UNI Semester in (Oviedo) Spain

The Asturias region capital, Oviedo, has been placed in the category of "Cleanest Cities of Europe" by the European Union. The city, with the population of approximately 250,000, is located less than a 30-minute bus ride to the northern coast of Spain. Asturias is renowned for it breath-taking physical beauty (rugged sea coast and the Picos de Europa -- the second highest mountain range in Europe after the Alps), its historical significance (the Christian reconquest of Spain from the Moors started here), and its rich cultural heritage.

Oviedo is on the main north-south train and bus lines in Spain, and is located about 30 minutes from the international airport of Asturias, that is served by Spain's major airlines.  There are several flights daily to and from Madrid and other Spanish cities.

The semester prior to applying, students are required to register in the UNI course LANG 2003 Preparation for Study Abroad in Spain. 

While in Spain students typically enroll in five courses that are designed to meet the needs of UNI Spanish majors and minors. Following a placement exam at Univeridad de Oviedo on the first day of the program, all participants are assigned to one of two levels for the duration of the semester: Intermedio or Avanzado. Students have access to courses in Spanish language, literature, culture, history, translation, phonetics, and Non-Western culture and Visual Perceptions. All courses focus on increasing proficiency in Spanish language and awareness of Spanish culture.

In addition to attending classes at the Universidad de Oviedo, students are housed with a Spanish host family and enjoy activities with program assistants from Spain. Expect to increase your proficiency in Spanish and your global awareness! 

Spring - The dates are approximately from the second week in January through the third week in May (18 weeks). Specific dates are announced during the preceding month of September.

Fall - The dates are approximately from the first week in October through the third week in December (12 weeks). Specific dates are usually announced during the preceding month of April.

Housing with full board will be with local families in Oviedo. In most cases there will one student per family, but there may be exceptions. At times, an internet connection will be available in the residence.

Note: it is the policy of the Universidad de Oviedo to not assign families until students arrive in Oviedo. UNI has absolutely no way of knowing in advance any details concerning families. This means names, addresses, or phone numbers. We have been assured by the officials at UO that this is a long-standing policy and one that is very successful. We ask that students and parents/guardians acknowledge and accept this policy and understand the UNI position in relation to it. For their part, we urge students to communicate with parents upon arrival in Oviedo and to relay information on their Spanish families' addresses and phone numbers as soon as they know them.

During any vacation periods or other times that students leave town, they may leave their possessions with their host family. Under no circumstances will students receive a refund for days that they do not stay with the family nor eat meals. These are room and board "packages," prearranged by UO and cannot be altered.

Spring 2011:  Tuition and fees are estimated at $3550.  Room and board seven days a week, laundry, weekly meetings and a limited cultural program are estimated at $4,300. Round trip airfare was about $1500 and books $0 for a total of $9350.

Fall 2012: Tuition and fees are estimated at $2970.  Room, board 7 days a week, laundry, weekly meetings and a limited cultural program are estimated at $3120. Round trip airfare is about $1500 and books $0 for a total of $7590.

Additionally, students are expected to pay for visa, travel documents, insurance, local transportation, and personal expenses.

NOTE: An official program budget, for UNI Financial Aid purposes, will be given to each student in hard copy format prior to program participation.  Please contact the UNI Study Abroad Center in advance to allow time for your specific program budget to be prepared, as budgets often require updates relative to exchange rates and any other program changes.