Lubbock Christian University offers a variety of learning opportunities in intercultural contexts. Our Semester in Spain is our primary program and allows you the opportunity to spend a full semester in Ávila, Spain. In what is most often considered a traditional “Study Abroad” program, students live in a dorm and meet in classes on the campus of the Catholic University of Ávila (UCAV).
Ávila is approximately an hour and a half west of Madrid. It is best known for its intact medieval city walls which average almost 10 feet thick and have an average height of 39 feet. In 1985, Ávila was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its walled city and extra muros (“outside the walls”) churches.
Students take a full load (12-15 hours) of classes while in Spain. Courses are taught by LCU professors who travel to and stay in Spain with the students. The one exception is their Spanish class, which is taught by a UCAV faculty member.
Students have the chance to experience full immersion into the culture and activities of Spain. They will have plenty of opportunities during their time in Ávila to participate in local events and festivals and form relationships with other students at UCAV. On many weekends, students take advantage of the chance to travel to other locations in Europe, furthering their understanding and awareness of different cultures.
During our return to the United States at the end of the semester, the entire group will stop in London, spending 5-7 days seeing the highlights of London. Some of the places we have visited include Harry Potter World, The Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Evensong at St. Paul’s Cathedral, the London Christmas Market, a play or musical, and a day trip to Oxford.
The Semester in Spain Program is led by the Director of Global Campus Robert Anderson, who serves both as the campus wide program director, as well as the onsite director for the semester in Spain. A part of the faculty team in 2022, Robert has led several overseas trips, including the 2026 Semester in Spain trip, which was the eighth year LCU students have traveled to Spain for a semester of classes.
Things to Do While in Spain
While there are plenty of ways in which students can develop relationships with students from UCAV and participate in the local culture of Ávila, one of the exciting things students do while studying abroad is exploring some of the other cities in Spain and Europe.
As a group, LCU students will travel to a Spanish city, usually Granada or Córdoba, for an extended weekend. They will also take day trips to Madrid and Segovia. In groups of at least three, students can also travel to other countries within the European Union on their own. Some of the most popular locations include Rome, Paris, Santorini, Vienna, Florence, and Athens. (NOTE: Travel on your own is not included in the costs of the program.) Like LCU, UCAV has a fall break, which allows for an extended period of time to travel. Students can take advantage of this longer time off for travel further away from Ávila, which also allows more time to experience the places to which students go.
Courses Offered
Students take a full course load (12-15 hours) during the semester they are in Spain. Offerings are focused on those courses which fit LCU’s core requirements, as well as courses that are within the teaching expertise of the faculty who are in Ávila.
A typical semester in Spain includes the following courses:
- BIB3305 – Christian Heritage and/or BIB3310 – Christian Life
- ENG3308 – Technical Writing or ENG3310 – Writing Grant Proposals
- ENG3300 – Literature for Children and Young Adults (or similar)
- GBC3310 – Global Experience: Spain+
- Spanish – Beginning or Intermediate Spanish*
- Other courses related to faculty’s teaching discipline.
+ Required course.
* Taught by a professor from UCAV
Students are also able to take a course online, if one suits their schedule.
We will work with students to ensure they can take the courses they need with minimal interruption to their degree plan.
Costs
Students incur the following costs for a semester in Spain:
- LCU Tuition and Fees (based on block rate of 12-18 hours)
- LCU Room and Board (equal to Gullo Hall and full meal plan)
(NOTE: Final costs are yet to be determined. The above charges will be applied to your LCU bill and will be based on the University’s set rates for the semester traveling.)
- $250 – Non-Refundable Application Fee (due with initial application)
- $750 – Non-Refundable Deposit (due upon acceptance into the program)
- $5000 – Study Abroad Program Fee (applied to Fall 2027 tuition bill)
Students will need to cover their expenses for independent travel (any travel not done as an entire group), spending money for souvenirs, snacks, postcards, stamps, independent meals (meals not eaten as an entire group or in the UCAV cafeteria), and any sites or excursions not done with the entire group.
Students are also responsible for any expenses associated with acquiring a passport or visa, as well as any immunizations required for travel.
