Arabic Cultural Studies in Granada

Granada, Spain
Arabic Cultural Studies in Granada

About the Program

Drawing on Granada’s unique multicultural history and southern European location, this program examines the city's Islamic legacy, established during 800 years of Muslim rule. Activities and excursions bring lessons learned in class to life, from a guided visit to the Albayzín neighborhood, to strolling the stunning grounds of the Alhambra at sunset, to taking a field trip to Morocco. Improve your language skills in Spanish and Arabic language courses (taught in Spanish) and choose from a range of electives that bring Andalusian and Islamic culture and history to life, offered in English or Spanish. You may choose to jump start your Spanish language ability with our Early Start option.

Program Notes


 

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Granada

Dates:

8/28/25 - 12/19/25

Price:

$14,595

Credits:

17 - 20

Deadlines

Apply By:

5/1/25

Withdraw By:

6/1/25

Requirements

$95 Online Application Fee
Program Participation Agreement
Transcript - Unofficial
Complete Application

Eligibility

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Minimum
GPA:

2.5

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $1,000 when you apply with code* by January 1, 2025

Where You'll Study

University of Granada

The University of Granada (UGR) was established in 1531; over the last five centuries, it’s grown into one of Spain’s largest universities. Its influence as a center of social and cultu...

Clubs & Organizations
Clubs & Organizations
Study Room
Study Room
Counseling Services
Counseling Services
University Library
University Library
17-20

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

Students at an advanced Spanish level or lower enroll in 2 Spanish language courses and 2-3 elective courses (taught in English and/or Spanish); students above this level enroll in 1 Spanish language course and 3-4 elective courses (taught in Spanish). If you are at a high-advanced Spanish level, you may opt to take integrated courses with Spaniards.

Courses meet for a total of 45 contact hours/12-15 credits. You may earn 12-15 credits (up to 225 contact hours); if you choose the Early Start option, you may earn 16-20 credits (up to 305 contact hours).

Classes meet on Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday; during the intensive language portion of the program, classes meet Monday-Friday. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled on Fridays.

Early Start: The Early Start course runs for 4 weeks/80 contacts hours in Fall and 3 weeks/60 contact hours in Spring; it’s designed to help you adjust to the university setting and prepare you for your courses. If you participate in the Early Start course you may earn an additional 4-5 semester credits (up to 80 contact hours).

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses. You'll take a language placement exam after you arrive in Granada. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability. It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Spain. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines.

Beginner to Advanced Level Course Structure

Available Levels

Courses

The host institution has offered the following courses in the past. Please note that course listings will not be finalized until the start of the term.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Beginner Spanish 100 Sp 80 5
Elementary Spanish 100 Sp 80 5
High Intermediate Spanish 300 Sp 80 5
Intermediate Spanish 200 Sp 80 5
Lower Intermediate Spanish 200 Sp 80 5
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Arabic I 400 Ar 45 3
Beginner Arabic I 100 Ar 45 3
Elementary Arabic I 200 Ar 45 3
Intermediate Arabic I 300 Ar 45 3
Introduction to Arabic Language 100 Ar 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of Art in Spain 300 En 45 3
History of Art in Spain * 300 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Cross-Cultural Communication 400 Sp 45 3
Cross-Cultural Communication 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
The Arab World and the West 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
History of Spain 300 En 45 3
History of Spain * 300 Sp 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Islamic Culture in Spain * 300 En 45 3
Islamic Culture in Spain * 300 Sp 45 3
Spanish Civilization & Culture * 300 En 45 3
Spanish Civilization & Culture * 300 Sp 45 3

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Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Granada. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Career & Re-entry Workshop
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
August 28
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the GRX Granada airport on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

August 29
Orientation

Mandatory CEA CAPA Orientation will be held.

September 01
Placement Exam

Placement Exam for Universidad de Granada will be held on this day.

September 02
Cultural Activity

Visit to the Albaicín.

September 02 - 29
Intensive Language Prep Course

Students participate in a 4-week Intensive Language Prep Course at Universidad de Granada.

September 03
Cultural Activity

Guided visit to the Alhambra & Generalife.

September 04
Orientation

Mandatory Cultural adaptation seminar will be held.

September 08
Orientation

Sports facilities & gyms tour will be held.

September 15
Cultural Activity

Tapas gathering.

September 30
Excursion

CEA CAPA Daytrip to the Sierra Nevada mountains: the Alpujarra.

September 30
Cultural Activity

Seminar on Granadino culture.

October 01
Classes Begin

Semester classes begin at Universidad de Granada on this day.

October 03 - 05
Excursion

CEA CAPA Excursion to Morocco.

October 06 - 09
Cultural Activity

Tour on "La Granada de Lorca" this week.

October 07
Cultural Activity

Arabic cultural studies exclusive activity 1.

October 13
Holiday

National day holiday. No classes will be held. School and CEA CAPA office will be closed.

October 14 - 16
Cultural Activity

Belly dance workshop this week.

October 17
Make-Up Class

Make-up class for Monday & Wednesday schedules.

October 20 - 23
Cultural Activity

Churros con chocolate this week.

October 25
Make-Up Class

Make-up class for Tuesday & Thursday schedules.

October 27 - 30
Cultural Activity

Visit to the Romani Granada this week.

October 31
Cultural Activity

Arabic cultural studies exclusive activity 2.

November 03 - 06
Midterm Exams

Midterm exams will be held at Universidad de Granada.

November 07
Make-Up Class

Make-up class for Monday & Wednesday schedules.

November 10 - 13
Cultural Activity

Flamenco dance workshop this week.

November 21
Excursion

CEA CAPA Excursion to Córdoba.

November 27
Cultural Activity

Thanksgiving event.

December 01
Cultural Activity

Arabic cultural studies exclusive activity 3.

December 08
Holiday

Immaculate Conception holiday. No classes will be held. School and CEA CAPA office will be closed.

December 12
Farewell Reception

CEA CAPA Farewell Reception will be held.

December 15 - 18
Final Exams

Final exams will be held at Universidad de Granada.

December 19
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Program End Date. Students must move out of housing no later than this day at noon.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$14,595
$14,595
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$800
$1,600
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$455
$455
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$42
$140
Meals

Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$1,628
$2,940
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$236
$473
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$131
$2,100
TOTAL EXPENSES $17,887 $22,303