The Center for Cross-Cultural Study (CC-CS) offers an exceptional opportunity for cross-cultural study in Alicante, Spain at the Universidad de Alicante.  CC-CS facilitates a true cross-cultural exchange by inviting students to expand their world-view through intense immersion of the culture.  With a strong dedication to academic integrity and an emphasis on the personal growth of the student, CC-CS has developed a reputation for the superior quality and value of its programs.  Some features of the program include:

• U.S. compatible curriculum
• Native Spanish professors
• All classes taught in Spanish
• Average class size of 10-12 students
• On-site Resident Director and staff
• Internships
• All-inclusive day and overnight study trips
• Weekends for independent travel
• Intercambios with native speakers

Summer Programs include two intensive acadmic terms with rich cultural components to support the study of Spanish language and culture.  Each 4-week term serves as an ideal short-term study abroad experience.  You take one intensive language course and may complement it with an additional 1-credit course for a total of 4 to 5 credits per term.  Complementary courses include: conversation, literature, culture, and cinema.

For course descriptions, click here.

The cost for one summer session is $3127, and $5544 for both sessions. 

CC-CS has a scholarship program that is open to all participants.  Award recipients are chosen based on the submission of an original essay in Spanish, an essay in English, and a faculty recommendation.  Students may recieve awards up to $2,500.  For Scholarship Program Instructions, click here.

To be eligible, you must have completed 2 semesters or the equivalent of completion of elementary college level Spanish and have a 3.0 GPA in Spanish course work.

Apply to Center for Cross-Cultural Study online at www.cccs.com.

Submit Saint Mary's required paperwork to the Study Abroad Office. 

Acceptance is contingent on a thorough review of the student's application and subsequent approval from CC-CS.

After acceptance, complete the following required items.

1.  Obtain a passport.  Submit a copy of the first page to the Study Abroad Office.

2.  Attend all orientation sessions.

3.  Arrange travel plans.  Submit a copy of your flight itinerary to the Study Abroad Office.

4.  Purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) for $22 in the Study Abroad Office.

5.  Review your health information provided to you.

Location

Spain is located in Southern Europe and is the largest of the three sovereign nations that make up the Iberian Peninsula - the other two are Portugal and Andorra.   Alicante is the jewel of the Costa Blanca beaches stretched along the Mediterranean.  It has a population of about 320,000 in Alicante proper and about 435,000 when including the urban area.  

Climate

Alicante is know for a very mild climate.  The average temperature is 68 °F (20 °C). 

Time

 When Central Standard Time is in effect in the United States, Spain is seven hours ahead.

Currency

The currency in Spain is the Euro.  For the current exchange rate, click here.  Euro bank notes come in the following denominations: 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500.  Coins are in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 1 euro and 2 euro.

More Information

Alicante City Guide
Alicante, Spain
Consulate General of Spain in Chicago 
Embassy of the United States Spain 
Spain Adventure 
US Department of State Consular Information Sheet Spain