Location

Barcelona, Seville, Spain

Program Description

This program will explore Spain’s rich cultural heritage along with its complex social relations in two Spanish cities: Barcelona and Seville.

The program will start in Barcelona, the capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia. Delving into Barcelona’s modern and cosmopolitan vibe, students will appreciate Barcelona’s modern architecture influenced by such avant-garde luminaries such as Gaudí and Picasso. We will enjoy guided visits to the Gothic Quarter and the Picasso Museum in Barcelona.

We then depart via highspeed train to beautiful Seville where our program will be centered. Located in the Andalusian region of Spain, Seville has long served as a crossroad for many peoples providing an ideal location to explore the sociological processes affecting contemporary Spanish society. In Seville, students will appreciate the majestic splendor of Seville’s Cathedral, the largest Gothic Cathedral in the world. We will visit the Real Alcazar, a Royal Palace still in use by the Spaniards monarchs.

From Seville, there will be a study trip to the Roman site of Itálica (with its majestic amphitheater and beautifully preserved mosaics) and to the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Great Mosque/Cathedral of Córdoba along with a cultural trip to the beautiful beach city of Cadiz.

Overall, this program will provide the necessary perspective for understanding contemporary Spain’s complex social dynamics. Students will engage in classroom-based learning, experiential learning, guided tours, and field experiences. In addition to interacting with locals, participants will visit archaeological, historical, and cultural sites reflecting Spain’s rich diversity.

This is a 3 credit program where you could choose between the following courses:

• SOCI 110: Social Issues in a Global Context *
• SOCI 363: Sociology of Culture**
• SOCI 391: Study Abroad**

*Fulfills SOCI Major/Minor requirements and the ‘Global Experience’ requirement in the American and Global Perspectives area of JMU’s GenEd.

 **Fufills SOCI & ANTH Major/Minor requirements.

 Open to all majors and non-JMU students!

Important Dates and Information:

• Mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation Meeting February 28, 2025. The overseas program starts on Wednesday, May 21, 2025 at 7:00 pm (Spain Time) in Barcelona. The overseas program ends on Thursday, June 5, 2025 at 12:00 noon. Students will depart to the USA on this date and time from Seville. Course final projects must be submitted on Canvas by Friday, June 20, 2025 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Time).
• Participants will need a valid passport by February 20, 2025.
• Transportation:
  • Ground transportation when necessary for activities/excursions included in the program.
  • Train tickets from Barcelona to Seville on May 25, 2025, including transportation to and from the train stations.
  • One (1) Barcelona public transportation card per participant.
  • Transportation not included:
    • Airline tickets from the USA to Barcelona, Spain, and from Seville, Spain to the USA are not included.
    • Airport pick-up and drop-off are not included.

Location Description

Come with us to Barcelona and Seville to explore Spain’s diverse cultural heritage! This program will provide the necessary perspective for understanding modern day Spain’s complex social dynamics.

In Barcelona, we will explore Barcelona’s outstanding landscape influenced by geniuses such as Gaudí and Picasso. We will enjoy guided visits to the Gothic Quarter and the Picasso Museum in Barcelona. Then, we will take the highspeed train to Seville. Located in Andalusian region, Seville has long served as a crossroad for many peoples. Thus, it provides the ideal location to explore the sociological processes affecting contemporary Spanish society.

In Seville, we will visit its majestic Gothic Cathedral and the Real Alcazar, current palace for the Spaniards monarchs. From Seville, we will have study trips to the Roman site of Itálica (with its majestic amphitheater and beautifully preserved mosaics). We will also visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of the Great Mosque/Cathedral of Córdoba along with a cultural trip to the beautiful beach city of Cadiz.

These ethnically diverse regions possess rich cultural traditions that include flamenco dancing, spirited festivals, unique cuisine, and language. Students will engage in experiential learning, guided tours, classroom-based learning, guest lectures, and field experiences. Students will visit the Roman site of Itálica, birthplace of Emperors Trajan and Hadrian. Students will also enjoy the splendor of the Andalusian Moorish heritage and architecture. At the Royal Alcazar, participants will walk through historic and marvelously decorated corridors that reflect the region’s multifaceted racial and ethnic composition.

Director

Yamilette Chacon | chaconyd@jmu.edu | Sociology and Anthropology

Accommodations

Four (4) nights lodging at the Beyoo Marina residence in Barcelona with single rooms and private bathrooms. In Seville, accommodations for 11 nights in double/triple rooms at a homestay, including laundry once per week will be provided. Wi-Fi will be available at every homestay. Housing accommodations are centrally located, and public transportation is easily accessible.

The Welcome dinner at a local restaurant in Barcelona is provided. From May 22nd to May 25th breakfasts are included at the hotel in Barcelona. All meals (breakfast/lunch/dinner) are included at homestay in Seville. The Farewell lunch at the cooking class in Seville is also included. Special dietary needs (gluten-free, lactose-free, vegan, vegetarian, etc.) may require an additional fee and are subject to availability. Meals not included: Students should plan to cover the cost of three (3) dinners in Barcelona. Students should also plan to cover the cost of three to four (3-4) lunches in Barcelona, one (1) lunch in Cordoba, one (1) lunch in Cadiz.

Additional Items to Consider

Participants should be able to engage in moderate walking on uneven surfaces.

All activities/lectures will be conducted in English. No previous Spanish language experience is necessary.

PASSPORTS & VISAS
If you do not have a passport, apply for one immediately! Participants must have a valid passport in their possession no later than February 20, 2025.

U.S. Citizens: 
To travel to Spain, you need a valid passport. If you have a passport, verify that it will be valid: 
(1) through your Spain travel dates and 
(2) for at least six months after your travel to Spain concludes.

If your passport is invalid, apply for one immediately! It can take up to 4-6 weeks to receive your passport. Expedited service requires about 2-3 weeks. The U.S. State Department’s website provides details on passports and current processing times: http://travel.state.gov or you may also inquire via telephone at (877) 487-2778.

If you travel to Spain for less than three months, you do not require a visa.

Non-U.S. citizens should contact the appropriate government agency in their home country for relevant passport and visa information. The best place to start is the Spanish consulate in your home city.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must have a GPA minimum of 2.0

Open to all majors and class levels, including graduate students.

Non-JMU students are welcome!