|
Cultural Crossroads:Toledo, Spain
Study Abroad and Intern through the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha
The Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, located in Toledo, Spain is offering a program in partnership with ELI Abroad set to begin Spring semester 2016.
Toledo looks like a city out of a fairy tale and you’ll feel like you stepped back in time when you join our Spring 2016 Cultural Crossroad Program in this incredibly picturesque Spanish city.
There are many study abroad programs in Spain; two key factors make this one unique.
Internships: for those with adequate language skills, you may choose from many exciting internship possibilities.
Multi-cultural studies: Toledo's unique history makes it the perfect location to study the confluence of three major Western cultures: Christianity, Islam, and Judaism.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity of a lifetime.
Historically and culturally crucial
Toledo “is the repository of more than 2,000 years of history,” declared UNESCO, naming the entire city a UNESCO World Heritage site.
And no wonder: set on a hill above the Tagus River, Toledo’s famous cathedral and majestic Alcazar, a former castle, tower over winding cobblestone streets and houses that date back centuries.
Prepare to get lost (in a good way!) in its oldest areas as you explore Toledo’s hilly, narrow pathways. And rest assured that, while this may be an historic city, it still offers plenty of 21st century pleasures, including lively restaurants, clubs and cafes.
A crossroads of religions
As an important medieval crossroads of Christianity, Islam and Judaism, Toledo is filled with churches, temples, mosques and other traces of a dynamic and diverse civilization. It’s the perfect setting for this program which focuses on multicultural coexistence and the influence of Islam, Judaism and Christianity on Spain and beyond.
It was in 13th century Toledo where crucial Arabic works of astronomy, mathematics, medicine, botany and other fields were translated into Latin, often for the first time. The importance of Islam’s impact on an intellectually lagging Europe can’t be overstated. Or, as University of Oklahoma history professor Jamil Ragep puts it, “Nothing in Europe could hold a candle to what was going on in the Islamic world until about 1600.” 1
Toledo’s well preserved medieval temples are among the many traces of the significant Jewish community in the area. In fact, the city was one of the major Jewish cultural centers before the Inquisition. Jews and Muslims were the great translators of scientific and cultural works and, together with Christians, created one of the intellectual powerhouses in pre-Renaissance Europe. Study the history of this part of the world, and Toledo’s in particular, and you’ll discover a fascinating and flourishing society marked by cultural richness, religious diversity and tolerance.
Given today’s religious and cultural clashes throughout the world, these are crucial lessons for all of us to know and embrace.
University of Castilla-La Mancha
Participants will study at the Toledo campus of the Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, a large public university (more than 28,000 undergraduates) with five other campuses in the region. The Toledo branch includes the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences, Environmental Science; Sports Science; Humanities; Nursing and Physiotherapy; Industrial Technical Engineering and Teacher Training.
As in many European universities, UCLM’s departments are located in different parts of the city, with several of them housed in attractive historic parts of Toledo.
Study abroad students will live in UCLM’s dorms (shared rooms) or, at an extra fee, with local host families. Housing is included in your program fee, as are orientation and the support services of UCLM’s international office.
Classes
Because the classes are taught in English, they’re open to anyone with an interest in the influence of Islam, Judaism and Christianity on European thought and science; in learning Spanish and in having the adventure of a lifetime.
Internships
UCLM includes a unique feature as part of this study abroad program: unpaid internships for those whose language skills are strong enough. Intrigued? Contact ELI Abroad for more information about internship requirements and placements.
Attractions around Toledo
Toledo is very centrally located, with a direct train connection to Madrid. Hop onboard, and in half an hour you’re in Spain’s cosmopolitan capital. San Lorenzo de El Escorial, an enormous one-time royal residence, and the stunning medieval cities of Cuenca and Avila also make ideal side trips from Toledo. Bottom line: you won’t be bored on your weekends or holidays!
Direct enrollment
If you’re interested in Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, but don’t want to take part in this particular study abroad program, contact ELI Abroad for help with enrolling in the school directly. Unsure which is the better option -- study abroad or direct enrollment? Call or email us for some in-person advice.
UCLM Toledo Study Abroad, Spring 2016
Program includes:
-
Enrollment and transcripts for your home school
-
Housing
-
Airport pickup
-
Orientation
-
Internship placement (if applicable)
-
Support through UCLM’s international office
-
US-based coordinators
Program does not include:
|
