Asturias
FIELD STUDY AND INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
Asturias
A region of striking natural beauty in northern Spain, where the coastal city of Gijón and the inland capital Oviedo create a dynamic metropolitan area.
The Asturias Field Study & Internship program is a semester abroad where students improve their Spanish in practical settings, gain international work experience, and conduct research in their field.
The program at a glance:
• Six weeks of preparation in and out of the classroom.
• A twelve-week internship in any field, tailored to each student’s profile.
• Independent research based on students’ work in their host organizations.
• Support, structure, and guidance from IFE staff.
Housing
IFE has developed a strong community of Spanish-speaking host families in Gijón. All homes are central and accessible by public transportation, and all meals are provided by the host families.
WEEKS
1-6
• Understanding the context
All students take two interdisciplinary courses taught in Spanish on major themes in Spanish politics, history, culture, and sociology. Courses are a mix of lectures, seminars, and site visits.
Course I - Historical and cultural foundations of modern Spain.
Course II - Asturias and the dynamics of social transformation.
Group activities organized by IFE, including two study tours to neighboring regions, help students get to know the city and its northern Spanish context.
WEEKS 7-18 • Putting it into
practice
Las Prácticas - students begin an internship specifically found to match their goals and academic background (28 hours/week).
La Tesis - with guidance from an academic advisor, students develop a research project based on their internship, culminating in a written paper.
Course III - The Asturias seminar: Spanish socio-economics in Europe and the world.
Academic credit
Course I - 4 credits
Course II - 4 credits
Course III - 3 credits
Independent Research - 6 credits
