Rio Hondo College students will have the opportunity to study abroad during the Spring semester of 2023. The capital of Spain, Madrid, is where students will spend 12 weeks enriching themselves with knowledge and learning about Spanish culture and its cultural heritage. 

Rio Hondo College is offering this new program, run through nearby Citrus College, to students interested in broadening their horizons who also successfully meet the necessary requirements to participate in this opportunity.

Requirements

Students who want to be part of the program must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in 12 units or more at an accredited college, have to enroll in 12 units in spring 2023, and the student must be at least 18-years-old when the program begins. 

If the student meets all the requirements, the next step is to apply to the Southern California Foothills Consortium study abroad program with the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) and complete the AIFS application. After completing the application, students will be provided with more information, as well as the next steps.

Faculty and Courses

First, study abroad students will be enrolled in different general education classes to satisfactorily meet each student’s educational plan. In addition, the courses will be taught by professors from Rio Hondo College, Citrus College, Cuyamaca College and local Spanish instructors. 

Some of the courses that students may enroll in are: 

SPAN 127 – Spanish Civilization, 

SPAN 101 – Spanish I, 

SOC 114 – Marriage, Family, and Intimate Relations

SOC 201 – Introduction to Sociology

ENGL 280 – Introduction to Women’s Literature

ENGL 291 -Film as Literature, among other classes. 

The full list is on the Citrus College website. At the same time, students will also be able to choose an online course while abroad.

Fees and Scholarships

According to the official website of this program, Citrus College, based on an enrollment of 45-64 participants, the fee per person is $8,245. The program includes accommodation in student apartments or homestays, a Metro de Madrid pass for unlimited travel on metro, bus and trams in central zones, orientation program in Madrid, in addition to other tourist activities in the city.

This fee does not include airfare, meals other than those listed, which are breakfast daily and dinner five nights per week, personal expenses, and additional trips or excursions organized by the course professors.

However, there are scholarships available that you can apply for, for example, the AIFS Ambassador Scholarship​, the Gilman scholarship. Additionally, you can check with the college’s financial aid page for more information about internal or external scholarships.

Program Deadlines

The $450 registration deposit deadline is Nov. 23, 2022

Total balance due on Dec. 23, 2022

Mandatory orientation on Jan. 21, 2023

US Department: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023

Arrival in Madrid: Friday, Feb. 17, 2023

Departure from Madrid: Saturday, May 13, 2023

For more info, please contact Professor Rebecca Green at [email protected].