OVERVEIW

Ávila de los Caballeros is a town in the south of Old Castile, the capital of the province of the same name, now part of the autonomous community of Castile and León, Spain. The city is 1,117 meters above sea level, the highest capital in Spain.

The ancient city walls of the old city of Ávila are constructed of brown granite, with eighty-eight monumental towers and nine gateways. Begun in the 11th century, these remain the most complete and best-preserved medieval city walls in Spain. In 1985, Ávila was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Ávila, as the seat of a bishop, contains a Gothic cathedral said by tradition to date from 1107. The cathedral boasts a fortress-like aspect with battlement walls and towers, and much of the work dates from the 13th and 14th centuries.

The churches of San Vicente, San Pedro, Santo Tomas and San Segundo are, in their main features, Romanesque of the 15th century, although parts of the beautiful San Vicente, and of San Pedro may be as old as the 12th century.

The town is renowned for Teresa of Avila, the Carmelite mystic who lived there. The convent and church of Santa Teresa mark the birthplace of the saint whose name they bear (c. 1515-1582).

Ávila also possesses an old Moorish castle used as barracks, a foundling hospital, infirmary, military academy, and training schools for teachers. From 1482 to 1807 the castle was also the seat of a university.

Students in the Ávila program have a unique opportunity to travel, study and live abroad in a beautiful and welcoming city, in a program affiliated with one of Spain's most prestigious universities.

ACADEMICS

You’ll take classes with professors at the Ávila Campus of the University of Salamanca. In addition to four daily hours of intensive language instruction, you’ll improve your language skills and gain valuable cultural insight by living either with a host family, or in a Spanish and international student residence in Ávila. Earn six Spanish language, culture or literature credits from EMU, along with a certificate from the Universidad de Salamanca. Graduate credit is available.

Outside of class, you’ll enjoy the many cultural attractions in Ávila, the birthplace of the mystic writer, Santa Teresa. Sites inside the city include: the medieval walls of Ávila, the Cathedral, and the Palacio de los Deanes. Nature enthusiasts will enjoy the Gredos mountains, which offer excellent hiking and bike trails. Madrid may be reached by a one-hour train ride. Salamanca, Segovia and Toledo are also great options for a day trip.

EMU students and non-EMU students may enroll in the following courses:

SPNH 490 Intensive Spanish (6)
Instruction on a small-group basis, with many different instructional levels available. Students advance according to individual progress.

SPNH 610 Intensive Spanish (6 graduate credits)
Instruction on a small-group basis, with many different instructional levels available. Students advance according to individual progress.


Faculty Bio:
Alfonso Illingworth-Rico, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
A native of Mexico with experience in study abroad programs, as a student and coordinator. He was the director of the Mexico Intensive Spanish program, and has co-directed the Ávila program since 2010. Dr. Illingworth-Rico is currently teaching Spanish Language and Culture at EMU, and serves as general coordinator of the Spanish program in the Department of World Languages.

Students on the program arrive in Spain with a range of Spanish language skills, from beginning language learners to graduate students. The Director will assist students with their placement in language courses, and to provide additional assistance as students adapt to the Spanish way of life.

EMU students may apply for these scholarships:


R. Clyde Ford Scholarship
John Hubbard Scholarship
Paul Adam Kozma Scholarship
J. Henry Owens Scholarship
College of Arts and Sciences Scholarships

Call 734.487.4220 for more information.