Program Site: Universidad de Deusto campus, located in the city center.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent). Students must take a Spanish course or the Spanish language placement exam within one year of going to Spain.

Description: Surrounded by mountains and not far from the beach, Bilbao is the largest city northern Spain, offering visitors the chance to experience the diversity of Spanish culture. While Spanish is the major language, Basque is spoken as well, and the regional cuisine is internationally recognized. The city is well known for its high quality of life, and boasts a wealth of cultural venues, a wide range of festivals, and plenty of shops, parks and restaurants.

Founded in 1886, the Universidad de Deusto is located across the river from the famous titanium and glass Museo Guggenheim designed by Frank Gehry. The university has around 17,000 students and is small enough to nurture a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and large enough to offer a wide range of courses and activities.

Academics: USC students participate in the Spanish Language and Culture semester program offered by Deusto's International Spanish Center (Centro Internacional Deusto de Español - CIDE). Note that CIDE's Business, International Relations and Spanish semester program is not approved for USC credit. CIDE's Spanish Language and Culture program is designed for North American students who want to immerse themselves in the language and culture. The courses offered are especially well-suited to students with a major or minor in Spanish, international relations, political science, and anthropology. Students who have completed less than five semesters of college-level Spanish usually take ten units of intensive language study and take two or three 3-unit elective courses in Spanish, Basque, and European studies. Sample CIDE courses include Basque Culture and Language, Europe in the World, and Spansih Cinema and Literature. Students with an advanced level of Spanish may be eligible to take some regular Deusto courses alongside Spanish students in humanities and social science subjects. Sample direct enrollment Deusto courses include Psychology of Drug Dependence, Political Anthropology, Educational Psychology, and Unseen Translation.
   
Course load and Credit: Students take a minimum of 15 units and can earn a maximum of 18 USC units per semester.

Activities and Other Program Features: In addition to a guided tour of Bilbao, there are several organized excursions outside of the city, including a three-day tour of Madrid, Toledo, or Segovia; a Biscay day tour; a day trip to Gernika/Guernica and Mundaka; and a day tour to the Basque region of southwestern France.

Accommodations: Spanish homestay, dormitory, or apartments (shared with Spanish speakers). Meals are provided in the homestays and dormitories; students living in apartments have kitchen facilities.

Dates: Fall, Spring or Year. Fall semester runs from early September to mid December. Spring semester runs from early January to mid May. Students taking regular university courses in the spring should plan to stay in Bilbao through mid-June.

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition................................$9,025
Additional Expenses*..........$12,063
Total.................................$21,388

Estimated Year Cost:
Tuition................................$16,675
Additional Expenses*............$23,756
Total...................................$39,731

Cost Updated: 5/21/13
Text Updated: 5/13/13

*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
CIDE Spanish Language and Culture Program
Universidad de Deusto