Program Details
Program Eligibility
Videos
Mental Health and Well-being in Spain
About
The walled city of Toledo is a unique backdrop for the modern-day discussions surrounding mental health, psychology, and well-being. During this program, you will live and study in a location declared a World Heritage Site; Toledo is a living museum, a preserved part of Spanish history where people still live, work, and play.
While you’re in Spain, activities and excursions will introduce you to issues, concepts, challenges/strengths, and interventions related to mental health and health care. This program will help you deepen understanding and abilities to apply cross-cultural competencies in mental health research, practice, and advocacy.
Work with experts in psychology and related fields to identify mental health trends, current issues, and care systems from Spain and the United States.
Housing & Meals
Live in shared rooms with fellow program participants in the San Juan de la Penitencia Residence. The residence includes dining, classroom, library, recreational, and laundry facilities. Because the Residencia is within walking distance to virtually everything Toledo has to offer, it is easy to get out into the community and meet Toledanos. A welcome and farewell meal, daily breakfasts, and approximately 16 additional meals (either lunch or dinner) are included in the program fee. Additional meals can be taken at local restaurants and eateries.
Excursions
Excursions and activities in Toledo may include:
- Toledo city tours
- Survival (introductory) Spanish language class
- Guest lecture on Mental Health and Cross-Cultural Differences from a local Clinical Psychologist
- Guest lecture on Mental Health in Multilingual Kids and Families from a local Clinical Psychologist
- Guest lecture on Couples Therapy in Multicultural Romantic Relationships a local Clinical Psychologist
- Guest lecture on Personal and Professional Growth from Study Abroad and Developing Intercultural Competences
- Flamenco class
- Visit to the Cheese Museum and a cheese tasting in Toledo
- Half day trip to Puy Du Fou
- Walking tour of “El Martes”, a market in Toledo
- Additional educational site visits will include mental health clinics, well-being centers, or similar locations
Excursions and activities in Madrid may include:
- A walking tour of Madrid including Madrid de los Austrias
- Visit to MindPlace Center in Madrid to learn about multilingual mental health in practice
- Visit to the Reina Sofia Museum in Madrid
Day trip to Segovia may include:
- Walking tour and visits to El Alcazar, Plaza Mayor, Jewish Quarter, and the aqueduct
Accessibility
If you have a disability and plan to study abroad, visit our Accessibility Abroad page to learn about considerations, answer questions, and request accommodations before you go abroad.
Flight
The LAC will provide information on booking a designated flight. This flight will be the one the leader travels on and/or will include airport pick-up and transfers in-country. Estimated flight costs are noted in the budget, but fares may change until booked. You are advised not to book flights until given program confirmation from the LAC.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop independence by challenging yourself in a new environment
- Function as an effective team member by utilizing your personal strengths in a group setting
- Explore a specific topic through experiential and interdisciplinary approaches
- Explore history, current issues, data, and trends of the mental health field in Spain.
- Identify influences and intersections between art, culture, history, and well-being.
- Examine culturally-informed models for supporting mental health and well-being for individuals, families, and communities in Spain.
- Compare mental health conceptualization, policies, and care systems in the U.S. and Spain, broadening understanding of mental health in a global context.
- Deepen your ability to apply cross-cultural competencies in mental health research, practice, and advocacy
Faculty & Staff
This program is led by Seth Christman, , Ph.D., L.P., Associate Professor of Educational Psychology in the College of Education and Human Development. Seth has previously led this program abroad, as well as several programs abroad including one to South Africa. Seth is a licensed psychologist with several years of experience practicing in college counseling settings. His research centers around college mental health, as well as LGBT well-being, and multicultural competence in supervision and therapy. In the counselor education program, he has taught courses such as Introduction to Clinical Mental Health, Diagnosis & Treatment, and Counseling Internship.
Program Structure
One 3-credit course
Global Seminars are 3-week study abroad programs led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff that feature:
- Intensive learning in a location that illuminates the topic
- Small groups of 15–25 students
- No prerequisites or language requirements
- Included excursions and cultural activities
- Instruction in English
Coursework
The course seeks to explore mental health, well-being, and helping professions in Spain, while supporting you in developing cross-cultural competencies in a global context.
You will be assessed through participation and engagement in course activities, peer dialogues, local community involvement, reflective journaling, and a presentation on current issues related to the course topics.
Receive credit for: ESPY 3401
Fulfills:
- Elective for Psychology Majors and Minors
- Elective for Developmental Psychology Majors and Minors
- Elective for Family Social Science Majors and Minors (APAS approval through Major Advisor)
Liberal Education Fulfillments: Global Perspectives
Spanish Psychology & Well-being syllabus
Sustainability
The Learning Abroad Center is committed to sustainability and incorporating this into its programs. This course can be tied to Sustainable Development Goals through course content and program activities including:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being—Health and well-being is a core theme of the program, and you will engage with readings, excursions, peer-to-peer dialogues, and guest speakers exploring access (and barriers) to culturally-informed mental health care in the US and Spain.
SDG 4: Quality Education—The course examines the overlap of wellness and education. The program will encourage you to consider the importance of educational access to multiple forms of well-being, examine ways in which global educational systems directly address (or exclude) mental health concerns, and identify globally informed models for healthy human development.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions—We will examine the role of helping professions in advocating for equitable mental health systems and providing equitable care. You will also explore the role of helping professionals in helping individuals, families, and communities in coping with unjust systems, traumatic experiences, and identity development.
Academic Registration
If confirmed, you will be registered for your course by the Learning Abroad Center once registration opens for your term abroad. Make sure you have no holds that would prevent registration.
