The Center for Cross-Cultural Study
Through Hollins' affiliation with the Center for Cross-Cultural Study students can spend one or two terms studying in Spain, Argentina or Cuba.
Alicante, Spain is a vibrant and growing city known for its sandy beaches, famous promenade lined with palm trees, the Castillo de Santa Bárbara, and the lively nightlife of the neighborhood called El Barrio. This program is hosted by the University of Alicante, a modern institution with an enrollment of over 33,000.
Barcelona, Spain is a cosmopolitan city located on Spain’s Mediterranean coast, with a rich history and a vibrant culture. The city draws visitors from around the world who are attracted to Barcelona’s architecture, cuisine, mild climate, cultural offerings, beautiful setting, educational institutions and business opportunities. Barcelona is Spain’s second-largest city and it provides a lifestyle that is both Mediterranean and European. The city has an international student population of over 200,000 which adds to its sophisticated nature. The Barcelona location is the only offering where students can choose to study entirely in English in a wide range of subjects including STEM, International Business, History, International Studies and Design.
Seville, Spain is an ancient city on the banks of the Guadalquivir River. Its legacy of centuries of magnificent art and architecture and its mixture of Moorish and Christian heritages make it one of Europe's most beautiful cities. The Center is housed in two turn-of-the-century Sevillian mansions in the heart of the city's commercial and social center. The program enrolls students from many colleges and universities in the U.S. The Center also has an English language learning program for Spaniards and organizes joint social events and cultural activities to give the students of both languages a chance to meet one another.
Córdoba, Argentina is a bustling educational and commercial center set at the foothills of the Sierra Chica mountain range in northern Argentina. Founded by Jerónimo Luis de Cabrera in 1573, Córdoba today is recognized as a center for arts and learning in Argentina with its many universities, theatres, and museums.
Havana, Cuba is a beautiful city with historic neighborhoods, a captivating waterfront and a diverse cultural heritage, is the perfect setting for a meaningful cross-cultural learning experience. Founded in 1514, this Caribbean gem was a key to the Indies and one of the most prosperous ports in the Americas. As you explore the streets of Havana, the rhythms of rumba surround you, along with the sights and smells of Cuban culture. The Cuban people are outgoing, friendly and interested in meeting Americans. Cubans, including fellow students at Universidad de La Habana, take pride in their country and in their diverse cultural and political heritage. Recent changes to US government regulations allow students enrolled in a college or university to travel to Cuba. Spanish Studies Abroad offers students the rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Cuba’s rich blend of African, European and American cultures, and to experience it from within.
San Juan, Puerto Rico is the largest capital in the Caribbean and is considered the cultural heart of Puerto Rico. Originally claimed for Spain in 1493 by Christopher Columbus, Puerto Rico remained under Spanish control until it was ceded to the United States in the Spanish-American War of 1898. In 1952 the island became a commonwealth of the United States and remains so to this day.
Alicante, Spain
Academics
All students enroll in a four-week, intensive Spanish language class for the first four weeks of the term. Depending on their proficiency in Spanish following the intensive course, students choose one of two tracks: Spanish Studies or Integrated Studies. Hollins students must select which track they intend to apply for on the initial application in Studio Abroad.
All courses are taken at Universidad de Alicante and are taught in Spanish.
|
 |
Spanish Studies Track
- Courses designed by the university specifically for international students in fields including Spanish language, civilization, literature, art history and cinema
- Intended for non-native Spanish speakers
- Participants attend classes alongside other international students for whom Spanish is not their first language
- Two levels available within this track:
- Intermediate--Successful completion of one year of elementary college Spanish or the equivalent
- Advanced--One year of intermediate college Spanish or the equivalent
Integrated Studies Track
- Students enroll in Spanish Studies courses along with 1-3 direct enroll courses alongside full-time Spanish students at the Universidad de Alicante
- Subjects include anthropology, art history, business, classical studies, economics, geography, history, literature, philosophy, psychology, and sociology
- Two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent, or native/near-native speakers of Spanish required
Students must be enrolled in a minimum of 14 credits to maintain full-time status.
Housing & Meals
Students are matched with homestays, and meals are provided. A maximum of two students will be assigned to each homestay.
Internships and Service Learning Opportunities
Students who meet additional requirements may be able to pursue internships or service learning placements as course options during the semester. These courses are worth 3-4 credits, and are administered by SSA. To qualify for either an internship or service learning placements, students must:
- Submit an additional application for the Internship Course Option or Service Learning Course Option along with their online application to SSA
- Have completed a minimum of one Spanish course at the advanced level (Internship) or be enrolled in the advanced level of the Spanish Studies track (Service Learning)
Barcelona, Spain
 |
Academics
Course offerings in Barcelona range from Hispanic and European Studies to Economics to Business to courses taught entirely in Catalan. Hollins students are required to enroll in one six-credit Spanish course, and are encouraged to enroll in a cultural integration course. “Barcelona, the City, and Its History" is offered at UPF and fulfills the “social realities” component of the program.
