Summer Programs

The BSA Summer program is open to all students regardless of their level of Spanish proficiency. Through the University of Granada’s CLM, we offer courses for students from beginner to advanced levels. In order to know this level and program offering, all students prior to their arrival, take a placement test.

The Summer program runs only in June and students can earn up to 7 credits. Students receive an official academic transcript from the University of Granada at the end of the month. Moreover, the BSA Summer Program starts with a short Orientation to facilitate students integration in the city and culture.

Program offerings

Intensive Language Program

This program is open to students of all levels of Spanish who wish to focus on improving their reading, writing and speaking skills. Students receive four hours of Spanish language instruction daily, for a total of 80 hours of instruction.

Summer Language and Culture Program in Spanish

Students complete 90 hours of class instruction during the summer program. This program is designed for students who want to have a first contact with a new culture or who cannot spend a whole semester abroad. Students must have completed their third semester of a college-level Spanish course to apply. Among the options, they can take one Spanish language course and one content course such as Art, Spanish Civilization, History, Internships, etc., or they can choose two content courses. Take a look at the options here.

Summer Language and Culture Program in English

This program is designed for students with no or a low level of Spanish who still want to spend a short period of time immersed in Spanish culture. Students enrolled in this program have access to credit-bearing courses such as Spanish & Latin American Economies, Ecology & the Environment in Spain, or International Marketing. Even though there is no language requirement to participate in this program, Best Steps Abroad highly recommends that students have at least one semester of Spanish in order to better integrate into the culture and life of Granada. You can take a look at the options here.

Pride & Memory Summer Program

This program is designed for all students who wish to gain a deeper understanding of Spain’s journey towards social equality and inclusion, the political movements that shaped this progress, and the role of art and culture in defining contemporary LGBTQIA+ identity in the country. English is the language of instruction, so it is open to all students regardless of their level of Spanish. However, Best Steps Abroad highly recommends that students have at least one semester of Spanish in order to better integrate into the culture and life of Granada. Apply here.

Summer Internship Program

This program is designed for students who wish to participate in an internship abroad while improving their Spanish. During a summer program, the internships available are in Business, Social Organizations, Health Centers, Law, and Tourism & Culture. Students must have completed their third semester of a college-level Spanish course to apply for Social Organizations internships (B1.1). For Business and Health Centers, they need to have completed their fifth semester of a college-level Spanish course (B2.2). Please check the level equivalence below.

Short term programs (STP)

BSA can arrange short-term or faculty-led programs for universities and colleges. One example is a program that combines an experiential learning opportunity in Granada with a Spanish language class. Students attend at least a 2‑week (40-hour) intensive Spanish language course at the CLM, along with lectures, activities and visits to different sites. Students do not need to have a specific level of Spanish to attend this course. Since this is a customized program, the number of credits granted will depend on the length of the language course. Let us know if you need more information.

Access the application.

BSA Additionals

BSA Granada Cultural (for an optional extra credit)

We want our students to learn about and understand the most significant aspects of the culture of Spain and Granada. We believe that through a “learning by doing” methodology, we can encourage student interaction and discussion in class of the topics we introduce through different lectures. Examples include olive oil, tapas and flamenco.
BSA offers its students complementary activities related to some of these topics. In this way, students have the opportunity to attend a flamenco performance or participate in an olive oil tasting.

BSA Language labs or “Tutorías” (no credit beared)

Students have weekly language labs to support their classes, either to reinforce what they learn in class or to address gaps in their language learning. Some labs focus on Grammar, others on Conversation or Production, etc. Students can also request open hours for specific questions or interests.

This table shows the equivalence of levels according to the UGR – CLM and the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

And this picture shows the equivalences between the CEFR ACTFL according to Martinez Baztan, A. (2008)