Get ready for an unforgettable experience, get to know your new hometown, and your new neighbors while having lots of fun! The principle is simple: expand your cultural learning opportunities beyond the classroom. Field trips merge together the fun of traveling with an academic focus on the place you are visiting. We have a wide range of activities available to everyone and catering to all interests. The number of participants on each field trip is limited and registration is first-come, first served. You will register for field trips on-site. In general, the cost of any course-related trip as...

IES Abroad Area Studies Courses IES Abroad academic courses are designed to enhance your engagement in the intellectual, political, cultural, and social institutions of Japan. IES Abroad courses are taught by experts in the field, and course-related trips are integrated with in-class course work. The IES Abroad Tokyo Center offers several 3-credit, Japan-focused area studies courses each semester. Each of the area studies courses are taught in English and meet once a week for three hours. This format is more seminar-style than lecture, and you will need to make sure you adjust to this format...

Internships If you require an internship as part of your semester abroad, please reach out to your IES Abroad Program Advisor as soon as possible. Internships offer a unique, real-world experience combined with professional skill building and cultural immersion. While we have a selection of internship placements that only require English, some fields require an intermediate or advanced level of Spanish. It is your responsibility to research and understand your current college or university's policies with regards to earning credit for an internship before you apply for one. To apply for an...

You are required to enroll in 15-19 credits per semester. Your program offers five ways to earn academic credit: IES Abroad Spanish language course (required, 5 or 7 credits each) IES Abroad area studies courses in English or Spanish (optional, 3 credits each) IES Abroad language workshops (optional, 1 credit each) English- or Spanish-taught courses at partner universities (optional, 1.5-4 credits each) Community-based learning placement and seminar, in Spanish (optional, 3 credits, fall only)* *Please note that placement options vary depending on level of Spanish, and require an FBI...

Your IES Abroad Salamanca program begins the on the official arrival date with mandatory orientation sessions. Orientation will introduce you to many aspects of life in Salamanca. Orientation includes walking tours of the city, discussions about Salamanca student life, and health and safety. You will also acquaint yourself with the IES Abroad staff and your peers. All of the academic opportunities and registration options will be presented at this time including the language placement assessment, orientation Spanish language course, and registration for IES Abroad and partner university...

Plan to arrive in Madrid no later than 10:30 am on the official arrival date to allow time to go through customs, retrieve your luggage, and meet up with the group. IES Abroad Salamanca staff will arrange an airport pick up service which will take place at Adolfo Suárez Madrid–Barajas Airport International Airport (MAD) in Madrid. If you miss the airport pickup, you will be responsible for getting to Salamanca and to your housing on your own. The IES Abroad Salamanca staff cannot wait for you as the pick-up service must remain on schedule. We will meet students at both terminals (T1 and T4) at...

The IES Abroad Tokyo Centers offers a unique opportunity for students to do a Field Placement at Japanese organizations throughout the semester as part of the SO/AN 391 Social Organization of Japan with Field Placement course. This is NOT an internship. You will be observing a Japanese organization for 8-10 hours every Wednesday in addition to attending the 3-hour SO/AN 391 seminar course that meets every other Thursday. Students with more advanced Japanese-language level may also be able to participate in certain office tasks. This Field Placement requires a serious commitment from all...

The Course Preregistration Form must be filled out in order for IES Abroad to start preparing for your course schedule. As class sizes are limited for most IES Abroad courses, Course Preregistration Forms will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. Please obtain course approval from your current college or university for all courses you intend to take before your departure, especially if you intend to fulfill specific degree requirements with those courses. Please note: The Course Preregistration Form can only be completed once. All subsequent changes will take place upon your...

IES Abroad Mandatory Orientation Upon arrival in Japan you will participate in the mandatory IES Abroad Tokyo Center orientation designed to support your adjustment in Japan. Your classes will not begin until orientation has concluded. During the orientation, you will take a Japanese language test that will determine your final placement into the language course that most closely corresponds to your language abilities. You will also receive more in-depth information about Japanese customs, the transportation systems in Tokyo, official course registration, health care, and safety. Take a look...