Zamora, Spain is located in the central northwest of Spain, boarding Portugal. It is known as the most Romanesque city in Europe. The medieval historic center has buildings dating as early as the 9th century. It is a very welcoming and traditional Castilian town. Students will strengthen their Spanish speaking skills and explore culture by living and participating in daily life as they become active community members of the town of Zamora. This capstone is fully immersive, each student will have a homestay with a local family and assigned a local language partner to practice Spanish and learn about culture. There will also be several excursions throughout the region of Castilla y León and Portugal.
Zamora the city sits upon a rocky outcropping overlooking the river Duero at an altitud of 750m (2460 ft). The province of Zamora is geographically diverse with valleys, mountains and high plain mesetas. It is a province rich in history, architecture and natural reserves. Scattered around the province are Celtic village remains "castros", Roman camps and markers, Visigoth and Romanesque monuments, numerous castles and distinctive architecture from the 8th century to Contemporary times.
Zamora celebrates the festival of San Pedro, patron saint of Zamora the last 10 days of June.
PSU students will work with three community non profit groups that provide support, advocacy and education for at risk youths of all ages. Summer programs: Pinilla and Morales del Vino offer educational and diversional activities to build confidence, knowledge and creativity for youths 6-12 years of age. "Educación de Calle" offers year long advocacy, continuing education and vocational training to at risk youths between the ages of 12-18 years of age that have dropped out of school after completing 8th grade. These youths come from varied backgrounds, the majority being from immigrant or gypsy families. All communication and instruction will be 100% in Spanish. Capstone students will learn about Spanish culture as they work in teams to help lead organized and established activities in this program.
This 4 week long Senior Capstone begins June 27th and ends July 28th. Students will be greeted at the train station by their host families and myself. That first week you will get to know your family, explore the city and get oriented to the Capstone work here in Zamora. Now more specific information about this program.
Language requirement: This is a fully immersive service learning course. It is required that you speak Spanish during your entire stay in Zamora. Students need to have at least finished all of 2nd year Spanish or test equivalent. Course work and communication during this class will be done in Spanish. Further language support will be given to students throughout the duration of the program. For information about testing contact this programs faculty member: Laura Mulas mulas@pdx.edu
What is included in the cost of this program:
- Home stay (3 meals per day/ 7 days a week)
- All meals- at home and on excursions
- Textbooks
- Excursions included in program
- Entrance fees
- Health insurance
- 6 credits for UNST 421 course
- Farewell dinner
Financial aid and scholarships can be used for this program since it is 4 weeks long, language intensive and a PSU Faculty-led program.
Capstone students will also go on several regional excursions in order to learn more about Castilian culture and society.
Tentative excursions for summer 2018: Salamanca, Puebla de Sanabria, Toro, Tordesillas, Kayak trip on the Duero river in the Arribes del Duero and Braganza, Portugal
After students are accepted to the program they will be given access to the course website which provides very detailed information about Zamora, how to arrive from the airport, what to expect (daily life), pre-trip information and checklist.
Students will generally have weekends free to take other trips with their host families or friends. Each weekend there will be optional activities planned for students, some free and others at a minimal cost.
About Laura Mulas, PSU faculty and resident direct for the Zamora program
Teaching career: I have been teaching Spanish since 2008. I created and have been running study abroad in Zamora,Spain since 2014. In June of 2016 I decided to move to Zamora, Spain. Prior to that I lived and worked in Portland, Oregon teaching full time at Lewis & Clark College. I have taught part time at PSU since 2008 to present for both the Spanish and University Studies departments. I currently teach full time online for OSU and part time for PSU throughout the year. Every summer since 2014 I direct and teach this PSU Senior Capstone (Spain: Culture and Service) and study abroad Culture and Language program for OSU.
Nationality and background: I have dual citizenship with Spain and the United States. My father is from Zamora, Spain and my family lives here. With my strong ties to Zamora I am able to offer a unique program and at a low cost with my "local" and "native" advantage. Every summer the town of Zamora is eager to meet the new students. The local paper has published several articles about our work in the community.
Other career: Prior to teaching Spanish I was a registered nurse. I began my career in Richmond, Virginia in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Virginia Commonwealth University Health System (VCU-Health System). After several years I switched to Pediatric Intensive Care and then to the Pediatric Emergency room. From there I became a Critical Care transport Nurse, both helicopter and ground. Several years later our family moved to Oregon and I became an emergency room nurse, caring for all ages at Oregon Health and Science University hospitals (OHSU).
Interested in this program? Feel free to contact me Laura Mulas mulas@pdx.edu
PSU Education Abroad Advisor: Rachel Landers Rachel Landers goffra@pdx.edu can answer your questions about how to apply and much more!
To sign up for this program go to vikingsabroad.pdx.edu To get to the program type "Zamora" in the program name box. Follow the link below:
Credits:
All photos by Laura Mulas