If you haven't already, communicate with your academic adviser(s) as applicable to review the course for your major, minor, or college requirements. University of Minnesota students should use the Academic Planning Form (PDF), located on your confirmation checklist.
Dates Details
Submit the online application and complete the assigned application checklist according to the appropriate deadline:
| Term | Program Dates | Application Deadline | Confirmation Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| May Session 2027 | mid-May–early June, 2027 | February 15, 2027 | TBD |
Program dates are subject to change.
If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.
Important Note: Enrollment on this program is limited to 25 students. Admission is granted on a rolling basis and applications are reviewed in the order they are completed. Some programs may fill to capacity prior to the application deadline, therefore applying early is recommended. Additionally, applying early will allow for more time to plan ahead and prepare for the program.
Information Sessions
Join in-person or over Zoom. Register and learn more about this and other events on our events page.
| Date | Time | Location | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, May 5 | 2:30 p.m. | In-person at Heller Hall 230 or online. | Registration required. |
| Wednesday, May 6 | 3:30 p.m. | Online only. | Registration required. |
| Monday, May 11 | 11:00 a.m. | Online only. | Registration required. |
Orientation Dates & Locations
The Learning Abroad Center facilitates a pre-departure orientation in collaboration with your program leader(s) in addition to any additional orientation sessions scheduled by your program leader(s). It is your responsibility to know the information shared at these orientations.
Orientation consists of several sessions, all of which are created to support your preparation to go abroad:
- Online Health & Safety Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory.
- LAC Seminar Pre-departure Orientation: This asynchronous module can be accessed in your LAC checklist and is mandatory. The discussion post is due before your LAC Program Orientation meeting.
- LAC Program Orientation: Program details and important UofM information will be covered (finances, health & safety, policies, insurance, etc.). This will be scheduled in collaboration with your program leader(s). Details will be sent to you via email from the LAC and/or your program leader(s). This is a mandatory meeting. **For embedded programs, this will likely be one of your class dates prior to departure.**
- Program Leader Orientation(s): Your program leader(s) will schedule 1–3 additional orientation sessions prior to departure. These will cover academic requirements and preparation, final travel and program logistics, cultural knowledge, and more. Details will be sent to you via email from your program leader(s). These are mandatory meetings. **For embedded programs, these will likely be included in your class dates prior to departure.**
The Learning Abroad Center also offers 2 optional orientations:
Fees
The Cost of Participation (program fee) includes educational costs, program activities, housing, entrances to course-related excursions and site visits, some meals, international medical, security & evacuation insurance, local transportation, and program administration. Program fees can vary widely due to location, cost of living, airfare, and program inclusions.
You must also budget for international airfare (with LAC guidance), visa (if applicable), passport and passport photos, meals not included in program fee, spending money, and miscellaneous living expenses.
The LAC strives to follow best practices to provide the lowest cost program while ensuring a quality academic experience.
If you do not see a budget estimate for the term you intend to go abroad, the fee has not yet been finalized. We strive to post fees for this program at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The Learning Abroad Center will delay the posting of some fees until enrollments, inflation and exchange rates are determined. Note the average increase in fees will be 3–10%. Program fees are based on estimates and may change depending on international economic factors.
Billing & Payments
Visit Billing for information about the billing process for application fees, deposits, and program fees.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Visit Financial Information for information on using financial aid and scholarships for study abroad.
Enrollment Note: This program is considered part of summer enrollment for the purposes of registration and financial aid.
CEHD Study Abroad Scholarships
CEHD scholarships range from $1,000–$10,000 for study abroad experiences. Learn more and apply for CEHD study abroad scholarships. Contact CEHD at [email protected] with any questions.
May/Summer Session 2027 application deadline mid February 2027 (exact date forthcoming).
Flight & Deposit Advance
The Flight & Deposit Advance (formerly Bridging Loan) is a no-interest/no-fees program that allows you to defer payment of your flight and LAC program deposit until your financial aid is disbursed.
Cancellation Policy
Before you apply to or confirm your participation on this program, review the Learning Abroad Center's Cancellation Policy to inform yourself of the timeline and financial obligations for canceling.
Apply
You will be charged a $50 application fee for each application you submit.
Complete
After you submit your application, you will receive an email notification confirming that your application was received. Submitted applications are assigned an application checklist, which will include the following items:
- Application Essay
Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.
If you do not meet the GPA requirement for this program you will be required to submit an additional essay. It will be added to your checklist after you start your application, and you will be notified when it has been added.
Next Steps
- After you complete all required application checklist items, you will receive an automated email message indicating your application is ready to be reviewed.
- Your completed application will be reviewed by the Learning Abroad Center.
- If admitted, the Confirmation & Payment Agreement form will be added to your checklist. Complete this form to secure your spot on the program. By submitting the form, you also give your approval for the program deposit to be billed to your UofM student account.
- Complete the confirmation checklist, which include the following items in additional to program-specific forms:
- Passport Information
- Emergency Contacts
- Health Information Form
- Online Health & Safety Orientation
- Release & Waiver
- You will receive information about additional steps from the sponsoring college/department.
After You Apply
Before your program begins, review these resources.
Health & Safety
Learn more about staying healthy and safe abroad, including mental health and wellness, international travel insurance, and safety precautions.
Power of Attorney
Consider designating someone as your power of attorney to act as your legal representative while you’re abroad.
Student Identity
Consult our resources on student identities as you prepare for your abroad experience.
Travel Resources
Ready to go abroad? Our travel resources will help you pack and learn what to expect.
Program Contact
For further information or questions about this program, email