Sewanee Semester in Spain delivers an academic program combined with cultural experience and program-related excursions and travel that are unparalleled in any study abroad program known to us.

 
You'll return with a full Sewanee semester (16 credit hours) completed and a world of experience that no classroom on the Domain can offer. 

Quick Facts

Where: Madrid, Spain

When:  January 10, 2027 - April 30, 2027

What: Immerse yourself in the heart of contemporary Spain—a nation where centuries of rich tradition meet the dynamic pulse of modern Europe. Sewanee in Spain invites you to explore Spanish culture, politics, and daily life while examining Spain's evolving role within the European Union, all from the inside.

To see what a day in the life is like, scroll down to check out the video by Marin Poleshek, C'27.

2027 Faculty Leader: Prof. Ruth Sanchez-Imizcoz

Cost: Students pay Sewanee comprehensive tuition and fees and will continue to receive Sewanee aid and scholarships during the Sewanee in Japan program.

Eligibility: Open to Sophomores/Juniors/Seniors with a minimum 2.5 GPA. Pre-requisites: SPAN 203 or higher. 

How to apply: 2027 Semester in Spain Application or contact the Office of Global Citizenship

Program Details

academic Information

Students will earn 16 credit hours. Sewanee Semester in Spain’s class schedule, barring exceptional meetings that may be necessary as a result of our travel, is Monday through Thursday.  This allows students extra-curricular time to explore the sites and culture of the Spanish capital or to take advantage of Spain’s excellent rail and bus systems for independent travel within Spain.

  • Advanced Spanish Language SPAN 321 (taught in Spanish): This course is taught by a Spanish professor whose specialty is Spanish Language Acquisition and who is accustomed to working with American students. The professor works closely and individually to help students, to improve their Spanish through conversation, compositions, readings, etc.
  • Contemporary Spain SPAN 323 (taught in Spanish): This course is taught by the director of the program and introduces the students to contemporary Spain through history, literature, current events, theater, movies, etc., taking advantage of the city of Madrid as our textbook, laboratory, and classroom. Constantly unfolding events in Madrid, Spain, and Europe ensure that this course is practical, pertinent, and engaging. This class fulfills a G6 requirement in the language. 
  • Spain in the European Union INGS 306 (taught in English): This course is offered in English by a Spanish Economics professor. It explores the relationship (effects and results) between Spain and Europe. If you are curious about how a true Spanish university class works, this is it!
  • Europe: A Community in the Arts (ARTH 497: Taught in Spanish): In this course focuses on art history, history, Europe, Islam (yes! Islam is part of Europe too), on how culture evolves. You will be able to see, through art, that the idea of a European Union is a very old one that has evolved through the centuries. This class fulfills a G2 requirement.
Housing

Student lodging, in neighborhoods near both the director’s apartment and our university center, is with Spanish families, many of whom have been welcoming Sewanee students for years.

Excursions

Sewanee Semester in Spain includes approximately 20 days of program-related travel.  A 10-day trip at the end of the initial 6-week intensive period, for example, has traditionally included Andalucía (Granada, Córdoba, Sevilla), Extremadura, and sometimes Portugal or Morocco (recognizing the impact on Europe of current immigration from north Africa and the historical impact of Islam on Spanish culture from the 8th century onward). 

A second major field trip may take students on a weeklong journey to Brussels, Maastricht, Aix-la-Chapelle, Ghent, Bruges, The Hague, and Amsterdam. 

Itineraries are flexible, determined by a series of variables including current hotel and transportation costs; the dollar-euro exchange rate; and emergent opportunities related to the focus of our classes. 

Student Support

Comprehensive student support is offered through our partners in Madrid and the program’s faculty leader

  • Pre-departure orientation in the U.S.

  • Airport pickup

  • On-site orientation upon arrival in Spain

  • Health insurance

  • 24/7 Emergency support

  • Crisis-management preparedness

Visas

Sewanee faculty will assist with batch processing the student visas during the Advent term. Plan to bring your passport to campus with you in August.

Spring 2027 dates
  • Full Program: January 11 - April 29, 2027
  • Arrival: January 9-10
  • Departure: April 30

You can find more details on the Spanish Department's Website 

Madrid