The Opportunity of a Lifetime

85% of Marywood Foreign Language majors are able to enjoy the rich experience of traveling, living and studying abroad. Since 1987, Marywood has enjoyed a collaborative agreement with the Institute of Spanish Studies in Valencia, Spain, and each year students study there. You can choose this or another accredited program in Europe or Latin America. Programs are available for a summer, a semester or an academic year. Your classmates, professors and Marywood alumni can help you select the ideal program for you.

What Students Are Saying

My time in Sevilla, Spain really helped my Spanish.

"My time in Sevilla, Spain really helped my Spanish. Even though I could only go for two weeks, I got the opportunity to hear native speakers and understand the culture significantly better. As a speech-language pathology major studying abroad during the school year is basically impossible, but going for a short time in the summer fit my schedule perfectly. My time in Sevilla was great, because of the friends I made, the places I visited, and my rekindled love for learning Spanish."

-- Emily Osborne

¡Lee sobre mi experiencia en Valencia! Read my blog about my semester in Valencia, Spain!

-- Melanie

"Studying abroad is one of the best ways to learn a language. Going abroad in the summer helped me easily finish my Spanish Minor given the coursework Pre-PA's have during the semester. As a Physician Assistant working in this area of the US, I will be able to provide better care to a broader spectrum of patients with my increased understanding of the Spanish language that came with my time spent abroad in Valencia."

-- Jeanne Russo

"Valencia fue increíble. Fue una maravillosa experiencia de aprendizaje. He aprendido mucho sobre la sociedad y la cultura de España y he aprendido mucho sobre mí misma. Los habitantes de España son muy buenos y el ambiente y las vistas son bonitas. No sólo tenía un tiempo increíble, yo también tenía una familia increíble! Mi profesor de la ISS era una maravilla tambien. Fue una oportunidad increíble y creo que me he beneficiado enormemente de ella. Mis habilidades de habla mejoraron drásticamente de estudiar allí y vivir con una familia de habla española. Antes de salir de Valencia, que ya estaba tratando de hacer planes para volver. España es simplemente increíble."

-- Kasey Lynn

"I don't know how to sum up my entire experience in just a few words, but regardless, I'll try. My trip this summer to Valencia to study abroad for one summer semester was unbelievable. It was amazing how completely different the culture and way of living is to ours. You can be so incredibly blind and clueless to other's living around the world without being aware of it. Through this program I was not only able to learn the culture, language, and history, but I was able to become familiar with the people themselves. Everything about Valencia was welcoming and people-orientated. Everyone was friendly and sociable; they were excited to talk to Americans and learn English. Therefore, I constantly met and/or spent time with new individuals and Spanish natives. Also, I had the opportunity to visit other villages and cities within Spain through the institute and on my own time. It was great to have the chance to travel and explore other places while I studied abroad. It was an unforgettable experience and I plan on possibly returning next summer to continue learning about the country, culture, and people."

-- Whitney Vargas

"Studying in Valencia for a month over the summer was an experience that has impacted me in too many ways to count; from the new people I met to the delicious food I ate and the adventures I shared. Valencia will always hold a special place in my heart. Living in a different country for a month not only helped me to become a well-rounded person, but it also took me out of my comfort zone, and this will definitely benefit me in my future career as a physician assistant."

-- Mackenzie Goodwin

"My travels to France have really made me more confident in speaking the language. It’s really neat to now see pictures of places in text books or class and say, “Hey! I’ve been there!” I believe my travels have really influenced the way that I now look at learning languages. Now I can’t wait to discover more of the world."

-- Melanie Kobela