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The Temple in Spain program is based at the University of Oviedo in the northern province of Asturias, a vibrant and picturesque region bordered by mountains to the south and the Cantabrian Sea to the north. Removed from the heavy tourism of many other Spanish regions and cities, you can have a truly immersive experience in this off-the-beaten-path location.  

The Spanish language immersion program, currently offered in spring and summer, was established in 2003 and has expanded to include English-taught courses in the fall in business, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, and English literature. 

The program welcomes participation from qualified students matriculated at U.S. colleges and universities.

About Temple in Spain

Administration

Temple in Spain is led by Resident Director Dr. Jaime Durán, a native of Oviedo and faculty member of Temple's Department of Spanish and Portuguese. Dr. Durán studied as an undergraduate at the University of Oviedo and obtained his PhD in Spanish literature and culture from Temple. As Director, Dr. Durán is responsible for overseeing and facilitating all aspects of the program on-site, including orientation, academics, program activities and excursions, and student services and support.

Academics at Temple in Spain

Temple in Spain offers a range of experiences. If you are looking for a language immersion experience, consider the summer program (open to Spanish language beginners) or the spring semester program (open to students with at least an intermediate level of Spanish). Or choose from a wider array of courses during the fall program which, in addition to Spanish language courses at any level, offers courses in English in business, computer science, economics, electrical engineering, and English literature with degree-seeking seeking Spanish and international students.   

Courses are taught by faculty at the University of Oviedo, Resident Director Dr. Jaime Durán, and/or visiting faculty from Temple's main campus. Spanish courses are offered through La Casa de las Lenguas, University of Oviedo's center dedicated to language learning.

Read more about the academic program.

Talk to your academic advisor about how courses on this program could fit in with Temple's Spanish major, minor and certificates. 

Location & Facilities

Temple in Spain is hosted at the University of Oviedo, one of the top public universities in Spain.  The university has approximately 21,000 students enrolled in 38 departments, and 17 faculties and schools on seven campuses throughout Oviedo and in the nearby cities of Gijón and Mieres. The university boasts a commitment to international excellence and regional research, among other highlights. 

All program participants, with the exception of electrical engineering students, will be based in Oviedo. Electrical engineering students will be based in Gijón, where the University of Oviedo's engineering campus is located.

View University of Oviedo in a larger map

Why Asturias?

  • Lively and modern, the cities of Oviedo and Gijón also boast impressive old-town centers, museums, libraries and significant historic sites.
  • Oviedo and Gijón are large enough to host a full calendar of events (including festivals, museum exhibits, concerts, and sporting events), yet small enough to learn your way around quickly and see familiar faces regularly.
  • Offers a wonderful setting to develop and refine your language skills. With relatively few tourists, including English-speaking visitors, you will be able to truly immerse yourself in the language and culture of northern Spain.
  • Named Spain's "Natural Paradise," Asturias is full of awe-inspiring natural vistas and endless opportunities for getting out into nature, with the easily accessible Cantabrian Sea and beaches to the north and the Picos de Europa national park to the south.
  • Affordable transportation within cities and the broader region, and to other destinations in Spain and Europe.
  • Students often enjoy the very social atmosphere, with people of all ages enjoying local events and nightlife.

Read student blogs about studying at Temple in Spain.

Housing

The Temple in Spain program offers housing in a student residence or homestay during the fall semester, and with a local host family during the spring and summer terms

Activities and Excursions

Temple-organized events 

Resident Director Dr. Jaime Durán welcomes students to Madrid at the start of the program for a multi-day orientation within Madrid and to surrounding towns. The group then travels together to Oviedo.

Dr. Durán organizes group dinners throughout the program and, in addition, the fall and spring semester programs include a weekend excursion to Picos de Europa, a mountain range to the south of Oviedo and the second most visited national park in Spain.

University of Oviedo Activities

In addition to academic courses, the university’s Casa de las Lenguas offers cultural programming and organized leisure activities, enabling you to acquire in-depth knowledge of Spanish and Asturian culture and strengthen your Spanish language proficiency outside of a formal classroom setting.

  • The summer program includes two weekend day trips.
  • The fall and spring semester programs include a language partner conversation exchange, a film series, and some day trips. In addition, the spring program includes a one-week non-credit enrichment workshop which, in the past, has included themes such as cartoon design, cooking, dance, digital journalism, photography, photojournalism, radio broadcasting and storytelling.
Faculty & On-site Support

Dr. Durán, a native of Oviedo and Temple faculty member, serves as the program director and supports students 24/7. He teaches a course during the fall and in the summer, as does a visiting faculty member from Temple's Spanish department. Your other courses are taught by University of Oviedo faculty. 

