UF in Valencia: Spanish Language & Culture – Summer B 2025
You can download the program’s brochure here
Why study in Valencia?
Spain’s third largest city, Valencia is located on the Mediterranean coast approximately 200 miles south of Barcelona. Although Valencia has a rich history, it is often referred to as one of Spain’s more modern cities.
For further information, contact:
UFIC: https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/
UFIC Advisor: Lisa Dias (ldias@ufic.ufl.edu)
Program Director: Greg Moreland (moreland@ufl.edu)
Celebrations and festivals throughout the year, like the Fallas, provide an excellent opportunity for students to witness Spanish character at its best. Study abroad in Valencia is the perfect addition to the college experience for American students! Valencia is an ideal location for travel throughout the Mediterranean, Spain, and the rest of Europe. Equidistant from Barcelona and Madrid and a short ferry ride or plane trip from the Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca, and Formentera, Valencia’s location leaves no shortage of convenient travel possibilities.
A range of architectural styles from Gothic to Modernist may be discovered. The City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias), a museum complex and modern architectural masterpiece designed by a local architect named Santiago Calatrava, provides a prime example of modern architecture. Additionally, explore the medieval streets of the city center in the Barrio del Carmen and Barrio de la Seu, and don’t forget to tour the Valencia cathedral!
Of course, one of Valencia’s main attractions for tourists and locals alike is the miles of sparkling beaches just minutes from the city center. Easily reached by bus or metro, Valencia’s beaches are well-equipped with paths for running, cycling, or rollerblading, plus numerous restaurants and bars that can be enjoyed day and night.
Eligibility/Requirements
- Students in good standing, 2.5 GPA or higher
- For BEGINNER track:
- No previous college-level Spanish language courses (including transfer credit)
- For INTERMEDIATE track:
- SPN2201 and/or SPN2240
- or AP, IB, SAT2 scores equivalent to SPN2201 and/or SPN2240
* NOTE: Bilingual students cannot participate in this program.
Courses Offered in Valencia
All classes will take place at the University of Valencia. UF students choose 6 credits according to their level:
- BEGINNER track
- SPN1131: Beginning Spanish II (5 UF GPA credits)
- SPN2471: Spanish Culture (1 UF GPA credit)
- INTERMEDIATE track
- Students will enroll in SPN3300 and will be placed in one of the following courses:
- SPN2240: Intensive Communication Skills (3 UF GPA credits)
- SPN 3472: Advanced Communicative Spanish Abroad (3 UF GPA credits)
- Students will enroll in SPN3300 and will be placed in one of the following courses:
Housing
Students are housed in host families selected by ISA (International Studies Abroad- a study abroad service provider organization). All ISA housing options are either within walking distance or conveniently located near public transit routes. Travel times to the various university buildings generally range between 15 and 40 minutes depending on housing and class locations. The experience of living in another culture will be both educational and rewarding so long as you stay open-minded at all times. There are differences in culture and lifestyle between life in Spain and the U.S. Remember: the key to a positive experience is flexibility. With this in mind, you can become a true español(a)! Three meals a day are taken with the host family and are included in the program cost.
Cultural Excursions
Cultural activities and excursions listed below include entry fees and hotel accommodations for overnight excursions.
- Madrid (3 Nights) – Visits: El Prado or La Reina Sofia Art Museum
- Toledo (Day trip) – El Greco´s masterpiece, la Catedral, la Sinagoga Santa María la Blanca
- Granada (2 Nights) – Visits: La Alhambra, El Albacín, La Capilla Real
While in Valencia students will participate in the following cultural activities:
- Paella Cooking Class with welcome lunch + Walking Tour Huerta
- Weekly cultural activities to be announced on site, which may include: museum visits to Instituto Valenciano de Arte Moderno, Museo Valenciano de la Ilustración y la Modernidad, Museo de Bellas Artes, Museo Fallero, Museo de Porcelana Lladró
- Outdoor recreational activities: Beach volleyball, Botanical gardens, Bicycle tours
- Entertainment: Soccer stadium visit, City scavenger hunt, visits to mercados
Program Fee: $TBA
All students, regardless of residency, pay the same program fee, which means it is cheaper for out-of-state students to study in Santander than to take classes on campus this summer.
Cost includes: Tuition, room and board (three meals a day), medical health insurance, UF International Center administration fee , cultural and overnight excursions, daily tutoring provided by ISA, and last but not least, access to computers at the UIMP computer laboratory.
Not included: Airfare, personal expenses and books.
Financial Aid
University of Florida students needing financial aid for study abroad should apply through UF Student Financial Aid Affairs.
For information and applications for these scholarships, come to the International Center at the HUB or visit online at UFIC.
General Information for Students
Passport
You will find all the information needed in here. Make sure that you have a valid passport. Passports need to be renewed every 10 years. If you already have one, it may be invalid. Check the date. If you need a new passport, remember that it takes 3 weeks to receive one.
Airfare
You are responsible for purchasing your own airfare ticket. There are several places where you can get discounts.
You might want to have an open return date in case you make plans to visit other Spanish cities or other countries in Europe at the end of the program. Many students do this.
Money
ATM machines are available everywhere, Travelers Checks are not advisable, VISA/MASTERCARD are accepted almost everywhere.
Food
Typical Valencia drinks also deserve a mention. For instance, the horchata (called orgeat in Valenciá), which is a cool refreshing drink made from earth almonds or tiger nuts. Another well know drink is the “agua de Valencia”, which is made with natural orange juice mixed with cava (a type of sparkling wine typical from Catalonia and similar to champagne).
Sports
Valencia is a haven for any sports fan. Whether you want to check out a football match with a cold beer in a lively fan-filled bar, pack into the basketball stadium for a game, or spend an afternoon showing off your putting skills, Valencia’s long-running tradition of sports excellence is one of the sources of the city’s pride- come see why!
Please, check: Deporte Valencia
Further Information
For more information about Valencia, consult the following links: