Program Provider: Universidad de Deusto

Program Site: Universidad de Deusto campus, located in the city center.

Duration: Fall, Spring or Year. Fall semester runs from early September to mid December. Spring semester runs from early January to mid May. Students taking regular university courses in the spring should plan to stay in Bilbao through mid-June.

Description: Surrounded by mountains and not far from the beach, Bilbao is the largest city northern Spain, offering visitors the chance to experience the diversity of Spanish culture. While Spanish is the major language, Basque is spoken as well, and the regional cuisine is internationally recognized. The city is well known for its high quality of life, and boasts a wealth of cultural venues, a wide range of festivals, and plenty of shops, parks and restaurants.

Founded in 1886, the Universidad de Deusto is located across the river from the famous titanium and glass Museo Guggenheim designed by Frank Gehry. The university has around 17,000 students and is small enough to nurture a friendly, relaxed atmosphere and large enough to offer a wide range of courses and activities.

Academics: USC students participate in the Spanish Language and Culture semester program offered by Deusto's International Spanish Center (Centro Internacional Deusto de Español - CIDE). Note that CIDE's Business, International Relations and Spanish semester program is not approved for USC credit. CIDE's Spanish Language and Culture program is designed for North American students who want to immerse themselves in the language and culture. The courses offered are especially well-suited to students with a major or minor in Spanish, international relations, political science, and anthropology. Students who have completed less than five semesters of college-level Spanish usually take ten units of intensive language study and take two or three 3-unit elective courses in Spanish, Basque, and European studies. Students with an advanced level of Spanish may be eligible to take some regular Deusto courses alongside Spanish students in humanities and social science subjects.

Sample courses:
-    Intermediate & Advanced Spanish Language, Composition, and Conversation
-    Spanish Language in Context: drama performance and culinary arts
-    Business Spanish
-    Culture, Politics and Economy in Contemporary Spanish Society
-    Basque Culture and Language
-    Europe in the World
-    Introduction to Hispanic Linguistics I/II
-    Introduction to the Analysis of Hispanic Literature I/II
-    Spanish Cinema and Literature
-    Survey of Spanish Literature
-    Academic Spanish

   
Course load and Credit: Students take a minimum of 15 units and can earn a maximum of 18 USC units per semester.

Accommodations: Spanish homestay, dormitory, or apartments (shared with Spanish speakers). Meals are provided in the homestays and dormitories; students living in apartments have kitchen facilities.

Activities and Other Program Features: In addition to a guided tour of Bilbao, there are several organized excursions outside of the city, including a three-day tour of Madrid, Toledo, or Segovia; a Biscay day tour; a day trip to Gernika/Guernica and Mudaka; and a day tour to the Basque region of southwestern France.

Eligibility: Minimum 3.0 GPA and two semesters of college-level Spanish (or the equivalent). 

Estimated Semester Cost:
Tuition................................$8,075
Additional Expenses*..........$10,492
Total.................................$18,567

Estimated Year Cost:
Tuition................................$15,114
Additional Expenses*............$19,710
Total...................................$34,824

Cost Updated: 3/31/09
Text Updated: 8/18/08


*Additional expenses include estimated costs for airfare, room and board, books and supplies, health insurance, and personal expenses (which can vary greatly from student to student). USC financial aid, scholarships, and tuition remission may be applied to program costs. Please visit the Office of Overseas Studies for more detailed cost information.

Links:
Universidad de Deusto
Cursos Internacionales Deusto de Español (CIDE)
Basque Country Information (in Spanish)
Spanish Consulate in Los Angeles
Spain Tourist Information
Bilbao Tourist Infomation
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
Lonely Planet Spain
Lonely Planet Bilbao