Program terms: Full Academic Year, Spring
Restrictions: Vanderbilt applicants only
Type of Program: Direct University Enrollment
Costs: Budget Sheets
Academic Calendar: Extends into Summer Months
Key Dates:

Term	Application Deadline	Program Dates
Full Academic Year 2025	02/17/2025	To be determined

What is CASA?

CASA is a consortium of leading comprehensive research universities including Vanderbilt University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Harvard University, Johns Hopkins University, Northwestern University, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Melbourne, and the University of Pennsylvania. CASA focuses on offering rigorous, high-quality study abroad opportunities in select locations around the world.

At a Glance

This program is administered by the Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA), a partnership of Ivy Plus universities including Vanderbilt. CASA Granada offers the opportunity for students at all levels of Spanish language proficiency to expand their horizons through a combination of rigorous academic studies, traditional immersion programming, and innovative experiential activities.

CASA Granada is an immersive Spanish language program that provides students the opportunity to hone their Spanish language skills while enrolling directly in courses at the University of Granada, one of Europe’s oldest universities. In addition to the stellar academic program, CASA Granada students can also take advantage of STEM research placements at the University of Granada and other internship opportunities, and can partake in cultural and social activities to assist them in better understanding the history and culture of Spain. The program's goal is for students to engage with the local and university communities in meaningful and collaborative ways that will have lasting implications for their formation as global citizens. Vanderbilt students may apply to the University Studies program or the Translating and Interpreting program.

Students wishing to enroll in CASA Granada must have completed SPAN 3303, or four or more other SPAN courses at the 3000-level. Applicants must have SPAN 3303 on their transcript in order to receive credit toward the Literature distribution of the Spanish major/minor. Students should be sure to check the external section of their Vanderbilt transcript to verify any transfer or AP credit on their record. Students should consult the Undergraduate Course Catalogue for details and limitations. Contact the GEO advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies in Spanish with questions. 

Academics

Depending on their level of Spanish, students will have two options for enrolling in CASA Granada:

University Studies Program. Students will take a course at Granada’s Center for Modern Languages (CLM), which will prepare them for the challenges of undertaking academic study in a different university system and academic culture. Students will also enroll in four to five courses at the University of Granada. Students may choose from courses offered by the following colleges at the university:

Faculty of Philosophy and Letters
Faculty of Sciences
Faculty of Economics and Business
Faculty of Political Science and Sociology
Faculty of Education Sciences

Note that University of Granada courses may be limited in space availability and/or may require prerequisites. Students should come up with a preliminary list of eight to ten courses per semester that can then be narrowed down to a final course load of 24 ECTS credits, which generally equates to four courses.

Translating and Interpreting Program. Students with exceptional Spanish language skills have the opportunity to directly enroll in a special program at the University of Granada’s Faculty of Translation and Interpretation (“Traductores"). Traductores offers the widest range of linguistic coursework in Spain, and is renowned for its rigor in preparing students to translate and interpret at a professional level. After a course at Granada’s Center for Modern Languages (CLM) to prepare them for the challenges of undertaking academic study in a different university system and academic culture, students will enroll in a full semester (generally four courses) at Traductores. A complete list of courses can be found here.

Areas of Study

Accounting, Anthropology, Arabic and Islamic Studies, Archaeology, Biblical Hebrew, Bilingual Education, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Business Administration, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Chinese, Classics, Comparative Literature, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Early Education, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Engineering Management, English Studies, Environmental Sciences, Finance, French Studies, Geography, Geology, Greek, Hebrew, History, History and Science of Music, History of Art, Interpretation, Italian, Latin, Linguistics, Literary Studies, Marketing, Mathematics, Optometry, Pedagogy, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Primary Education, Russian, Sociology, Spanish, Statistics, Tourism, Translation

University of Granada	Vanderbilt Grade Equivalents
9.0-10	A
8.0-8.99	A-
7.6-7.99	B+
7.0-7.59	B
6.6-6.99	B-
6.0-6.59	C+
5.6-5.99	C
5.0-5.59	C-
0-4.99	F

Special Immersive Opportunities

Internships: CASA Granada students have the option to apply for non-credit-bearing internship opportunities made available by special arrangements with various departments and research institutes at the University of Granada, and with other local non-profit organizations. Placements are based on students’ academic interests, time commitment, previous experience and language levels, and on availability (which may fluctuate each semester).

