SITE OF THE PROGRAM:

Segovia, designated by the United Nations one of the world's “heritage of humanity”cities (“Patrimonio de la Humanidad”), provides its rich and diverse countryside, architecture, history and warm hospitality to the Spanish Program. In Segovia students will immerse themselves in Spanish culture, art, history, politics and language. With a population of approximately 55,000 people, Segovia is much less intimidating than Spain's larger cities, is extraordinarily safe, and allows students to get comfortable in a relatively short period of time.

Historic Segovia is perched up on a hill (a limestone elevation), surrounded by its defensive walls, and gazes out at the surrounding Guadarrama mountain range. The city boasts, among other impressive treasures, its awe-inspiring Roman aqueduct, the monumental Alcázar (castle/palace), and Spain's last Gothic Cathedral which presides over the city's Plaza Mayor.

Segovia has an abundance of important churches, monasteries and convents, the old Jewish Quarter (the “Sefarat” or “Judería”) and cemetery, the mansions of the Quarter of the Nobility, and the Cathedral Minister's Quarters (“Barrio de las Conongías”). Segovia also offers the best examples of Romanesque art (“arte románico”) in all Spain-over 40 Romanesque churches!! The views are breathtaking, and the students will feel Segovia's history as they walk under the Aqueduct, up the Calle Real, by St. Michael's Church (where Isabella the Catholic was crowned Queen of Castile), and on past the Cathedral as they make their way to the Alcázar, from one historic end of the old city to the other, all in about 20-30 minutes by foot. Shaped like a ship, the Alcázar is its bow, the Cathedral tower its mainmast, and the Aqueduct is its helm. Segovia is also a short distance from Madrid, approximately 70 minutes by bus. In addition to Segovia's combination of unparalleled beauty and historic heritage, the city has relatively few students from American universities studying here, quite unlike cities such as Salamanca, Sevilla and Madrid. Finally, Segovia also has all of those things people associate with modern living: great theater, movies, modern library, museums, shops, discoteques, cafés, and bars.

Segovia is, however, more than the sum of its impressive monuments, cobblestone streets, historic feel, and the tranquil atmosphere which invites visitors to roam its narrow streets. There is also “green” Segovia, or its green belt (the “Alameda”) which makes its way around the “old” city following the course of the Eresma and Clamores rivers, and unsurprisingly passes by numerous important monuments, such as El Monasterio del Parral, the Casa de la Moneda, the Convento de las Carmelitas Descalzas (its mausoleum contains the remains of its founder, San Juan de la Cruz), and many more. Then there is “gastronomical” Segovia, where one can try the typical dishes of the region, such as “cochinillo” (roast suckling pig), “cordero asado” (roast veal), “judiones de la Granja” (big white beans from La Granja), the “sopa castellana” (Castilian soup), great sausage, “ponche segoviano” (sweet dessert pie), and much much more.

Finally, and perhaps more importantly, there are the people, accustomed to welcoming visitors-- the proud “segovianos” are wonderful hosts, and eager for you to appreciate what they love so much about the city.