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Summer (4-week) & Fall Semesters in Spain

Academic Program

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HOST INSTITUTION: Classes in all Coast Study Abroad programs are taught or supervised by Coast instructors, in English, in classrooms abroad. With the exception of the students taking classes at the Sorbonne in the Summer Paris program, Coast study abroad programs are not affiliated with foreign universities.

Classes take place in facilities of International House, a world-wide language instruction organization with over 120 centers in thirty-five countries. The schools in Madrid and Barcelona are major centers for language teaching, teacher training, and other related programs. Coast faculty will oversee the language program. All levels of Spanish will be available with teaching done by Coast faculty and International House staff. The fully-staffed International House Centers are open 5 days a week. There you may use the resources and lending library, collect mail, and use computers with internet and e-mail access.

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PHILOSOPHY: The Coast District considers the semester abroad to be a serious academic program. We understand that you are moving to a location where many people are tourists. You will be in a place where you want to be on vacation but you have to study. Remember that the purpose of a study abroad program is to make normal academic progress while experiencing another culture. The credit received for study abroad classes is exactly the same as that granted by the three District colleges for similar classes and they must meet the same exacting academic criteria. In order to assure this quality, the District has these requirements for study abroad programs:

  1. Classes must meet the same number of hours as they would on the campus--18 hours of instruction per unit. Because most study abroad programs are shorter (12 to 13 week semester and 4 week summer programs), the courses are more concentrated and may move faster than what you are accustomed to.
      
  2. You must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units throughout your semester abroad.
      
  3. Attendance requirements are the same as at home. Most instructors allow up to three unexcused absences. After that, you risk being dropped from the class and/or dropped from the program. Attendance is required for all program excursions because they are a part of the academic program.
      
  4. Minor program adjustments can be made during your first two weeks of class held on campus in California before you leave. After that no changes can be made. You may not withdraw from any class if doing so would drop you below 12 units.

Some students find these standards extreme, believing that the cultural experience is as valuable, if not more so, than the time spent in class. All of us in international education believe strongly in the cultural experience. That's why study abroad programs exist. The purpose of our programs is to make normal progress toward your academic degree while experiencing the culture. If you do not feel up to making that commitment, we suggest you reconsider your application at this point Some helpful hints from former students are:

  1. Beware of three-day weekends! Avoid the temptation to leave on Thursday or stay over 'til Monday. In a concentrated semester, you can't afford to miss that much class time.
      
  2. When you do travel, take advantage of your time on the train to study. You can do your reading for the week and keep up with your classmates.
      
  3. Study in groups.

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SCHEDULE: There will be about 45 hours in-class time for each 3 unit class, or about 15 hours a week, Monday through Thursday, in a 12 week program. So you can count on being in class about 15 hours a week. The excursions add more instructional time, depending on location and instructors' planning.

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ACADEMIC ADVISING: Most Study Abroad classes are transferable to UC and other 4-year schools. However, if transfer credit is important to you, we strongly recommend that you review your proposed program with an academic advisor on campus prior to registration.

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BOOKS: Books for semester program classes are ordered through the Orange Coast College book store and available for purchase about a month before departure. Most can be ordered directly from the publisher or Internet suppliers such as Amazon.com. The Study Abroad office compiles class lists and reading lists and distributes them well before departure, in plenty of time for registration and book-buying. On occasion students are required to purchase a particular book abroad; this will be noted on the reading list and you should plan your finances accordingly. Plan on spending for books about what you would on your home campus for similar classes. The Study Abroad Office cannot purchase your books or mail them to the study center plan ahead.

Books and instructional materials for the Summer in Barcelona classes will be issued to you by International House. However, if you already have a Spanish language book, bring it with you too.

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PROGRAM CHANGE: You will be given up to two weeks after classes begin to make changes in your academic program. Then the instructors forward them to the study abroad office and no changes will be allowed after that You may drop classes as long as you remain enrolled in at least 12 units. Your instructors will have a schedule of add/drop deadlines.

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GRADES: Study Abroad classes are the same as those taken on campus at Golden West or Orange Coast. Grades are no longer mailed but are available by phone 3-4 weeks after the semester ends on campus. Call (714) 438-8247 at Orange Coast or (714) 438-8248 at Golden West. We recommend taking all classes for a letter grade, but the credit/no credit option is available for those classes taught on that basis at home.

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REGISTRATION FOR THE NEXT SEMESTER: The Study Abroad office sends, express-mail, Orange Coast and Golden West College class schedules (5 of each) to the study center as soon as they are available; unfortunately, our budget doesn't allow us to send a copy for each student, so be sure to drop by the office early to choose your classes. You stand the best chance of getting your preferred classes if you follow these instructions carefully:

  1. Arrange with someone at home to receive your pre-registration packet.
      
  2. When the class schedules arrive, telephone (don't depend on the mail) that person and give him or her your class list. Be sure to include a couple of alternate selections.
      
  3. Have the person complete the phone or mail registration process for you, including paying the required fees, if possible. Payment can be delayed but must be taken care of immediately after you get home.
      
  4. Contact the Study Abroad office if you need assistance or any part of the process is not clear.
      
  5. Remember that no special allowances are made for study abroad students so it is very important that you register on your priority registration date. The study abroad office cannot get you into closed classes.

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UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA APPLICATIONS: If you are transferring to a UC campus (or any other four-year school), be sure to pick up all relevant application forms and take them with you. You can complete the process by mail from abroad.

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