Is a student Visa required?
Yes - Contact your local Spanish Consulate or Embassy now to find out the specific requirements. You can locate the Spanish Consulate nearest you (www.spainemb.org/ingles/indexing.htm) and contact them via mail or by fax to find out their specific requirements. It sounds more complicated than it is -- just give yourself enough time to apply and get the documentation together. If you are serious about studying abroad, you should begin that process now, as many times the only way to get in touch with your embassy / consulate is by mail. Once you have applied for the Adelante program, been accepted and paid your Tuition, we give you an Acceptance Letter, written in Spanish and addressed to your Consulate, that will enable you to obtain the Student Visa you need for this program (for any program, for that matter, longer than 3 months duration in Spain). Click here for more information on visas.

Is airfare included?
No - You are responsible for your own airfare. We recommend www.travelocity.com or www.studentuniverse.com.

Is airport pick-up included?
Yes - The Adelante Program Coordinator, Ignacio Noguer, will meet you at the airport and take you to your host families house. If you have chosen the Independent Living option (ask for price difference) he will still meet you at the airport and take you to the hotel or other lodging you have arranged. For friends and family arriving in Seville, a taxi to the center of Seville from the airport is around 13 - 14 Euros (about $13) and to the University is around 20 Euros (about $19).

Is lodging included?
Yes - Lodging is either with a Sevillian family or in a Residencia, depending on where you want to live and availability. Both options are offered either in Seville city center or near the University. The University is about 5 miles outside of Seville city center, along a wide, new Freeway it is the first offramp. If you elect to live in Seville center, plan on taking a bus daily to your classes (about $40 a month for a "BonoBus" pass that lets you ride as frequently as you like on the cities good and fairly prompt bus system). There is also an Independent living option for this program, whereby you are responsible for finding your own housing. The price is lower and we suggest that you plan on about 2 - 3 weeks saying in a hostal or hotel while finding your own housing. We can also help you with free newspapers where rooms for rent are listed, with rental companies we have used in the past, advice on good areas of the city, counsel on where to look for shared room, etc. Ask for price difference.

Is there Adelante staff on hand to assist with any questions or other issues during my time in the program?
Yes - There is an English-speaking Adelante Program Coordinator named Ignacio Noguer, born and raised in Seville and who has lived in the untied States (Boston) for 8 years recently. He will maintain office hours at the University 2 - 3 days per week and will also attend both the Orientation Week and all excursions that are included in the program. He will also meet you at the airport or train station upon your arrival in Seville, regardless of the housing option you choose (Adelante family home stay or Independent Living option). Further, he organizes and advises you of monthly update and informational meetings in and around Seville for Adelante candidates - these meetings are optional but recommended.

Will I receive transcripts at the end of my Adelante Semester or Summer Study Abroad Program?
Yes – Transcripts from our internationally accredited participating university abroad are included in the program price.  Upon successful completion of your Adelante Semester or Summer Study Abroad program, official, fully transferable and sealed transcripts will be issued, in your name, to the Adelante HQ offices in California.  We will then contact you and request where you would like these to be mailed.

Can I receive academic credit for participating in this study program?
Yes – Using the included, fully transferable Transcripts (see question above),  candidates can choose to receive credit for participating in an Adelante Semester or Study Abroad program. It is advisable to make sure that the international coursework offered by and applied for with Adelante will be accepted by your home University, if you wish the credit to be applied to your current studies.  Adelante can provide course lists and course descriptions and syllabi, as needed to assist with this process.

Do I have to be enrolled in a college or university to participate?
Not at all - This program is open to students, and it is also open to recent graduates. It is also open to people who simply want to live in Spain and learn the language and culture of this fascinating country.

Do I need a student visa?
Yes - Because the semester is over 3.5 months long and you are only allowed 90 days on a U.S. passport, you do need to apply for a student visa prior to arriving in Spain. Once you pay for the program in full by the Enrollment Deadline, we will provide you with the letter needed to obtain your student visa from the Spanish embassy or consulate nearest you. (You will also need to provide the embassy or consulate with a medical certificate saying you are in good health, free of contagious disease, drug addiction and mental illness. These items must be specified and the letter must be signed by a Medical Doctor. The cost for the visa is a $45 processing fee & can take several weeks)

Are there any kind of organized sports and / or sports facilities?
Yes - A Sports ID Card is included in the program (you'll need to provide 2 passport sized photos), and to join the gym is about $11 per month or $22 for 3 months. There are Intramural sports organized for indoor soccer, basketball, softball and table tennis.

Will I be able to use a computer / access the internet?
Yes - Participants in this program have regular access to a modern computer lab with internet access.

Are there any extracurricular activities or trips planned?
Yes - There are 4 events per Semester organized, ranging from a boat ride down the Guadalquivir to an outing at the theatre in Seville. We recommend these activities as they enhance language acquisition and give you a chance to see the many aspects of Seville and the surrounding areas.

Can I contact a past or existing Adelante candidate as a reference?
Yes - Please take a look at our Online Community site to see entries from our candidates past and present. This site is a live resource Adelante created based on requests from our candidates.  It is a useful tool for anyone looking to participate in our program or any other trip abroad.

My friend and I would like to do the program together. Can we live in the same housing?
Yes - - Usually we can accommodate a request for candidates to live together. It will be dependent on availability, so the sooner your completed application packets are received, the better chance you have of being able to live together.

Do I have to have insurance?
YES - It is strongly recommended that you have insurance. More and more participating companies and institutions abroad are asking for proof of medical and accident insurance and our various Directors in-country also may ask you for proof of insurance (usually a copy of your insurance card showing dates and coverage is valid). You can use coverage you already have or coverage that someone else carries for you, or you can purchase coverage just for our program. You can also buy insurance online once you arrive in Spain. In the past, we have referred people to Arizona-based ASA, Inc. - they can customize a plan for you based on details you provide. (see our 'Links' page for more information). Tell them that Adelante sent you for a small discount 888-272-8288. Another carrier is Insurance Services of America also based in Arizona. They can be reached at 800-647-4589.

Another possibility is purchasing insurance once in Spain. Two companies are Mapfre Insurance Co. and Sanitas www.sanitas.es. The cost is about $45 - $50US per month. Basic medical and accident insurance is all you need. You may have to take out a year policy, pay month by month and stop when you are ready to go home.

 Are only Americans admitted to this program?
No - Our only requirement is that you speak English, to be able to communicate with both Adelante Headquarters and our in-country staff who are required to speak both their native language and English. We have placed candidates from all over the world, including Britain, Japan, Australia,  India, Canada and more. Please check any visa requirements for your nationality.