The students are from Villanova University and the University of Houston and will take part in activities organised by the University School of Modern Languages

The Vice-Rectorate for Internationalisation at the University of Cádiz welcomed 50 American students from Villanova University and the University of Houston this week; over the coming month, they will take part in international programmes organised by the University School of Modern Languages (CSLM).

The welcome ceremony was held in the Graduation Hall of the Faculty of Economics and Business Studies and was hosted by the General Director of Language Policy and the CSLM, Leonor Acosta, accompanied by the Centre’s coordinator, María Fernández, as well as the programme coordinators in the United States, Eli Cohen and Elizabeth Goodin-Mayeda. Also in attendance was the director of MundoLengua, Yaye Baena, an organisation collaborating in the management and development of the Houston extra-curricular programme.

Both programmes mark significant anniversaries this year: Houston celebrates 15 years of collaboration with the UCA, whilst Villanova reaches its 37th year, reaffirming its status as the University of Cádiz’s longest-running international programme.

During their stay, students will take courses in Spanish language, culture and society for international students, alongside other subjects aimed at improving their communication skills in Spanish and deepening their understanding of various historical, cultural and social aspects. This training is complemented by an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, including cultural excursions, cookery workshops, language exchanges and other immersion experiences, designed to promote language learning and an understanding of Andalusian life.

With this intake, there are now over a hundred international students currently in Cádiz participating in the CSLM’s programmes, a figure that is set to double over the coming weeks.

These figures reinforce the University of Cádiz’s position as a leading international destination for learning Spanish as a foreign language, as well as for the cultural and academic immersion of students from universities around the world.