Below are answers to some commonly asked questions. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact Patricia, Ali and/or the ACCENT Center (click here to view contact info).

Question: What are the requirements for participating in this program?

Answer: The Summer in Madrid program is open to participants who are 18 years of age or older at the time of application. Apart from sending in your application and paying the program fee, you'll need to register at Orange Coast College (see next question), and, obviously, you'll need a passport. You'll also need to have completed Spanish 180 or the equivalent (Spanish 180 is first-semester Spanish).

See also: Application and Enrollment

Question: Can I participate in the program if I'm not an OCC student, or if I'm enrolled at another school?

Answer: Yes to both questions. In either case, however, you'll also need to register at Orange Coast College. In April or early May, we'll have a "Predeparture Orientation"; at that time, we'll help you fill out the registration/enrollment forms if you haven't already done so on your own.

See also: OCC Tuition and Fees, Program Timetable

Question: How can I reserve a spot?

Answer: By sending in your application and your nonrefundable $250 deposit ASAP! Click on the "Application and Enrollment" link below, and then follow instructions to download and/or print a copy of the application. Complete it, and then send it along with your deposit to the Accent address indicated at the bottom of the application form.

See also: Application and Enrollment

Question: Are there still many spaces left?

Answer: Yes, there are still spaces left, but, we definitely recommend that you get in your application and deposit as soon as you make your decision to go. Remember, this is first-come first-served.

See also: Application and Enrollment, Program Timetable

Question: What courses can I take for credit while in Madrid?

Answer: You may enroll in one of three language courses: these include the elementary level Spanish 185 (second semester), as well as the intermediate level 280 and 285 (third and fourth semester Spanish). Language courses are both CSU and UC transferable.

See also: Academic Program, Course Descriptions, Transferable Academic Credit

Question: Can I request to live in the same apartment as my friend who is also planning on going to Spain?

Answer: Yes. The norm is that all students stay in apartments, and that two students share a room; if there are two of you participating in the program, you may choose to stay in the same apartment. If you opt for a homestay, you may still request to share a room with your friend; in that case, both of you will have to pay a $550 supplement. The challenge, in either case, will be to try to use your Spanish as much as possible, even when you're together in the apartment or homestay;). Finally, there are also a limited number of single student apartment rooms, which require a supplement of $200, and single homestay rooms, which require a supplement of $650. All homestays include daily breakfast and dinner.

See also: Housing and Meals

Question: Are financial aid and/or scholarships available for the program?

Answer: Yes they are; check out the links below (thanks to Patricia for researching this)
• Specific Scholarships
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- Community College for International Education (CCIE) Student Scholarship ($500): The scholarship announcement is usually distributed in April with a May application deadline.
• More Information
-Cultural Experiences Abroad: Using Financial Aid for Study Abroad
- Institute of International Education: Scholarships, Awards & Grants

See also: Free Scholarship Search, FinAid, Fastweb, California Student Aid Commission, USA Group, FAFSA

Question: Where can I get more information about the program?

Answer: The primary and most complete sources of information for the program are the program website and the brochure. You may also attend a preview meeting to find out more. If you have questions that are not answered in any of the previously mentioned sources, please feel free to contact one of us, or the Accent Center (see contact link below).

See also: Summer in Madrid 2007 Website, Summer in Madrid 2007 Brochure, Contact Information