What You Need to Participate
To be a part of this semester, each student will need the following:
- Initial Application (due on or before October 31, 2025)
- Pay all deposits by dates due
- Medical Insurance
- Additional Forms and Waivers (due on or before May 1, 2027)
- Have a 2.5 or better overall GPA and be in good academic standing
- Have 2 favorable recommendations from LCU Faculty and Staff
- Be in good standing with the Dean of Student Life, the Registrar’s Office, and the Business Office
- Hold a current passport with an expiration date valid for 3 months after we leave Spain (tentatively November 27, 2027)
- Have completed at least one year (two long semesters) at LCU
Key Dates
- Applications Open: Now
- Application Fee ($250) Due with Initial Application
- Priority Application Due: November 30, 2026
- Acceptance to Program Announcement Date: December 7, 2026
- Application Process Closes: January 29, 2027 (subject to availability)
- Deposit Due: Upon acceptance into the program
- Spring Orientation Day: March 6, 2027
- Sign up for Classes: Starting March 22, 2027
- All Additional Applications, Forms, and Waivers Due: May 1, 2027
- Fall Orientation Week: August 23-27, 2027
- Leave for Spain Date (tentative): August 27, 2027
- Leave Spain for London Date (tentative): November 22, 2027
- Return to Lubbock Date (tentative): November 27, 2027
Students studying abroad in Spain will pay Room and Board, plus tuition for the housing and classes, just as they would if they were residing in Lubbock for the semester. In addition, there is a $6,000 cost for the semester, which is made up of the following: a $250 Application Fee, a $750 deposit, and a $5,000 course fee, which is applied to your LCU bill for the Fall semester you will be in Spain.
The Study Abroad Course Fee covers travel expenses from Lubbock to Spain and London. It also covers group excursions, activities, and tours in Ávila and places like Madrid, Segovia, and Granada while in Spain. Travel insurance and other related costs are also covered by this fee.
After the initial Application Fee and Deposit (which we use to pay deposits and costs for flights and housing and tours), the remaining Study Abroad fee will be applied to your student bill and any Financial Aid you have can go towards these costs. Your Financial Aid also can be applied toward your tuition and fees, room and board, and books.
Your first payment will be your $250 Application Fee which is due when with your application. Deadlines for your application is late October, and your application will not be considered without the Application Fee.
Your next payment of $750 is your deposit to lock-in your place for the program. This deposit after you have been notified that you have been accepted into the program (around December 1).
The remainder of your program fee will be on your fall tuition bill of the semester you travel to Spain.
NOTE: All payments are non-refundable except in certain circumstances, such as the trip does not make, or you are not selected to participate in the program.
You will be responsible for your tuition and fees at the block rate for 12-18 hours, and room and board fees equal to the price of living in Gullo Hall with a full meal plan. You should also expect to purchase books and be prepared for any applicable online course fees. (This is only for courses you are taking online while in Spain.)
The dormitory will provide three meals a day, but you are free to eat elsewhere at your own cost.
The price of any excursion we take with the entire group is included in your Study Abroad Fee.
However, any other travel you choose to do will be your responsibility. The Study Abroad program recommends having $3000-$5000 set aside for independent student group travel, depending on how much travel you want to do.
No problem! Language instructors will tell you the best way to learn a language is to be immersed in the culture that speaks it. What a great opportunity to learn Spanish well!
You will also be required to take a Spanish course during your semester in Spain which will be tailored to your Spanish comprehension.
You may also want to get a head start and can sign up for a Spanish course at LCU or begin using some of the language learning apps available.
We want to help make this semester work for you and your schedule! We would love to visit more about what courses you need so that we can work with you and your advisor to find courses that are required on your degree plan. There are a wide variety of online courses offered and at times your advisor can make substitutions for courses on your degree plan.
If you are thinking about studying abroad, now is the time to let your advisor know so you can work together to craft a plan that meets your needs.
Yes! Travelling while in Europe is one of the things that makes a semester aboard such a great experience, so you are encouraged to make plans to travel outside of class time and group activities. Classes meet Monday-Thursday, which allows for three-day weekends to travel many weeks during the semester.
