SiS Newsletter - January 2011 - I. L.: Jill Heffron

Jill Heffron – Study Abroad Programs Administrator City College of San Francisco

When was the last time you have been to Spain?
I visited Spain last year during the World Cup with a delegation of International Educators from the United States as guests of Eduespaña.

What do you enjoy most about Spain?
As a former dance major, I love all kinds of dance and dance music, so one of the things I enjoy most about Spain is flamenco dance and music. Living in San Francisco has also given me an appreciation for all kinds of food, and I enjoy going out for authentic and delicious tapas and sangria when I am visiting Spain.

What do you think are the advantages of Spain as a destination for American students?
For City College of San Francisco (CCSF) students, learning the Spanish language not only helps them to fulfill their graduation or transfer requirements, it can also be a useful job skill. Since there is a large Spanish speaking population in California, being able to communicate in Spanish is a desired job qualification in many fields from business and marketing to non-profit work and positions in the medical field. Also, our students love to travel while they study abroad, and being in Spain allows them a wide choice of European countries to visit without having to go far.

Could you describe the Study Abroad programs your university has with Spain?
CCSF students attend the Universidad Complutense de Madrid where they study Spanish five days a week at a variety of levels. We work with a partner named ACCENT, which arranges all of the program logistics, including a choice of homestays with Spanish families or apartment stays with other students. Our students also have the option of studying Art History and/or Spanish Civilization and Culture with English-speaking instructors, as most of our students are in their first or second year of Spanish Language study. Both classes offer a variety of experiential outings and excursions.

How satisfied are, in general, American students going to Spain?
We get great feedback on our “Semester in Madrid” Program. The students tell me that the Spanish people are friendly and helpful, and their language skills improve by leaps and bounds. One of their favorite things about Madrid is that so much of life takes place in public venues – such as parades, celebrations, and socializing. This allows our students to more quickly make friends and participate in cultural events – options that might not be open to them in a more “closed” society.