
• Post-program evaluation

Application Procedure

Deadlines: Fall Semester: March 15; Spring semester: October 1

• Application materials are contained in the API catalog. Two faculty recommendations are required.
• All students should schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor before applying.
• Students must obtain course pre-approval for planned studies abroad.