Spanish Language and Culture in Segovia

Language Requirement: 1 year

Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above

Location: Europe, Spain

GPA: 2.5

Program Overview

Fall 2025 deadline extended to 6/15

Live and study in one of Spain’s most beautiful and historically interesting cities. Located just 20 minutes northwest of Madrid by high-speed train, Segovia is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is an ideal location to experience Spanish language, society, and culture. Explore the Roman Aqueduct, the fortified palace of the Alcázar and the gothic Cathedral. Stroll through the winding alleyways, explore the surrounding medieval city wall and relax in the extensive green space bordering the city. Live with a local host family, participate in language exchange with local students, take classes with local instructors, and learn about the local history and culture through regular excursions and activities. Segovia is convenient, easily walkable, and an eminently safe community of 55,000 people. It has the amenities of a large city, but the heart of a small town with architecture and history predating the Celts. Segovia may be an ancient city full of history, but there is nothing dull or stagnant about it.

This Spanish Language and Culture in Segovia program allows you to immerse yourself in Spanish language studies at the second- or third-year level. Students at the second year level hoping to study in Segovia for the Spring quarter are encouraged to visit our Intermediate Spanish Immersion in Segovia program page.

Dates and Deadlines

Term	Year	Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Spring Quarter	2026	2/1/2026	3/29/2026	6/13/2026
Summer	2025	3/15/2025	6/22/2025	8/2/2025
Fall Semester	2025	6/15/2025	8/31/2025	11/26/2025

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early. Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

Hear from Our Students

Returning from Segovia, Spain

I flew back to the US last week, August 4. Before returning to California I stayed a week in New York City to visit my brother. Being able to speak the language made me feel more respected by the… read more

Identity and culture shift in Segovia, Spain

Image The hardest part of my time here is accepting the realization that my ethnic background has been blurred because of the community I live… read more

An incredible experience in Segovia, Spain

A young woman standing by arches in Segovia, Spain

I absolutely loved studying abroad in Segovia. My host family and the entire GEO staff were so welcoming and made me feel incredibly safe. Everyone that I met in Segovia was so friendly, and being… read more

Academic Details

The Classroom
Intermediate and advanced students will immerse themselves in Spanish language at GEO's Segovia Center, and attend classes designed exclusively for GEO participants. Local GEO instructors, experts in their field, have extensive experience teaching U.S. students. All courses are taught entirely in Spanish. Classes are typically small, allowing you the opportunity to interact frequently with faculty members in and out of the classroom. The central location of Segovia facilitates learning outside the classroom on excursions to neighboring sites. Excursions are led by professors and are integrated into the courses, encouraging students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the sights around them. You can participate in tandem language learning activities with local university students.

Summer
Students at the intermediate level in 2nd year Spanish will enroll in a pre-set curriculum of three courses. Advanced students at the 3rd year Spanish level will enroll in two to three courses of their choosing. Each course consists of 45 contact hours.

Fall Semester
The fall semester program offers 2nd and 3rd year Spanish courses. Students can complete the 200-level Spanish sequence and up to 1/3 of the Spanish minor requirements on this program. Spanish majors can satisfy nearly half of the required credits for the major. Spanish minors can complete half of the Spanish minor requirements and general education credits.

During the first eight weeks of the program, students at the intermediate level in 2nd year Spanish will enroll in a pre-set curriculum of three courses, each consisting of 40 contact hours.
During the first eight weeks of the program, students at the advanced level in 3rd year Spanish will enroll in 3 of the following Spanish courses of their choosing, each consisting of 40 contact hours.
- Spain and Its Role in the European Union
- Spanish Grammar and Conversation in Segovia
- Advanced Spanish Conversation and Composition
- Spanish Language - Pronunciation and Phonetics
During the last 4.5 weeks of the program, all students will enroll in 1 or 2 additional 300-level Spanish classes each for 40 contact hours.
- Spanish Literature: Romantic, Realist and Modernist Visions of Spain
- Contemporary Spanish Culture and Civilization

Spring Quarter
This program's Spring quarter offers courses at the Advanced, 3rd year Spanish level. Students seeking to study Spanish at the Intermediate, 2nd year level are encouraged to consider the Intermediate Spanish Immersion in Segovia program.

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.

Housing Description

Housing in Segovia is designed to help you experience the local culture of Spain and to improve the speed of language acquisition while living with a host family. Daily interactions with the host family afford cultural nuances that could otherwise be overlooked. Homestays in Segovia are carefully selected to fit your needs and requests. Homestays are located within walking distance of the GEO center and classrooms or near local bus lines. You are rarely placed in a home with another student, but if that is the case, you both will always have your own private room with a shared bathroom. Linens, towels and light laundry are provided by your host. Immerse yourself into the daily life and routine of the household and experience Spanish cuisine and food culture as host families prepare all of your meals. Culturally, mealtimes in Spain are a very important time for family and are very pleasant occasions.