Students will be required to travel from Ávila in groups with at least three students and travel plans outside of Ávila must be cleared with the on-site director in Ávila prior to travel.
LCU takes the safety of its students seriously. Every effort is made to ensure that students will not be placed in situation where there is a higher-than-normal degree of danger, including prohibiting students from traveling in certain areas, if necessary. We also strive to help students feel comfortable in their study abroad environment and aware of how to travel safely.
In addition to the security provided by the dormitory complex and the Catholic University of Ávila, the city is also home to the nation’s police training academy.
As with any travel, whether across the state of Texas, the United States, or abroad, some safety risks are present. LCU is a member of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), which is a service of the State Department to provide detailed travel information about those risks to non-profit and private business interests. LCU also includes safety training in our orientation for Study Abroad.
Yes. The dormitory and college have free WiFi access. You can also find WiFi at various cafes around town.
International data plans are available through your service provider, or an international SIM card can be purchased for use. Using WiFi, FaceTime, Skype, and WhatsApp are also great resources for calling home.
LCU recommends accessing cash through ATMs located throughout the city. It is possible to exchange cash at local banks but is not recommended due to a higher exchange rate.
If you have not yet received a chip card from your bank, please talk to them about obtaining one prior to traveling to Spain.
Be sure to notify your bank before you depart that you will be traveling overseas, including countries you think you will be in.
As with life on the Lubbock campus, you are free to connect with any church in Ávila you choose.
Weekly chapel meetings will be held on Sunday evenings led by the LCU faculty and students, as well as other gatherings determined by the directors.
While you are in Ávila, a faculty member will be available to accompany students to a medical facility in case of an emergency. There is a hospital centrally located in Avila that accepts the travel insurance.
LCU provides insurance for medical events and emergencies, including if we need to return to the States. However, if you have medical insurance that is in effect internationally, the travel insurance covers only what your insurance does not.
Of course! You will still be responsible for attending your classes, and other required meetings (just as you would have to do in Lubbock), but your free time is yours to spend how you choose.
Family will be required to purchase their own flights and lodging and are not permitted to eat in the dormitory cafeteria but are welcome to be a part of other activities we have while in Ávila.
Passport forms are available online at www.travel.state.gov. Follow the instructions on your form to send in your application.
If you currently have a passport, it must be valid for a period of at least three months beyond our intended return date from Europe (around December 1). If this is not the case for you, you will need to renew your passport.
NOTE: If you do not have a passport or need to renew your passport, it is imperative you obtain a passport as quickly as possible so that your flight to Spain can be booked early.
Students will be required to attend two on-campus orientations before they depart for Spain. There will be a one-day session in the Spring prior to leaving that fall, and a week-long session beginning on the first day of classes of the fall semester that you will be gone. Students will need to be in Lubbock at that time. You will be responsible for your own living arrangements for those days.
There are many factors that are a part of your acceptance into the Study Abroad program. Those factors include things like your faculty recommendations, your standing with the Business Office, with Student Services, and how early your application was submitted. We take on average 20 to 24 students. If we have more students who apply than we can take, we will make a waitlist in case individuals change their mind about participating in the program.
NOTE: While we do receive recommendations from Student Services, a previous sanction from the Dean’s Office does not mean you are automatically disqualified. We all make mistakes and hopefully learn from them. It is your current status that we look at.
While there are certainly events and happenings you will not be able to participate in while you are in Spain, you will also be experiencing things that others are missing out on. Be sure to keep a balanced perspective.
As someone who travelled abroad once said: “I was told I would miss out on all the fun back home, but then I realized while others were doing things at home, that same day I was visiting The Louvre, climbing the Eiffel Tower, and writing notes to friends while drinking coffee at Closerie des Lilas, the café where Earnest Hemingway wrote much of The Sun Also Rises and first read The Great Gatsby with his friend F. Scott Fitzgerald. I missed out, indeed!”
Take them with you! Studying abroad with friends helps you experience different cultures with others, which makes your time overseas all that much more beneficial.