Students may apply to take courses from either of the local two universities: University Pompeu Fabra and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona.
International Studies Track
- Some courses taught in Spanish by professors at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) and Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona (UAB)
- Courses taught in English are also available
- 3.0 GPA required
Integrated Studies Track
- Two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent, or native/near-native speakers of Spanish required to apply
- Courses taught in Spanish, alongside regular university students at UPF and UAB
- Professors can switch between English, Spanish and Catalan during lessons
|
Housing & Meals
Students can chose from a dorm experience or homestay experience.
Students who chose a homestay experience are matched with local families in homestays, and all meals are provided. A maximum of two students are assigned to each homestay, and laundry and internet access are provided.
Seville, Spain
Academics
All students enroll in an intensive Spanish language class for the first four weeks of the term. After the intensive language period, students begin their regular semester work selecting from a variety of courses.
The broad curriculum is grounded in the cultural richness of Seville, Andalucia, and Spain. Course offerings include Spanish language, literature, civilization, cinema, sociology, anthropology, politics, history, business, art history. There is also a one-credit course in regional folk dance. Students must enroll in five courses. Classes are taken with other program participants.
|
|
Spanish Studies Track
- Courses held in SSA's historic Center for Cross-Cultural Studies building
- Intended for non-native Spanish speakers
- Participants attend classes alongside other SSA participants
- Two levels available within this track:
- Intermediate--Successful completion of one year of elementary college Spanish or the equivalent
- Advanced--One year of intermediate college Spanish or the equivalent
Integrated Studies Track
- After the intensive period, students take 1-3 courses at the Center in Seville, as well as 1-3 courses at Universidad de Sevilla or Universidad Pablo de Olavide
- Two semesters of advanced college Spanish or the equivalent, or native/near-native speakers of Spanish required
- B1 placement exam test score required (for Universidad de Sevilla only)
Housing & Meals
Students are matched with homestays, or placed in local residencias. Due to limited availability, placement in the residencias is not guaranteed. A maximum of two students will be assigned to each homestay, while residencias offer single, double and triple occupancy rooms. Weekly laundry service is available in homestays, while students in residencias will have access to on-site facilities. Internet connections and three meals per day, seven days a week are provided in both.
Internships and Service Learning Opportunities
Students who meet additional requirements may be able to pursue internships or service learning placements as course options during the semester. These courses are worth 3-4 credits, and are administered by SSA. To qualify for either an internship or service learning placements, students must:
Non-credit bearing opportunities to volunteer in local organizations are available to students enrolled in the International Studies in English Program.
Córdoba, Argentina
 |
Academics
This program begins with a required one-month Intensive Language and Culture Session. This intensive course prepares you with practical language study at the intermediate and advanced levels. It also introduces you to the culture and people of Argentina. After the intensive language period, students begin their integrated courses, alongside a variety of courses selected from PECLA's catalog.
|
Spanish Studies Track
- Attend classes with other international students at the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC) through their international department, the Programa de Español y Cultural Latinoamericana (PECLA)
- Courses taught by Argentine university professors
- Subjects available include Latin American studies, Literature, Art, Cinema and Sociology
- Successful completion of one semester of intermediate college Spanish required
Integrated Studies Track
- Choose 2-4 classes designed for international students (PECLA) and 1-2 classes at UNC to be taken alongside Argentine students
- Courses taught in Spanish by UNC faculty
- Successful completion of two semesters of advanced college Spanish required
Internships and Service Learning Opportunities
Students who meet additional requirements may be able to pursue internships or service learning placements as course options during the semester. These courses are worth 3-4 credits, and are administered by SSA. To qualify for either an internship or service learning placements, students must:
- Submit an additional application for the Internship Course Option or Service Learning Course Option along with their online application to SSA
- Have completed a minimum of one Spanish course at the advanced level (Internship) or be enrolled in the advanced level of the Spanish Studies track (Service Learning)
Housing & Meals
Students are matched with local families in homestays near the Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, and all meals are provided. A maximum of two students are assigned to each homestay, and weekly laundry is provided.
