The Story:

At the intersection of scholarship and adventure, you’ll find your place at the Instituto Ibérico. Take a 3-college credit course taught entirely in Spanish by a Spanish historian. Designed for native speakers and advanced learners, the program combines classroom learning and immersive field-based study across the Iberian Peninsula in Madrid, Toledo, Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. Learn about the three cultures of medieval Spain, an epoch when Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities coexisted peacefully and produced incredible intellectual, architectural, scientific and cultural achievement that influenced Spain and Europe for centuries. The neighborhoods, cathedrals, synagogues, mosques and museums of Spain’s magnificent cities become an unforgettable classroom during a summer of academic exploration and fun.

The Program:

You and your Corps group hit the ground running in Madrid. Explore royal neighborhoods, taste small plates of tapas in La Lina, practice your Spanish with locals in Retiro Park and meet your Spanish professor. Your exploration of the three cultures begins in the museums, neighborhoods and artistic venues of Madrid. Then travel South to Toledo for an intensive academic seminar. The ancient walled city of Toledo feels like a living, breathing archeological museum. Become an anthropologist as you explore diverse neighborhoods teeming with medieval Arab, Jewish and Christian monuments. During lectures, excursions and visits to iconic sites you’ll improve your academic writing and presentation skills. Your academic field exploration continues as you study Spanish history, religion and culture in Sevilla and Granada during a thrilling visit across the sun splashed cities of Southern Spain. Your course concludes with final presentations and a celebration of all of you’ve learned and experienced during your unforgettable field-based college course.

The Activities:

Orientation in Madrid

• Explore the halls and galleries of the Prado Museum
• Picnic with your professor in Retiro Park
• Taste tapas at cafes near the Royal Palace
• Walk through Old Town and Puerta del Sol

The Academic Seminar in Toledo

• Develop new academic writing and presentation skills
• Learn how Catholics, Jews and Moors coexisted peacefully and produced incredible advances in intellectual, scientific and artistic achievement
• Visit cathedrals, temples and mosques
• Work closely with your Spanish professor and teaching associate

Field Exploration & Journey’s End in Andalucía

• See the Alcazar, Plaza de España and the Barrio Santa Cruz in Sevilla
• Walk through the gardens and halls of the Alhambra in Granada
• Attend flamenco and music shows
• Working with your classmates, teaching associate and professor, present your final project
• Spend your final few days exploring Cordoba before returning to Madrid