Health & Safety

Staying healthy and safe abroad requires good planning and strong support. Review our health and safety page for important steps to prepare to study abroad, and details about international travel medical insurance and assistance provided by Temple.  

Contact

For more information, contact:

Fall and Spring Semester Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this term.

Academic Program

LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

  • Fall Semester: English, except for Spanish language and literature courses.
  • Spring Semester: Spanish

COURSE LOAD

  • 4-5 courses, 12-18 credit hours
  • Non-Temple students: verify the minimum number of credit hours required by your home institution

COURSE OFFERINGS

  • Fall Semester: courses in Business, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English literature, and Spanish; additional options available for students with advanced Spanish language. Credit-bearing internships available.
  • Spring Semester: Spanish language and literature. Credit-bearing internships available.

Learn more about the academic program.

Program Dates

Tentative Program Dates

  Fall 2024 Spring 2024
Departure from U.S. September 2 January 2
Arrival in Madrid September 3 January 3
Orientation September 3-8 January 3-7
Classes begin September 9 January 8

Last day of classes

 December 20 May 17
Last night in housing December 20 May 17
Program concludes December 21 May 18

Program participants are required to be present for the entire length of the program, from the official arrival date through the program end date.

Program Costs

Tuition and Fees 

Temple students pay their usual rate by school/college and residency.

Non-Temple students pay the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2023-24 academic year, PA residents are charged $8,988 and non-PA residents are charged $16,188 for a full-time courseload of 12-18 credits.*Non-Temple students: your program costs may vary depending on your home institution's billing model. Please check with your study abroad office about your school's billing policies.

All students pay:

  • University Services Fee
  • Spain Program Fee, estimated at $5300, which includes the cost of housing, orientation, and some activities

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.

View detailed program costs.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Summer Overview

Expand upon each of the links below to view more details about this term.

Academic Program

Language of Instruction

  • Spanish and English

Course Load

  •  2 courses, 6-7 credit hours

Course Offerings

  • Spanish language and literature
  • GenEd Human Behavior course

Learn more about the academic program.

Program Dates

Tentative Program Dates

  Summer 2024
Departure from U.S. June 24
Arrival in Madrid June 25
Orientation in Madrid June 25-June 30

Group travel to Oviedo

 June 30
Classes begin July 1

Last day of classes

 July 26
Last night in housing July 26
Program concludes July 27
Program Costs

Tuition and Fees 

Temple students pay their usual per-credit rate by school/college and residency.

Non-Temple students pay the non-matriculated student rate based on residency. For the 2023-24 academic year, PA residents are charged $749 per credit and non-PA residents are charged $1,349 per credit.

All students pay:

  • University Services Fee
  • Spain Program Fee, estimated at $2500, which includes the cost of housing, orientation, and some activities

For complete details about billable costs and estimate for non-billable expenses, such as airfare, meals, and personal expenses, view the program cost sheet.

View detailed program costs.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Education Abroad offers competitive, need-based scholarships for this program. Learn more about scholarships and financial aid.

Eligibility Requirements

Temple programs are open to qualified students matriculated at any U.S. college or university.

You are eligible to apply if you meet the following requirements.

Are enrolled fulltime and will have completed 2 semesters before studying abroad
  • You are enrolled as a full-time matriculated student at the time of application as well as during the semester prior to studying abroad.
  • You will have completed at least two (2) semesters of college-level study by the program start.
Are in good academic standing and meet minimum GPA requirement for the program

You meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement, on a 4.0 scale from all colleges/universities attended. The requirement varies by program:

  • Temple Semester Programs: 2.75 (Internships: 3.0)
  • Temple Summer Programs: 2.5
  • Exchange Programs: 2.75
  • External Programs: 2.5

You remain in good academic standing from the time of application until the start of your term abroad; students on academic warning are not eligible to participate.

Have a valid passport

You will need a passport, valid well beyond the length of your program, by the application deadline.

View deadlines and validity requirements for your host country.

 

Are in good disciplinary standing

You are in good disciplinary standing at the time of application and remain so through the start of your term abroad. Students who have been found responsible for a code of conduct violation and will not be in good disciplinary standing (including disciplinary probation) may submit a petition for review.

Meet the minimum age requirement

You are at least 18 years old at the time of application.

For Temple in Spain, you should ensure you meet the prerequisites for any courses you hope to take on the program.

Application Requirements

The standard application requirements pertain to all students applying to Temple programs.

Admissions Timeline

  • Admissions is rolling (early applications encouraged).
  • Once you submit your application, you should expect a decision within two (2) weeks.

Temple in Spain Information Sessions

Attend a Temple in Spain Information Session to learn more about this program. Register for in-person or virtual options using the links below.

Apply

Don't miss your chance to study abroad!