Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
School Norms
Can one take more than five courses per semester, or more than three in the summer sessions?
Yes. But in order to take more courses you must consult with your university to confirm that they will accept more credits. Also, there will an extra charge for additional courses. In general, we don’t recommend that the student take more than the prescribed number of courses.
Can one take less than five courses per semester, or less than three in the summer sessions?
Yes. You can take fewer courses if you don’t need them and if you prefer to have a lighter academic schedule.
How many students are there in each class?
The class limit is 15 students, but we try to have smaller classes of 10 students or so.
Are all classes taught in Spanish?
Yes. Classes are taught completely in Spanish.
Do all teachers speak English?
No. Some of them speak some English and can help the students occasionally, but the idea is for the students to get used to Spanish. The principal and program coordinators speak fluent English.
Are there any tests?
Oh… yes 😅. In addition to the normal homework there are two tests (one midterm and one final) in each session.
Do students need to purchase textbooks?, How much do they cost?
Most courses require that the student purchase textbooks. The average price is 20 euros (about $29), so each student should budget approximately $120 for books each semester and about $90 for the summer courses. In some courses the teachers give out printed materials instead of textbooks.
What’s the schedule of classes?
During the semester, each course takes place three hours per week on alternate days (Mondays and Wednesdays or Tuesdays and Thursdays), either in the morning or in the afternoon. During the summer the courses are one hour and half per day (i.e., five days per week), and all classes take place between 9 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Can one come for a session (either a semester or a summer program) and stay longer?
Yes. The student only needs to notify the school and make the appropriate arrangements prior to the end of the first session.
Host families
What is included with the accommodation?
lodging and three daily meals will be provided in private homes. Families who usually receive foreign students as boarders in their homes live in apartments or flats. Families and accommodations have been carefully reviewed and approved by our director of housing (rooms are double occupancy). All homes are located close to public transportation so that both the school and the center of town can easily be reached.
How are the homes students live in?
In Spain, almost everybody lives in apartments, and they are normally smaller than those in the US.
Will I live very far from the school?
The homes can be in any area of the city, although we try to have them close enough to the school. If they are a little far, there is always a bus that will pass near the school.
Do the families speak English?
In most cases, no. That forces the student to speak Spanish, and that’s the whole idea.
What if I have special needs related to diet, health, etc.?
If you do (for example, if you are vegetarian or are allergic to certain foods, etc.), you must notify the Institute as soon as possible so that we can find a family that can cater to your needs. Normally there is no additional cost associated with this, unless the special need is quite unusual and special efforts must be made to accommodate the student.
Is there more than one student in each home?
Normally there will be two of our students in each home. Our experience tells us that this is psychologically good for the students and gives them more confidence. In some instances, there are other Spanish students in the same family.
What happens if I have a problem with the family?
All the families in our program have been carefully selected and they have had the experience of hosting American students in the past. However, if there is ever a problem with any of the families, the Institute will help the students solve the problem, even if it requires switching to another home.
Valencia
How big is Valencia?
Valencia is the third largest city in Spain, after Madrid and Barcelona. Including
its suburbs, Valencia has almost one million inhabitants.
How is the climate?
Valencia’s climate is Mediterranean, i.e., very mild. Summers are warm but
temperatures seldom exceed 30º C (86º F). In winter they are rarely below 10º C (50º F).
It doesn’t rain much, and the rainy seasons are normally the fall (September-October) and the spring
(April-May). It is normally sunny and in winter it’s very pleasant to walk outdoors and enjoy the open
air cafes during the day
How far is the beach?
The closest beach is about 15 to 20 minutes from downtown, and there are
other beaches some 30 minutes away. There are regular buses to all of them, especially during the
summer.
Where is the school?
The Institute of Spanish Studies is located in the university area of Valencia,
in a residential area near “Los Viveros,” the largest park in the city. It takes about 20 minutes to walk
from the school to the downtown area
Is there public transportation?
There is a large network of public buses and metro that connects
practically every point in the city. It’s quite easy to get from the school to the center or to the students’
homes.