Study abroad in Valencia, Spain

<p>My daughter has applied for the study abroad summer program in Valencia. Has anyone done this? Any suggestions?</p>

<p>Have heard nothing but great reviews from everyone that has gone, whether they are current students or 5+ years out of school.</p>

<p>How about the summer study abroad in Lyon, France?</p>

<p>My son is applying for the summer program. He has heard nothing but great things. Seems to me like a great opportunity to fulfill his spanish202 req plus one other course while enhancing his understanding od the Spanish culture and language that our school system has taught him since first grade. Weare planning to meet him at the conclusion of his experience.</p>

<p>Why valencia, spain? is there something special about that program?</p>

<p>I’ve heard great things about the one in Valencia but have not heard anything about the one in Lyon. Has anyone heard about the global health one in St. Kitts? It’s a two week program.</p>

<p>Spanish Professor at UVa suggested program, and has taught there. Daughter has applied, and is waiting to hear. The info on the web site looks good, I just wondered if anyone had any first hand experience.</p>

<p>I don’t have any specific knowledge of these programs. I do know that Valencia is extremely hot during the summer so plan accordingly if she attends the second session. I’m sure the locals will let her know that she’s not actually studying Spanish. There’s no such language!</p>

<p>what about the summer study abroad in granada, spain? is there a difference? christkd what do you mean by locals letting her know she’s not actually studying spanish?</p>

<p>The Spaniards are very proud of their distinct histories and languages within Spain. When we study Spanish in school in the Americas we are learning a variation of one of the languages. If you are in Madrid and say “I’m studying Spanish” they will correct you and say you are studying Castellano (Castilian) and not properly! They really do use the “vos” conjugation and speak with the “th” lisp! In Valencia you will hear Castellano and also Valencian. In Barcelona you will hear Catalan. To my ear, Valencian sounds similar to Catalan. Catalan and Valencian are not dialects of Castellano. In the Basque region you will hear the Basque language. Saying “Spanish language” to a Basque will cause offense.</p>

<p>IMO - summer abroad programs are opportunities to travel overseas and gain an international perspective. The academics are window dressing for the experience. In other words the main benefit comes from interaction with locals rather than hanging out with fellow students. I’m not speaking with experience from UVA’s program but only in general based upon the common set-up to these types of university programs.</p>

<p>The Alhambra should be on your bucket list of places to see if one makes it to Granada.</p>

<p>While in Valencia for the summer program, the students stay with host families. This should expose them to the dialect of the area. My daughter has studied with professors from Mexico and various countries South America, each with their own special differences in the Spanish language.</p>

<p>it sounds like it will be a wonderful experience. She should take the opportunity to listen to conversations on the street (or in the host home) to see if her ear can identify Valencian (or Catalan if she travels to Barcelona). These languages are as different from Spanish as French and Portuguese.</p>