Dickinson in Spain

Málaga, Spain

 
Málaga is the capital of the famed seaside tourist area known as the Costa del Sol. While sharing the climate and Mediterranean view that makes coastal Spain so appealing to sun seekers, Málaga is a bustling commercial center that is more traditionally Spanish than its touristy neighbors. The city, with a population of more than 600,000, traces its history back to the 10th century B.C., when it was founded by the Phoenicians.

The Picasso museum, recently restored Alcazaba and numerous theatres and museums attract thousands annually to the city's rich cultural life. In addition, Málaga is well located, with the three best-known cities in Andalucia - Granada, Córdoba and Sevilla - just a quick bus ride away.

Universidad de Málaga

 
Dickinson College offered its first full-year study abroad program in Spain in 1985 in cooperation with the Universidad de Málaga. Since that time, Dickinson has expanded its offerings in Málaga and now runs a comprehensive program that focuses on Spanish language and literature, culture and society and includes internships and courses in economics and international business.

Program participants have the opportunity to sample courses offered at the Teatinos campus of the Universidad de Málaga, which has eight schools and institutes and more than 50,000 students. For Dickinson students, this is an opportunity to integrate in Spanish university life and to see how the experience of attending a large university compares to that of attending a small liberal-arts college.
 

Academics

Most students who successfully complete the academic year in Málaga earn nine credits, depending upon their selected courses. Five credits can be earned in the fall semester and four in the spring.

All program participants take courses in Spanish literature, art, history, economics and culture. These classes are taught by Universidad de Málaga professors as well as by the Dickinson resident director at the Cursos de Español para Extranjeros of the Universidad de Málaga. The course offerings are specially designed to mesh wtih the Dickinson College curriculum - taking students beyond the Spanish-related coursework offered on the Carlisle campus.

Participants in the fall and academic-year programs also have the opportunity to enroll directly in courses at Teatinos, the main Universidad de Málaga campus.

Fall Semester Required Courses:
Language Tutorial and Research Practicum
Spanish Society and Culture 
Spanish and Hispano-Arab Art

Fall Semester Elective Courses:
Introduction to Literary Analysis and Theory
Spanish and Hispano-Arab Art
Literary Analysis of Hispanic Texts
Spain and the European Union                            

Spring Semester (To be determined- some courses offered in the past are listed below):
Cross-Cultural Communication for International Managers
20th-Century Spanish History
Advanced Grammar
Topics in Spanish Literature
Introduction to Translation
Intercultural Seminar: Internships are designated at the discretion of the program director and dependent upon availability of the site and suitability of the student.

Students studying in Málaga for the spring semester only are required to take the Language Tutorial and Andalusian Society and Culture in addition to at least two elective courses.

When not in class, students can explore the unique culture of southern Spain, which draws upon Roman, Judeo-Christian and Arab elements.

Excursions

The Dickinson program is enhanced by academic excursions to a variety of destinations. In the past, fall field trips have been made to Córdoba, Sevilla, Granada, Ronda and Antequera, as well as to Madrid and surrounding cities. Spring excursion destinations have included Mérida, Lisbon, Valencia, Barcelona and the white villages of Cádiz. The resident director and a guide accompany the students on all field trips.

Internships

Academic-year students have the opportunity in the spring semester to do an internship in a local firm or institution where they are immersed in the daily working environment of the city. In recent years students have interned in many fields of interest, including fine arts, literature, journalism, multiculturalism, translation, tourism, economics, international business, social services, hotel and restaurant management, veterinary medicine, pre-school child care, primary and secondary education, politics, government, economics and law.

On-Site Administration

A Dickinson faculty member serves as the resident director and supervises all aspects of the program. He or she is available to answer questions about academics and to provide guidance and advice. In addition, the resident director teaches two courses in the Dickinson in Málaga program.

Housing

All program participants are housed with carefully selected host families. Home stays give students a real inside look at life in Spain and allow them to practice their language skills.

Quickfacts

                                                     Dates                                                      Program Fee*                  Application Deadline
Academic Year                     early Sept. to late May                      $51,600                                Feb.15
Fall                                             early Sept. to late Dec.                      $25,800                                Feb. 15 
Spring                                       mid- Jan. to late May                         $25,800                               Sept.15                                                

* This is the program fee for 2010-2011; the program fee for 2011-2012 will correspond to on-campus tuition and fees and will be determined during spring 2012.

Program Fee Includes

• tuition and fees
• room and board
• pre-departure and on-site orientations
• academic excursions

The program fee does not include primary health insurance, airfare, passport, visa, immunizations, optional travel, personal expenses, meals and housing during vacations, books or supplies.

Special Requirements

 2.8 GPA
Students must complete Spanish 231 before studying abroad.

Links

Málaga Orientation Handbook    
Malaga Student Budget Sheet  
University of Málaga  

Current Dickinson in Spain Blog
Past Dickinson in Spain Blog

Click here to read the Dickinson in Málaga newsletter, including a variety of essays and images, as well as students' coverage of regional and national news and suggestions for activities in Málaga.

For more information, contact:

Prof. Jorge Sagastume, On-Campus Coordinator
Department of Spanish and Portuguese
Dickinson College
P.O. Box 1773
Carlisle, PA 17013-2896
Phone: (717) 245-1722
E-mail: sagastuj@dickinson.edu