“In my classes I am always impressed with how much confidence students have gained from their time spent studying abroad. They often demonstrate great leaps not only in their language proficiency, but also in their cultural competence and their appreciation for cultural difference. They gain immeasurably in their study of literature and culture from having lived and studied in a Spanish- or Portuguese-speaking country.”
Barbara Weissberger, Professor Emeritus
Have you always wanted to study abroad in a Spanish-speaking or Portuguese-speaking country, but you do not know where to begin? The following information will help familiarize you with some of the many programs available so you can determine if you want to study in the Medieval city of Toledo or the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires.
Department Recommendations
Contact your adviser in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies before beginning your study abroad research.
Choose your study abroad experience wisely
- Selecting the best program takes time, so begin planning your experience abroad with your adviser as early as possible.
- A properly chosen study abroad program will challenge your assumptions, deepen your knowledge, and broaden your understanding of global issues and cultures.
- Study abroad is one of the best ways to develop your language skills.
- A properly chosen study abroad experience allows students to develop flexibility, adaptability, critical thinking ability, communication skills, confidence, and other key qualities.
The Department strongly encourages all majors and minors to study abroad in a Spanish or Portuguese-speaking area. An ideal time to plan for study abroad is in the early stages of the 3xxx-level, returning to campus thereafter to take several advanced electives with departmental faculty in the culmination of the major.
Did you know that studying abroad can actually speed your academic progress toward achieving a major or minor? Many classes can function to fulfill university or degree requirements as well as departmental requirements. The Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies co-sponsors several programs with the Learning Abroad Center.
Department-Sponsored Program Locations
Levels of departmental sponsorship
Department-sponsored programs
The Department of Spanish and Portuguese has a very special relationship with the four programs listed above.
Department-endorsed programs
The department has selected additional programs on the basis of two criteria: They work well for students majoring or minoring in Spanish or in Spanish and Portuguese, and they complement the department-sponsored programs by offering different locations, curricular directions, or teaching formats. Department-endorsed programs usually yield University of Minnesota resident credit.
Academic Planning
Fulfill Liberal Education requirements
- If you still have some of the University’s Liberal Education requirements remaining, consider completing them through a learning abroad experience.
- Almost every experience that lasts a minimum of three weeks and is worth at least 3 credits will satisfy Global Perspectives.
- Consult the Learning Abroad Center’s U Credit Abroad Search for courses that have been approved to satisfy Liberal Education requirements.
Fulfilling major or minor requirements
- If you are considering using study abroad coursework for a Spanish major or minor, it is highly recommended that you participate in a declaration session.
- Going on a study abroad program may help you complete the bulk of major or minor coursework, especially if you go through a department-sponsored program.
- Students rarely receive credit for Span 3015 or the three Critical Analysis courses (Span 3104, 3105, and 3107) taken anywhere other than at the Twin Cities campus or at department-sponsored programs.
- For non-department-sponsored programs, we advise taking courses on the literatures or cultures of Spain, Portugal, and/or Latin America that are taught in Spanish or Portuguese. Schedule an appointment with an adviser to determine if you are selecting courses that are likely to transfer and count toward the major or minor. Although we cannot guarantee this, we can help you minimize the risk of taking a course that will not do so.
- With all programs, you will need to petition the courses at the department level upon your return to campus.
- For information on transferring credit from study abroad, contact an adviser in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies.
Procedures for petitioning study abroad courses
- For department-sponsored programs go to the Spanish & Portuguese Studies Department Advising Office to discuss potential classes.
- For ALL other programs you will need to adhere to the following procedures:
- Keep syllabi, papers, exams and any other graded work from each course. Without the syllabi and actual graded materials, you will not be able to receive Spanish/Portuguese credit from the department.
- Wait until the credits are accepted by the UofM, i.e. until they appear as resident credit on your UofM transcript or as transfer credit on your APAS report.
- Then submit all of your course materials to the advisers in the Spanish Department Advising Office, which is in 215 Folwell Hall. The evaluation of materials will take about 2 weeks. The Advising Office will email you when the evaluation is complete.