Havana, Cuba
Academics
The Facultad de Artes y Letras (Liberal Arts College) and Facultad de Filosofia e Historia (Department of Philosoph and History) at the University of Havana offer CC-CS students a special selection of courses in Spanish language and Cuban studies, Afrocuban history, Cuban socialism, popular cultures and the arts. These interdisciplinary courses have been especially designed to focus on themes and issues that illuminate the complex Cuban reality and aid students' integration into Cuban culture.
Available courses include regular university classes at the small University of Havana, as well as a selection of Spanish language and Cuban studies courses developed for study abroad students at FENHI (Facultad de Espanol para no Hispanohablantes). All students are required to enroll in the mandatory, four-credit "Cultural Realities of Cuba" course, as well as one in Spanish language.
Students must be enrolled in 16 credits. |
 |
Spanish Studies Track
- Courses designed for international students and taught by FENHI
- Successful completion of one semester of intermediate college level Spanish required
- Courses taught in Spanish
Integrated Studies Track
- Courses taken at University of Havana alongside full-time students
- Successful completion of two semesters of advanced Spanish required
Housing & Meals
Students are assigned to host families and live in a
casa particular for the duration of the program. Breakfast and dinners are provided in the
casa particular, and Hollins will provide a supplementary meal stipend to cover the cost of lunches.
The
casa particular is a unique homestay opportunity, and SSA reminds students that they should "be prepared for minor inconveniences such as occasional cold showers or low water pressure, a noisy air-conditioning unit or a malfunctioning television."
A maximum of two students are assigned to each homestay, which are located about 25 minutes away (walking) from the University of Havana. Laundry service is provided weekly.
San Juan, Puerto Rico
 |
Academics
The SSA program in San Juan offers a single track in Integrated Studies for students with at least a low-advanced proficiency in Spanish. Courses are taught in Spanish (with a few offered in English) by professors at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. The Universidad del Sagrado Corazón is Puerto Rico's oldest private institution, and is located in the heart of San Juan. Like Hollins, USC is a liberal arts institution which emphasizes interdisciplinary coursework.
SSA's Guided Direct Enrollment Model sees students enrolled in courses at the local university, taking classes alongside regular, full-time students. Available disciplines include the humanities, health, business, and cultural studies.
|
Integrated Studies Track
- Courses taken at Universidad del Sagrado Corazón alongside full-time students
- Successful completion of one semesters of advanced Spanish required
Internships
Students who meet additional requirements may be able to pursue internships as a course option during the semester. These courses are worth 3-4 credits, and are administered by SSA.
To qualify for an internship, students must submit an additional application for the Internship Course Option or Service Learning Course Option along with their online application to SSA.
Housing & Meals
Students in San Juan live in single-sex residence halls on-campus at USC. All rooms are doubles with shared bathrooms and kitchen facilities. Students are assigned roommates from the population of USC's regular, full-time students. Laundry and recreational facilities are available.
Hollins will provide an additional stipend to cover the cost of meals.
Shared Program Features
- Full-time on-site staff
- Full on-site orientation program
- Guided excursions and study visits to sites of historic and cultural interest
- Optional "Intercambio" (language partner) program
- Opportunities for internships and service learning in all programs but Havana (strong Spanish skills required)
- Cultural or community activities organized by SSA staff
What is Covered by the Comprehensive Fee
- Tuition
- Accommodations
- Meals
- Field trips and guided excursions
- All program materials
- Orientation on Hollins campus and at program site
- Basic health insurance
- Internet access (most programs)
Additional Expenses
- Transatlantic transportation
- Books
- Local transportation
- Personal expenses, including independent travel
- Entry fees for required performances in some courses and optional trips
Eligibility
Minimum requirements are
- Junior status
- Completion of Spanish 112 or 121 or equivalent (for most programs)
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- GPA of 3.0 or higher in Spanish coursework
- At least one Spanish class at Hollins in two terms prior to enrollment (minimum)
- Strong faculty recommendations, including one from a member of the Spanish faculty
- No major disciplinary infractions
Applicants are also evaluated on their academic and personal maturity, flexibility, and openness to new cultural experiences. Hollins recommends approved candidates to Spanish Studies Abroad. The program makes final admissions decisions.**
**Please note: In addition to the Hollins application, you must also apply directly to Spanish Studies Abroad for acceptance into this program.
Available Scholarships
Spanish Studies Abroad provides a variety of funds for students participating in their semester-length programs. These scholarships are designed to cover the cost of out-of-pocket expenses such as airfare, visas, and in-country transportation.
- 3.5 GPA
- 400-500 word personal essay
- 3.0 GPA
- 400-500 word personal essay
- specially designed for students from diverse backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in Study Abroad including, but not limited to the areas of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, age, religion, disabilities, as well as first generation students and non-traditional students
