Program Overview
The ISU on the Mediterranean summer program takes place in the sunny coastal city of Valencia, Spain. Valencia is a part of Spain’s world-renowned Costa Blanca (White Coast)—a coastal community with a wide stretches of white sandy beaches surrounded by mountainous terrain and green orchards that provides an exceptional location for a summer program. Valencia offers thriving industries that include tourism, citrus fruits, garden produce, manufacturing, shipping and fishing. The city boasts a natural harbor, a stunning sailing pastime, major summer festivals, and a special urban life mixed with the laid-back living of the Mediterranean. Valencia’s Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance architecture in the old quarter matches well with the sheek ultra modern structures of Santiago Calatrava’s City of Arts and Sciences. As host of the America’s Cup Sailing Championship series in 2007 and 2010 – as well as the home to the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Europe (2009-2012) – Valencia offers students a chance to learn about the world’s most important sailing and race competitions. Valencia also is known for a wide variety of entertainment possibilities, including a lively night life, spectacular beaches and numerous water sports which you will experience first hand during your stay. The city’s major high speed rail station and busy airport allow students easy access to destinations throughout Spain and Europe.
What’s next?
- Attend an upcoming Information Session with Julie Whilhelm.x: TBD
- Check out the Quick Facts below ↓
- Browse the Program Calendar
Read about the program!
Don’t take our word for it- check out these great pieces on the Valencia program!
- Read Prof. Steve Rodermel’s article (PDF) from the Des Moines Register
- Check out this article in Link, the LAS magazine for alumni and friends!
- Program participant, Rachel Hagg, shares her experience here.
Quick Facts
When: June 3 – July 14, 2025
Where: Valencia, Spain
Host: Universidad de Valencia
Program Length: 6 weeks
Program Fee: $3975
Language of Instruction: Spanish & English
Credits: 6-9
Courses:
- Biology 394 (International Programs in Biology–field work and lab work options, prerequisite of two courses in the biological sciences and approval of the professor required)
- Management 372 (Responsible Management and Leadership in Business), in English with permission of the Ivy College of Business, for ISU credit
- Math 267: Elementary Differential Equations and Laplace Transforms
- Psychology 460 (General Psychopathology), in English; transfer credit/no ISU tuition and fees
- Spanish (100-500 levels: language, literature, culture)
All courses are for students participating in this program and are either taught or supervised by ISU faculty.
Application Deadline: March 1, 2025
Program Fee Includes: home stay with a Spanish family (with another ISU student) and full room and board, university of Valencia instruction (transfer credit), class space, and management; full medical insurance; 2-day guided tour of El Escorial, Segovia and Toledo; 2-day guided tour of Madrid; roundtrip bus transportation from Madrid to Valencia and on all guided excursions; museum and historical site visits; pre-departure sessions and materials; Madrid airport shuttle pick-up and drop-off. Optional activities organized by program affiliates include cooking, dance, sailing, snorkeling, windsurfing, etc.
Additional Expenses: Lab fee for BIOL 394 ($350); airfare, some books, train/metro pass, and spending money. Optional activities provided by affiliates.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: Most scholarships and financial aid apply. Talk with your scholarship administrator or representatives from the Financial Aid Office.
Contact Information
spain@iastate.edu
(515) 294-4046
Program Directors
Program Advisors
Program Faculty
- Dr. Moe Gupta (Biology)