Spanish Civilization in Segovia, Spain - International Education

International Education

O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
586 Pioneer Drive
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
(location map)
(248) 370-2889
ie@oakland.edu

Office hours
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

In-person and virtual advising hours
Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4 p.m.

Walk-in advising hours
Mon - Thurs: 1 - 3 p.m.

Alex Zimmerman, Director
(248) 370-2843
azimmerman@oakland.edu

Experience Spanish culture firsthand. Travel to Segovia, Spain, for a two-week vivid travel and learning experience with Dr. Mary Hartson. "Spanish Civilization in Segovia” SPN 3510 will be offered as a Summer I course, with the first week on the OU campus. Then it’s off to Spain for two weeks abroad, so there’s no need to take the summer or semester off work! Visit many of the sites and cultural creations learned about in the classroom. The classroom portion runs from May 7-12, 2023, and the study abroad portion runs from May 13-28, 2023.

For more information, contact:
Program Director Dr. Mary Hartson
hartson@oakland.edu

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Where You Will Be

Segovia is a historic city northwest of Madrid, in central Spain's Castile and León region. Its centuries of settlement have resulted in a rich architectural legacy, including medieval walls, Romanesque churches, a former royal palace and a Gothic cathedral. Its iconic ancient Roman Aqueduct has more than 160 arches, most in the original mortarless granite, and stands above Plaza del Azoguejo in the heart of the city.

The city of Segovia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a safe destination for a fun, cultural study abroad experience. The capital of the province of Segovia is a city with warm and friendly people. It is a cultural, touristic and educational place—a great location for both leisure and study.

Segovia is the gateway to Castilla y León, the cultural heart of Spain. Here, Castilian Spanish is spoken. Segovia boasts easy and inexpensive access to Madrid both by bus and high-speed train. Spain's capital city of Madrid holds treasures and additional adventures, and is an easy gateway to travel to the rest of Europe. A city buzzing with activity, Segovia is a university town with the public Spanish University of Valladolid and the international business school IE University campus with a large population of students from around the globe.

Historically important since the Roman Empire, Segovia has played an important role in Spain’s history, including the large merino wool industry. It is also the place where Queen Isabella I, who funded Christopher Columbus’ adventures to the New World, was crowned.

Today, Segovia's monuments make the city an open-air museum, alive with history, art, music, nature, tradition, festivals, gastronomy and more! Segovia is large enough for a full, fun experience, yet small enough to feel like home.

What You Will Do and learn

Students will enroll at Oakland University in SPN 3510: Spanish Civilization (four credits). Classes will be held at the Global Education Oregon (GEO) Segovia Center. Credits count toward the major, minor, or modified major in Spanish. For students who have already taken SPN 3510, there may be an independent study option.

While in Spain, students will live with a host family. Placements are made with your preferences taken into consideration, and every effort is made to meet special dietary requirements. Homestays are located throughout Segovia within walking distance of the GEO Center and city center, and include three meals/day with the family and light laundry.

While in Segovia, you will go on a walking tour of the town and visit local area attractions, including Segovia’s iconic and historic Gothic-style Cathedral, the Roman Aqueduct and Alcázar palace. Visit castles in the province of Segovia and other nearby medieval sites. Tour one of the nearby wineries/bodegas and see a medieval monastery cloister. In addition, you will visit one of Spain’s most iconic cities, Toledo, known as the “City of The Three Cultures.” The former capital of Spain, Toledo is rich in history and beauty.