Examples of where these practical experiences can take place include the Office of Internationalization at the University of Granada (UGR), International Relations offices at the various UGR Faculties, The Institute for Peace and Conflict, The Sephardic Memorial Center, The UGR School of Education Science, The Alhambra (in collaboration with UGR departments).

Students must apply for an internship well in advance of their program start date. All internships are undertaken in addition to a full academic course load and require a serious level of commitment.

STEM Research Internships: STEM students admitted to the CASA Granada program have the exciting opportunity to apply for research assistantships at the University of Granada. CASA students accepted into this unique program will be paired with UGR graduate students in their respective fields of study. CASA students work closely with UGR graduate students and faculty, acquiring hands-on experience in research labs at UGR or health sciences research labs while contributing their English skills in the revision of articles and posters.

Interested students must apply for the assistantship well in advance of their program start date. Students should contact the CASA Granada staff as soon as they are accepted into a CASA Granada program and confirm their participation, so that appropriate placements can be identified.

Volunteering: There are numerous opportunities for students to engage in volunteer activities in the city of Granada: in local schools, homeless shelters, charitable organizations, etc. CASA Granada staff will assist students in securing an opportunity that fits their interests and experiences.

Research: Students have the opportunity to undertake a research project focused on the topic of Historical Memory.

Student Life

Located in the southeast of Andalusia at the foot of Sierra Nevada, Granada is a stunning city with a wealth of opportunities to keep students engaged. Granada is a contrast between old and new, offering rich historic sites and contemporary amenities. The area surrounding Granada offers opportunities for activities beyond the city, including the opportunity to ski at one of Spain’s best resorts or enjoy the tropical climate and beautiful beaches of the nearby Mediterranean Sea.

The CASA Granada Center is located in the very center of the city, offering easy access to the University of Granada. It is housed in the 18th century Palacio de la Jarosa.

In addition to excursions to locations such as Madrid, Barcelona (or Bilbao), and Morocco, expect walking tours with expert faculty, cooking classes with local chefs, and a wide range of outdoor activities. Students can hike out of the city, mountain bike along trails behind the Alhambra, ski on the Sierra Nevada, and sail on the Mediterranean Sea with trained and friendly group leaders from the Center for Modern Languages.

After the orientation period at the beginning of the program, all activities will be conducted entirely in Spanish.

Housing

Most students will live in homestays with Spanish host families, within a 20-minute walk from school. Students can expect to be immersed in Spanish language, cultural norms, and cuisine. Laundry service is provided, as is internet access. There is no curfew, only an expectation of common courtesy and open communication. CASA students may sometimes also have another international student living in the home alongside them, allowing for the opportunity to meet another person and learn/adapt in an international context.

Subject to limited availability, serious students may be able to live alongside University of Granada students in centrally located residence halls. These housing placements include a full meal plan. The application process for such housing generally includes an interview.

Location

Granada is a city of stunning beauty. With a Moorish legacy dating back centuries, the city's Muslim influence can still be felt throughout its streets and many historic monuments, quarters, gardens, and plazas - particularly as one ambles through the ancient streets in its oldest quarter, the Albaicín. In contrast to Muslim Granada are the Renaissance and Baroque influences of the Christian era. The artistic wealth of the city, combined with its vast cultural heritage, has inspired renowned poets, playwrights and musicians throughout the centuries. The area surrounding Granada is rich in attractions, including options to ski at one of Spain’s best resorts or enjoy the tropical climate and beautiful beaches of the nearby Mediterranean Sea.

The University of Granada, founded in 1531 by the Emperor Charles V, is one of the oldest universities in Europe. Its Islamic roots go back to the original Palacio de la Madraza, founded in 1349 by Sultan Yusuf I. For almost 500 years, the university has been a clear exponent of historical, intellectual and cultural tradition and an important center of education in Europe. Today, it is a comprehensive research university with stunning architecture that spans the 16th century to the present. Ranked number two in Spain according to the 2016 ARWU-Shanghai Ranking, the UGR is internationally recognized for its excellence in research in several scientific fields, boasts over 400 research groups across university departments, and has 12 research institutes. It is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world for computer science research. With seven campuses, over 60,000 students, and a vast range of courses offered, the University of Granada is one of the largest universities in Spain.

For more information, visit program homepage.

Fact Sheet

Housing: Dormitory, Homestay
Minimum GPA: 3
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language prerequisite: Yes
Additional prerequisites: N/A
Costs: Budget Sheets
Student contacts: Peer alumni

Photo: View from the Alhambra, Granada, Spain, courtesy of Erin Nicole Baldwin