Quick Facts

Host Institutions: Universidad de Salamanca
Housing: All students live with Spanish host families. 3 meals per day and laundry once per week are included.
Eligibility Rules: click here
Sample Day Excursions: Toledo, Segovia, El Escorial,Avila, La Alberca y Las Batuecas
Sample Overnight Excursions: Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, San Sebastián

 

Why Salamanca?

  • University town with tons of college students
  • Universidad de Salamanca is the oldest and most prestigious university in Spain
  • Small-town feel but only 2.5 hours to Madrid by train
  • Home of Spain's most beautiful Plaza Mayor
  • Fantastic student-based nightlife

 

City Description - Small city of 180,000

Salamanca was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1988 and chosen as the European City of Culture for 2002. It is a city full of labyrinthine streets, located on the right bank of the Tormes River and is about 2.5 hours west of Madrid by train or bus. With three separate universities in the city of Salamanca, it seems like most of the 180,000 residents are either students or professors.

In addition to housing the oldest university in Spain, the Universidad de Salamanca, the city is also home to the Old Cathedral, as well as the most beautiful Plaza Mayor in all of Spain. The Old Cathedral was a creation of Jeronimo de Perigueux, the chaplain of El Cid. Constructed in the 12th century, the Old Cathedral's architectural simplicity is characteristic of the purest Romanesque and early Gothic periods. The chapels in the cloister contain works of several great artists from the 12th through the 16th centuries, which are of great importance to the people of Spain. The New Cathedral, begun in 1513 and finished in 1780, is one of the last Gothic structures built in Spain. The main portal of the New Cathedral is an outstanding example of Gothic decoration and composition.

Salamanca's Plaza Mayor, considered the most beautiful plaza in Spain, was constructed during the reign of Felipe V. It is the central meeting point in the city and is always buzzing with activity. A perfect square with multiple exits on each side, the Plaza Mayor leads you in all directions of the city.

Universidad de Salamanca

Founded by Alfonso IX of Leon in 1218, the Universidad de Salamanca is the oldest and most prestigious university in Spain. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it was one of the most advanced learning centers in the entire world. Today, the Universidad de Salamanca continues this tradition of excellence with a highly distinguished faculty doing research in 53 departments.

In addition to the university's 30,000 Spanish students, another 7,000 foreign students from all over the world come to Salamanca to enroll in the university’s Spanish Language and Culture classes. All students have access to the library within their department, as well as to the Santa Mariá de los Angeles Library and the General Library. These are extraordinary libraries, which attract scholars from around the world.

No matter where you are in Salamanca, you can feel the presence of the university. There are students everywhere, and the city itself revolves around the university, its most famous landmark. It is the third oldest university in Europe and the residents of Salamanca are proud of this fact.

Students who come to Salamanca to learn language and culture will take their classes in a division of the Universidad de Salamanca known as Cursos Internacionales. Over 150,000 students from around the world have participated in this program since 1929, making it one of the oldest and most highly regarded study abroad programs in the world. Today, Cursos Internacionales continues to draw students worldwide because of its quality Spanish language instruction and international atmosphere.

Classes are kept small, generally with a maximum of 15 students per language class. A placement exam is given on the first day of class, to determine each student’s Spanish language level. The classes always have students not only from the U.S., but also from all over the world.

The Nightlife

If there's one thing Salamanca is not, it's a sleepy little town! In fact, Salamanca is famous throughout Spain for the countless number of bars and clubs that line streets throughout the areas around the Plaza Mayor and beyond.

Beginning around 8PM, the area around the Plaza starts to buzz with activity as people take a stroll, return from class, or buy groceries for their dinner. By midnight the bars and clubs begin to fill and Salamanca comes alive. With unique clubs such as Camelot, which is located in an old church, and everything from typical college bars to upscale bars, you could go to a different place every night without ever repeating!

Course Offerings

Click here for Course Offerings

Costs and Dates

*NOTE: In addition to the ASA program price, students must pay a damage deposit of $250 at least one month prior to departure.

