This program takes place during the month of July and is specially designed for Heritage speakers who are at the advanced Spanish language level. You will explore the linguistic, social, cultural and geographic diversity of the Spanish language and enhance your awareness of the connections between culture, identity and learning in the context of the Spanish language. You will be in class with other Heritage speakers and will work together to develop your Spanish language skills in needed areas. Besides working on language development and writing, each day during the last hour of class students will chose among several topics in the areas of literature, art & art history and business. Excursions complement in-class learning and are included in the program fee.
Historical ties between Asturias and Latin America make it a particularly suitable place for Heritage speakers to learn about and explore an important component of their cultural heritage that is shared with Spain and other Latin American countries. During the nineteenth century many Asturians emigrated to America where they created voluntary associations to help them adapt and preserve their cultural heritage. Eventually many thrived and established deep roots in the countries where they emigrated and remain there to this day. Some of those who succeeded returned to benefit the towns and villages where they had originated by financing necessary public works such as street lighting and running water. They also built schools, casinos (clubhouses), fountains and beautiful mansions to spend their holidays or retire. These buildings grace the Asturian countryside and are easily identifiable by their particular Indiano architectural style and by the use of palm trees and other tropical vegetation to landscape their gardens. Nowhere else in Spain is the mark made by the “Indiano” (emigrant to the Americas) as evident as in Asturias. There are very strong connections between present day Asturians and their descendants and kin living in Latin America today. In times of political upheaval and economic crisis the decendants of Asturian immigrants have sought refuge in the land of their forefathers thus further strengthening these relationships on both sides of the Atlantic.
Oviedo sits at the foot of the Aramo mountains just 23 miles from the coast. It is a clean and safe city whose urban design promotes equity and inclusion in historic sites, public squares, car-free livable streets and a culture public gathering places, sidewalk cafes, markets and bars. 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.
Beginning Summer 2026, GEO will host four guest speakers in various health fields to share experiences and local perspectives with students as part of the program experience. Guest speakers include a speech therapy professional who works in a public school, global health professional who works at a local health ministry, a staff member at a local organization in the field of emotional management and behavioral health, and Red Cross staff member. Students will also have the opportunity to visit a local equestrian therapy center. These opportunities are open to all students at the 200 and 300 Spanish level but may be of particular interest to Ballmer Institute and Clark Honors College students as well as psychology, pre-health, human physiology, family and human services majors, and communication disorders and sciences majors.
