SIUE Exchange Program

University of Alicante

 

Through our agreement with the University of Alicante, qualified SIUE undergraduate students may be nominated for a semester long exchange placement at this university located on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Courses in English include Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, Natural Sciences, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Education. There is a broad selection of  business courses taught in English... all in a native Spanish speaking environment.

Through the terms of SIUE's agreement with the University of Alicante, students may enroll in one 3 credit Spanish language course through the Centro Superior de Idiomas at the University of Alicante. The 3 credit (5 ETCS) Spanish language courses are offered at beginning through advanced levels. Exchange students interested in enrolling in additional Spanish language courses can take them on a paying basis.

To see the courses taught in English, please click this link: Courses Taught in English.

Note that courses at the University of Alicante are shown in ECTS credit. Actual credit given at SIUE for Alicante courses is determined by the SIUE faculty who certifies the equivalent SIUE course. For a rough estimate, a student can divide the ECTS credits by two to see the US equivalent.
 

 

Location

The University of Alicante (Campus of San Vicente del Raspeig) is located on the outskirts of the city of Alicante. The campus is about a 30 minute commute from downtown Alicante. You can access the University of Alicante by bus, commuter train, bike and tram that links Alicante with the campus of San Vicente del Raspeig. Watch a promotional video for the University of Alicante.(in Spanish)

Costs

Tuition: SIUE students accepted to participate in this exchange program will pay their regular SIUE tuition rate for credits taken at the University of Alicante.  SIUE tuition and the SIUE Info Technology fee will be charged to the student's SIUE bursar bill for the semester in Alicante.  Tuition (for the included courses) at the University of Alicante is waived for SIUE students under the terms of our exchange agreement. Please note there will be an additional cost if you wish to take more than the one Spanish language course that is included for exchange students.

Housing: The University of Alicante Accommodation Office assists overseas students with housing arrangements. Accommodation options include: shared flats, family accommodation and university halls of residence. The current cost for homestay housing with a family including all meals is 25 Euros per day. The apartment and student residence costs vary according to location, single or shared room and other amenities. On average, students should expect to pay from 250 Euros min. up to 500 Euros max. per month.

Health Insurance: Every student at the University of Alicante is required to present proof of medical coverage for the duration of the period of study. The medical coverage must include repatriation. SIUE students may self enroll in the SIUE-CISI International Health Insurance Plan for the duration of their stay outside the United States. The 2013/2014 cost for CISI coverage for 76-195 days is $119.03. The rates for 2014/15 have not yet been set. For more information see Health and Safety.

Additional Costs to Consider: Round trip airfare, student visa costs, meals, and personal expenses.

Student Visa for Spain & Permit to Stay

Students who do not belong to the European Union Countries must apply for a visa at the Spanish Embassy before entering Spain. Residents of the state of Illinois must apply for the student visa through the Consulate of Spain in Chicago, Illinois prior to departure. The visa is a stamp in the passport that grants permission for the individual to enter the country of Spain for a period of study longer than 90 days. Current visa application procedures require individuals to apply for the visa in person at the Consulate of Spain in Chicago.

Once in Spain, and within the 1st month of their arrival, students must apply for the study permit or 'Autorización de estancia por estudios' to be able to legally stay in Spain during their studies. The University of Alicante will assist exchange students with this process.

To Apply

Students interested in an exchange semester at the University of Alicante must first be approved by SIUE via the online SIUE study abroad application process (click apply now at the top of the  page). Subsequently, nominated students will be notified of their Username and Password required to complete the necessary University of Alicante application.  Students will then need to be accepted by the University of  Alicante. 

For more information and to discuss your suitabilty for an exchange semester placement at the University of Alicante, contact Kim Browning in the Office of International Affairs at kbrowni@siue.edu or by phone at 650-2419. This program is limited to no more than 2 students per semester or 4 students per academic year.