Click here for Billing Information
DatesPriceApplication DeadlineForms & Payment DeadlineProgram Code Apply Online
Winter 2011 Jan. 6 - Mar. 19 $8,595 Oct. 15, '10 Nov. 1, '10 SASW Click Here
Summer 2011 May 26 - June 29 $4,200 Apr. 1, '11 Apr. 15, '11 SASSU Click Here
Fall 2011 Sept. 28 - Dec. 16 $8,595 June 1, '11 June 15, '11 SASF Click Here

What's Included

  • ACADEMIC CREDITS: Students who receive pre-approval from their home institution can transfer the credits they earn in Spain to their home institution. It is possible to earn 5-30 semester hours or 8-42 quarter units of credit, depending upon the length of the program.

  • OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: At the conclusion of the program, an official transcript will be sent to your home institution. To find out which university issues your final official transcript, read our FAQs.

  • ON-SITE DIRECTOR: ASA will have an on-site director to help students with any difficulties that they may encounter in Spain.

  • OVERNIGHT EXCURSIONS*: ASA includes 2 overnight excursions with each of its Spain programs. All hotel accommodations, group ground transportation, and breakfasts are paid for by ASA. Example overnight excursions are: Madrid, Sevilla, Barcelona, Mallorca, Granada.

    *Exception: The Madrid semester program includes 3 day excursions but no overnight excursions.

  • DAY EXCURSIONS: ASA includes 3 day excursions with each of its Spain programs. Example day excursions are: Segovia, Toledo, Sitges, Ávila, Cordoba, Montserrat.

  • ENTRANCE FEES: ASA covers entrance fees to museums and cathedrals on all organized excursions.

  • ROOM & BOARD:

    • Salamanca students will live with Spanish host families who provide 3 meals a day and laundry once a week.

  • TUITION: The cost of each ASA program includes full tuition at the host institution.

  • AIRPORT PICK-UP: Ground transportation is provided from the airport for all students who arrive on the official arrival date, by the designated time. Return transportation to the airport is provided for students who return on the final day of the official program. For details on when you should arrive in order to make the airport pick-up for your group, read our FAQs.

  • MEDICAL INSURANCE: Medical insurance is provided for the official period of the program. There is no deductible.

  • INTERNET ACCESS: Students will have wireless internet access in the academic buildings on campus. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops.

  • CELL PHONE: All ASA Spain students receive a pay-as-you-go cell phone to use while they are in Spain. (The cost of all phone calls, text messages, etc. is the responsibility of the student.)

  • TUTORIAL ASSISTANCE: Students will have the opportunity to receive up to 3 hours of tutorial assistance per week from the ASA on-site director.

  • ORIENTATION: About a month before departure, students will receive our pre-departure orientation guide that tells you everything you need to know before you go. ASA also sends parents our Parent Guide to Study Abroad after the student has been accepted. Students will also participate in a detailed on-site orientation upon arrival in their host country.

  • ISIC CARD: Students will receive an International Student ID Card along with their orientation guide. This card gives students discounts on travel, shopping, museums, and much more.

Not Included:

  • Airfare
  • Books for classes
  • Personal expenses
  • Local transportation
  • Student visa, if required
  • Daily lunch Madrid semester students only - for all other students, 3 meals a day are included
  • Meals on excursions breakfast is provided on overnight trips
  • Damage deposit of $500, paid to ASA prior to departure (Refundable upon return. Applicable only to students who choose the student apartment housing option.)
Click here for billing information
NOTE: Above estimated costs are subject to change. If you need a "Costs of Attendance" list for your financial aid office, or simply need more details about the additional costs listed above, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it


Program Calendar

Click Here for Semester program calendar

 

Photos

 

FAQs

If you have questions about HOW TO APPLY and make sure your credits transfer back to your home university, please CLICK HERE.

We encourage both prospective students and parents, as well as those who have already been accepted to an ASA program, to visit our INFORMATION LIBRARY. Here you will find tons of helpful info to help you know what to plan for and what to expect, such as:

  • ASA Guide to Study Abroad
  • Student Visa info
  • Medical Insurance info
  • Booking your flight
  • Financial Aid info