The program
General Overview
During the Spring semester of 2010, the KIIS will offer a thirteen-week program in Segovia, a lovely provincial capital only 60 minutes from Madrid. For both linguistic and cultural reasons, Segovia, in the heart of Castile, is an ideal location for the study of Spanish language and culture. Segovia’s size is likewise ideal since all areas of the city are easily accessible without a car. Foreign students are welcomed in Segovia. There are lively and varied cultural activities, and life there is low-cost and low-stress. The resident director of the 2010 KIIS program will be Dr. Melissa Stewart, from Western Kentucky University. Her assistant will be Professor Nadina del Pozo, from the University of Kentucky.
Travel Options (Back to top)
Students have the option of traveling with the group in an arrange flight, or traveling by their own. Students who travel with the group will be met at the Madrid airport by the program director and taken by bus to Segovia where they will be met by their host families. Students who are already in Spain or who arrange for their own transportation to Spain will meet the group at the Madrid airport at the scheduled arrival time of the group flight.
Dates and Calendar (Back to top)
The twelve-week program will begin January 23th, and will end on April 22rd, 2010. Classes will normally be held four days a week (Monday-Thursday). Whenever possible, weekends will be kept free for independent travel. There will be a spring break in March. During the spring break, students may travel independently in Spain or elsewhere in Europe, or remain in Segovia. See a tentative calendar for the Spring 2010 program!
Orientations (Back to top)
A mandatory stateside orientation will be held for to all students admitted to the program. If a student does not attend the mandatory orientation a $100 fee will be added to her/his KIIS account to cover expenses for individual orientation by the program director. Place and date: November 14th, 1:00-4:00 pm University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Accommodations (Back to top)
A key feature of the KIIS program is that all students will live with Spanish families in Segovia. Generally, no more than two students will be placed with each family. All families live in or near the city center, relatively close to our classroom building located in the Plaza Mayor of Segovia. All meals are taken with the host family, who will also provide towels, bed linens, and laundry facilities. Host families will attempt to accommodate special diets, but KIIS cannot guarantee that all requests can or will be met.
KIIS cannot guarantee that housing in Segovia will be smoke-free. If you have a condition that makes it medically impossible for you to tolerate cigarette or cigar smoke, you should not participate in this home stay-based program.
Excursions (Back to top)
Segovia’s location makes it ideal for excursions to other cities and sites of cultural interest in Old and New Castile. In addition, cheap and frequent bus and train service to Madrid makes it easy for students to visit the museums and monuments of Madrid. Excursions are tentatively planned to Madrid, Salamanca, Avila, and Toledo. In addition, students will be able to undertake independent travel at their own expense on weekends and during the spring break.
Insurance (Back to top)
No health insurance is required beyond the insurance provided through the program, and the International Student I.D.
Cost (Back to top)
Program Fee (tentaive):
Option 1 (without airfare) $8,150
Option 2 (with airfare) $9,150
PLUS $150 Application fee
Application Deadline: Oct. 15th, 2009.
APPLY EARLY & SAVE $100: Apply by October 1st and save $100
*Please note: There are a limited number of seats available on the group flight (Option 2). If you select Option 2 and there are no more group-flight seats available, KIIS will help you find a good flight alternative.
Payment Schedule
First payment of $1000 is due November 5th
Final payment is due December 5th.
The program fee includes the cost of:
- Round-trip airfare to Madrid (Option 2 only).
- Bus transportation from Madrid to Segovia for those on or meeting the group flight only.
- 12 hours of credit. (Tuition waivers of any kind may not be applied to the KIIS program fee.)
- Room and board in Segovia.
- Organized excursions.
- International Student Identity Card.
- Comprehensive medical insurance (zero deductible) through CMI Insurance.
- Student I.D. card.
The program fee does NOT include:
- Round trip airfare to Madrid (Option 1 only).
- Personal expenses and independent travel ($1,500- $2,000).
