Language Requirement: None
Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above
Location: Europe, Spain
GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

You will take your core language courses in Spanish (beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels) through the Curso de Lengua y Cultura Españolas para Extranjeros (ELE) at the University of Oviedo. At ELE you will attend courses with US and other international students. The Cross-Cultural Communication and Cross-Cultural Perspectives class is taught in English by the GEO Center Director.

ELE courses are held in the mornings, Monday-Friday, allowing you the opportunity to put your language skills to practical use in the community and enjoy the many leisure activities offered in the area. This program offers full on-site staff support and is preceded by an extensive orientation. In-class learning is complemented throughout the sessions by a series of experiential activities such as excursions, including overnight and day trips, guided local visits and other group activities which are included in the program fee. In addition, optional community service placements with local schools and NGOs, the cross-cultural communication course, language partners, and homestays help to further engage you in the community and enhance your linguistic and cultural immersion. Homestays in Oviedo are carefully selected to fit your needs.

Oviedo is located in the province of Asturias; known as Spain's "Paraíso Natural" or "Natural Paradise." Oviedo sits at the foot of the Aramo mountains, just 23 miles from Spain’s northern “green” coast. Oviedo has an urban design, which promotes equity and inclusion in historic sites, public squares, car-free livable streets and a culture of public gathering places, sidewalk cafes, markets and bars. It has a reputation for being one of the safest and cleanest cities Spain, offering great quality of life for students. The hospitality and warmth of the Asturian people coupled with the absence of mass tourism and low presence of English speaking visitors in the region are the keys to Oviedo’s strength as a student learning environment for cultural and linguistic immersion. Take a look at this New York Times travel article featuring images of Asturias that offer a glimpse into its unique landscape, heritage and culture.

Dates and Deadlines

 
TermYearDeadlineArrival DateDeparture Date
Fall Quarter20254/15/2025Early Oct.Mid Dec.
Academic Year2025-20264/15/2025Early Oct.Mid May
Winter Quarter202510/1/2024 1/7/202503/26/2025
Spring Semester202510/1/20241/7/202505/17/2025

 

 

Hear from Our Students

Why Studying Abroad Matters

Two college students posing next to a cow in the countryside.
I strongly advise all students to consider the fact that studying in Oviedo, Spain, can be an immensely beneficial experience. Living in Asturias allowed me to fully immerse myself in Spanish culture… read more

Discount for Pell Recipients

To expand access to study abroad, GEO is offering a $500 discount for this program to UO students who currently have the Pell Grant as part of their federal financial aid (FAFSA).

Academic Details

You will immerse yourself in courses focused on Spain—intensive Spanish language, humanities, and social sciences—at the Curso de Lengua y Cultura Españolas para Extranjeros (ELE). At the ELE, you will attend courses with US and other international students. ELE instructors, experts in their field, have extensive experience teaching US and international students. A cross-cultural communications course, taught in English by the Oviedo Center Director, provides you the opportunity to explore and process your study abroad experience.

You may also take part in community service work and out-of-class language-learning activities to further improve your Spanish and to meet Spanish students. Your learning experience will be supplemented by several excursions in and around Oviedo, as well as day trips and overnight excursions to additional locations. Classes are held in the mornings, allowing you the opportunity to enjoy the many leisure activities offered in the area.

Fall Quarter: The fall program is open to students who have no previous Spanish language experience. Classes are offered at the beginning through advanced levels. Beginner students enroll in pre-set curriculum for Beginner Spanish and the Cross-Cultural Communication and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course. Intermediate 1 students hoping to satisfy the 200 Spanish sequence will enroll in Oral Expression, Written Expression, and Vocabulary and Textual Analysis, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, and one additional Spanish elective (optional and not required).  Intermediate II and Advanced students (300 and 400 level students) enroll in at least one core Spanish language course (Oral Expression, Written Expression, or Vocabulary and Textual Analysis) at their language level, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course and then may choose two to three additional elective Spanish courses. 

Winter Quarter:  Courses in the winter quarter are offered at the Intermediate (2nd year) and Advanced (3rd and 4th year) levels.  Intermediate 1 students hoping to satisfy the 200 Spanish sequence will enroll in Oral Expression, Written Expression, and Vocabulary and Textual Analysis, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, and one additional Spanish elective (optional and not required).  Intermediate II and Advanced students (300 and 400 level students) enroll in at least one core Spanish language course (Oral Expression, Written Expression, or Vocabulary and Textual Analysis) at their language level, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course and then choose two to three additional elective Spanish courses. 

Spring Semester: Courses in the spring semester are offered at the Intermediate (2nd year) and Advanced (3rd and 4th year) levels.  Intermediate 1 students hoping to satisfy the 200 Spanish sequence will enroll in Oral Expression, Written Expression, and Vocabulary and Textual Analysis, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course, and two additional Spanish electives.  Intermediate II and Advanced students (300 and 400 level students) enroll in at least one core Spanish language course (Oral Expression, Written Expression, or Vocabulary and Textual Analysis) at their language level, Cross-Cultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives course and then may choose two to four additional elective Spanish courses (total of 5 language classes required). 

*Spring Semester Students: You will need to be enrolled in at least 240 contact hours in order to be considered full time. This equates to five Spanish classes and the Intercultural Communications and Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Oviedo course. 

Direct Enroll Option: During the spring semester, if you meet the academic and linguistic requirements, you may enroll directly in a selection of courses offered in Spanish at the Universidad de Oviedo. Direct enroll courses are available in the following departments: Spanish Language and Literature, Classic and Romance Languages, and Modern Languages and Literature, Art History, Geography, History and Philosophy.

Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with your study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Additional Requirements

During spring semester students have the option of directly enrolling in courses at the University of Oviedo. Students who choose this option will need three years of college level Spanish language.

Travel Visa Requirement: Spring semester and academic year students must obtain a Spain student visa in order to participate in this program.
 

Housing Description

As part of this program you will live with a homestay family. Under special circumstances, another student from the program may be placed in the same household, but each of you will have your own room. Host families vary from single-parent homes to families with young or older children. Each situation is unique. Living in a homestay is an important part of your study abroad experience, allowing you to more fully integrate into the language and culture of the community. Placements are made with your specific preferences taken into consideration. While every effort will be made to meet special dietary requirements or preferences, some flexibility may be required. 

Homestays are located throughout Oviedo within walking distance or a short bus ride of the GEO Center and city center, and include three meals a day with the family, and light laundry.