College/Department Scholarships for UofM Students
- CLA students can apply for CLA Study Abroad Scholarships in addition to other Learning Abroad Center scholarships
- Spanish and Portuguese Study Abroad Scholarships
Learning Abroad Programs
For help in deciding between Spanish language options, consult the Spanish Language Programs Comparison Chart (PDF).
Argentina
Study & Intern in Buenos Aires
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- Very cost-effective UofM program
- Offers four 3000-level courses:;
- ARGN 3015: Spanish Composition & Communication
- ARGN 3001: Colloquial Spanish
- ARGN 3009: Argentina: Stereotypes & Identity
- ARGN 3104W: Introduction to the Study of Hispanic Literatures
- Homestay housing option increases your language skills and your connection with local culture
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, winter break or summer
- Direct enroll with some center-based classes.
- Language classes are only three credits—No Pre-approval granted.
- This program combines Spanish language, a program course, and Argentine university courses with local students at one or more of the best universities in Buenos Aires
- A research option is available. The summer program includes Spanish language and one or two area studies courses.
- Instruction is in Spanish; two years of college-level Spanish required
Chile
- Location: Santiago, Chile
- Program Type: Study Abroad Center
- Choose either from a wide variety of courses at the IES Center or enroll in regular university courses at the Universidad de Chile and the Pontifícia Universidad Católica
- Take advantage of a community engagement project in connection with any of the program courses
- Internships available in business, the arts, and governmental agencies
- Taught in Spanish by Chilean faculty
Ecuador
MSID—International Development in Ecuador
- Program Type: Field Study
- Program Term: Fall or Spring semester
- Location: Quito and other locations, Ecuador
- MSID offers credit through coursework, research, field placements, and internships. Work along-side host nationals on development projects or with agencies working in their area of interest
- MSID internships and research projects are related to development and are grassroots-immersing you directly and personally in the social realities of the poorer strata of the population
- Past examples include opportunities to work in schools, public health and nutrition, family planning, youth work, and many more
- Two years of College-level Spanish required
- Location Type: Quito, Ecuador
- Program Type: Study center program with a focus on language acquisition
- Study the Spanish language while you explore Ecuador, a country known for its remarkable geographic and biological diversity
- Winter Break, Summer Session
Mexico
- Intensive Spanish language program that allows you to complete one semester’s worth of Spanish in three or four weeks.
- Convenient terms offered over winter break, May and summer
- Small class size (maximum of 5 students)
- Courses offered at the beginning, intermediate & advanced level (1004 - 3015)
- Affordable program fee that includes credits, housing, and all meals
- Housing with local host families increases cultural immersion
Spain
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- UofM language/humanities/social science program located in Spain’s former capital and one of Europe’s most picturesque cities⏤a living museum of medieval and Renaissance architecture
- Instruction is in Spanish; four prior semesters of Spanish are required
- Students have the opportunity to take courses at the local university, la Universidad Castilla-La Mancha, with native Spanish students
- The semester program offers internships as well as a community engagement course emphasizing immigration in Spain
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, May term, or summer
- Program type: Study Abroad Center
- UofM language/humanities/social science program located in Madrid—Spain's alluring and lively capital city
- Internships are available in a variety of fields
- Fall or spring semester, academic year, May term, or summer
- 3-week, 3-credit programs at the 3000-level led by University of Minnesota faculty and staff over winter break or May session.
- Explore an exciting location and topic, Fulfill Liberal Education requirements, or earn major/minor credit.
- Combine on-campus instruction during the spring semester with a study abroad component during spring break, on a 3 credits, 1xxx level Seminar.
- Freshman Seminars Abroad are designed specifically for first-year students as an introduction to study abroad, an opportunity to explore an exciting location and topic, and likely fulfill a liberal education requirement.
- Check out additional LAC Instructor-led Seminars that might run over winter break, spring break, May, and summer sessions. They vary in length, dates, and content so students can find one that best fits their academic and professional goals.
- Begin your language study or work toward completing requirements for a language minor.
- Complete a semester of language on a short-term program or explore options to complete two or more semesters of language on semester-long program.