- Textbooks and Internet fees ($250).
- Passport fees ($85).
- Transportation to and from the U.S. city of departure.
Students are advised to budget their funds prudently and have access to funds in the United States to ensure that they will not run out of money before the program is over. For everyday business transactions in Spain, a credit card such as MasterCard or Visa issued in the student's name will be very useful. ATM cards (such as Cirrus and Plus) are also very convenient for getting cash advances.
Although KIIS has tried to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, it should be clear that the total cost is subject to change necessitated by fluctuation in airline fares and/or foreign currency valuation.
Program & Housing Rules (Back to top)
The KIIS program in Spain has defined rules and regulations to which all participants must adhere. Observing them will assure that the KIIS program is an enjoyable learning experience.
General Rules
• Obedience to all civil laws.
• Respect for the customs of the country.
• Use and/or possession of drugs is strictly prohibited, and is grounds for immediate expulsion from the program.
• Offensive behavior, including public intoxication, is grounds for immediate expulsion from the program.
• Daily attendance in all classes and planned program excursions is mandatory.
• You will be expected to be at your residence by 2:30 a.m. on the nights before class days and excursions. Should you decide to go somewhere overnight or travel elsewhere, please notify the program director.
• Any participant whose action imposes upon or disturbs the other members of the program or continues to disregard any of the above rules may be expelled from the program at any time.
Housing Rules
• When students arrive in Segovia, they will be met by an adult member of the host family. The family will inform and assist the student with public transportation available between his/her house and the school.
• Loans from families to students and vice-versa are not permitted.
• Your family will provide three meals daily: a continental breakfast, full mid-day meal, and a light supper. Students are not permitted to help themselves to items in the refrigerator or pantry between meals. You can buy snacks at any grocery or pastry shop.
• Let your señora know well in advance if you plan not to eat a meal at home.
• Any transportation provided by the family is entirely voluntary, although families will assist with information about Segovia's public transportation.
• Under no circumstances should students make long distance calls (either national or international) from their home phone. Local calls are allowed with permission of the family, and should be brief. Local or long distance calls can be received. Make long distance calls from pay phones, or, if you have your host family’s permission, you may go through ATT, MCI, or Sprint access numbers.
• When the student goes on an excursion, the family will provide a sack lunch instead of a meal. Please ask the Señora for it at least one day in advance.
• You will receive a key to the house, which must be returned when you leave Segovia. Students will be charged for lost keys. Please be certain that all doors are closed whenever you leave the house (main entrance, bedrooms, closets, etc.). Also, please do not slam the doors.
• No one should be invited to the home without the express authorization of the family. Under no circumstances should friends of the opposite sex be invited into a bedroom of the family house.
• Because of the high cost of utilities, please take only one shower a day. Segovia suffers periodic water shortages, and conservation of water is everyone's responsibility. Also, electricity is very expensive in Spain. Do not leave lights on if you are not using them, and do not use appliances unless absolutely necessary.
• Each family will change the sheets once a week and provide soap and toilet paper (please use only what is necessary). Students should advise the family when they plan to take their bath. If students wish to rest during the day, they should remove the bedspread.
• You may not use the laundry facilities in the homes; reasonable amounts of washing and ironing will be done by the family.
• Students are encouraged to use Spanish in the homes. Families will converse with students in Spanish and will correct their vocabulary. English should be used only if absolutely necessary.
• Should you need to see a doctor, inform the program director or your host family immediately.
• If problems arise, inform the program director.
• All additional costs and damages (broken windows, cigarette burns, phone bills, etc.) will be charged to you.
• NOTE: DO NOT, under any circumstances, operate any motor vehicle while in Spain. Do not drive an automobile, a motorcycle, a moped, or anything else. You may only ride in motor vehicles which are authorized—these include public transportation (buses, taxis), buses taken on excursions, and autos owned by your host family. DO NOT accept rides in any other vehicles.