The Fall semester runs from September through December with the Spring semester running from January through May.

Location
Madrid, the capital of Spain since 1562, is located on the geographic center of the Iberian Peninsula. Because of its central location and high altitude, the climate is characterized by warm dry summers and cool winters.

Madrid is known as an artistic center and as a city with intense cultural activity and an active nightlife. Theater productions, concerts of all kinds, dance performances abound in the city as do bars, cafes, restaurants, and discotecas. Long-prized elements of Madrid's cultural tapestry include performances at the Auditorio Nacional de Musica, concerts by local folk singers, the breathtaking collection of paintings at the Prado and other museums and galleries, and the Rastro (flea market) where treasure hunting is a must.

The character of the madrilenos is known to be open and hospitable. Much of Madrid's social life takes place on the streets. Friends will often meet to dar un paseo (take a walk) or tomar una copa (have a drink) at a local bar. People sit for hours over one cup of coffee in a cafe, and dinner at restaurants can last well past midnight -- conversation is an art form among Spanish people. Madrid is also a city made up of immigrants from diverse origins, and this fact means that no one feels like a stranger for long!

Curriculum
Each program of the CEHAN covers a different area: Spanish Studies, the Spanish language and culture; European Studies, the European Community and Spain in the context of the European Community; Spanish and Business, the Spanish economy, and the Spanish language. The European Studies and Spanish and Business programs are for those students who have advanced Spanish fluency.

Costs
The basic cost of the program at CEHAN is roughly equivalent to that of Meredith with the addition of the round-trip airfare. All federal, state, and college financial assistance (except work study) is applicable to the semester or year program.

Housing
Students have choice of homestays or dorms. However, the majority of past Meredith students have chosen the homestay option for the cultural experience.

Eligibility
Meredith students may enroll in one of the three programs listed above. For enrollment in European Studies and Spanish and Business, advanced placement in both written and spoken Spanish is mandatory. Each student, regardless of program or length of time (semester or year), will enroll in the one month orientation program designed to improve language proficiency.

Deadline for Applications
Contact Dr. Vilma Concha