The University of Dallas is known for its wide variety of programs that encourage its students to explore new horizons and enrich their cultural awareness of other countries. For twenty-three years, the Catholic University of Avila has collaborated with UD to offer the Spanish Language and Culture program to its students.
The Catholic University of Avila is located in the city of Avila, Spain. This city plays an important role in the purpose of the program because it exposes students to its medieval aesthetics and Romanesque churches. It was also the birthplace of St. Teresa of Avila, a Catholic writer studied in one of the courses of the program.
The program offers Spanish courses in areas including its language, culture and civilization. If a student is completing a Spanish Concentration, these advanced Spanish classes may count as credit. In other areas, the program offers the following courses: Medical Spanish, Business Spanish and Spanish Mysticism. For the latter, students will read from the main Catholic writers of the 16th century, such as St. Theresa Fauci and St. John of the Cross.
The duration of the program is 4 weeks, from June 30 to July 25, 2025. The program has a cost of €1,950 ($2,028), covering tuition (€800), six credits, full board or accommodation with a host family and excursions. The only thing not included is the plane ticket!
The excursions included in the program are to Segovia, Salamanca and El Escorial. Segovia is home to the tomb of St. John of the Cross, which students can visit if they wish.
The city of Salamanca is home to the oldest university in the country. El Escorial is the town where the palace built by King Philip II, with the same name as the town, is located.
Students are welcome to travel to other places in the country not included in the program. Only one hour away via train with a variety of museums, Madrid is a highly recommended city for students to visit. Students can also use Madrid as a stopover point to travel to Barcelona and its famous Sagrada Familia, which is only a few more hours away via train.
According to Dr. Pérez-Bernardo, who is in charge of the program, in Madrid “many museums are for free if you are a student.” Despite coming from America, UD students can use their ID to take advantage of free admission to museums, or even discounts on public transportation.
Although students can choose any way to travel within the country, the most advisable is by train, due to its cheap tickets and its monthly pass of 30 € to travel to a specific address. The latter option can be purchased online or at the train station.
Regarding traveling around Spain, Dr. Pérez-Bernardo encourages students traveling to Galicia (4 hours from Avila via car) to take the Camino de Santiago de Compostela. Santiago de Compostela is one of several places the Pope has chosen to obtain the grace of the Jubilee Year, which began on December 24, 2024. “In order to do the Camino,” said Dr. Pérez-Bernardo, ”you could do only four days if you want, and you get the grace from the Jubilee Year.”
Although UCAV is associated with UD, the Spanish Language and Culture program is offered internationally. Partaking in this program also allows students to have the opportunity to meet and share memories with other students from around the world. Not only are you open to different people, but you are also open to new, unique and beautiful experiences.
Dr. Perez-Bernardo shared her story of one of her trips to Segovia, where they had Mass at the tomb of St. John of the Cross by two young priests. She did not know that these two newly ordained priests had the idea of celebrating Mass at the tomb of this saint, and Dr. Pérez-Bernardo remembers it as “the most beautiful experience.”
In addition to being exposed to new and different people, students are constantly exposed to the Spanish language. Unlike other programs abroad – where they share a lot with other Americans – in this program, students will be surrounded by Spanish speakers most of the time. If students choose to stay with a host family instead of living on campus, the family will speak only Spanish.
Regarding the host family option, students do not normally choose which family to stay with. However, a friend who has stayed with a family in the past may recommend them, and the student could then request that family.
The requirements to apply to the program are passing the Spanish Placement Test and completing the required Spanish classes in the Core Curriculum. Having taken the AP Spanish Exam is also taken into account, although it is not a requirement.
On the Rome Office website, you will find the link to apply for the Spanish Language and Culture program. If any student has difficulty finding the link, or has any additional questions, they can contact Dr. Perez-Bernardo via email: mperez@udallas.edu