• Intensive 6-hour per day instruction in both language and culture

• Instrucrion provided by faculty leader and professors from the University of Porto   

• trips visiting sites of cultural and historical importance in and around Porto
• University housing with lunch and dinner included

• Earn 3 units of SJSU credit

City FACTS

No better place could be selected for a three-week study program. One Planet travel describes Porto as,“…famous for its historical villages, which have been witnessed over 900 years of the country’s history, and for its Port Wine, aged in wine cellars across the Douro River. Porto is also well known for its characterized people, culture and local cuisine. Nowadays, the city can be defined as a modern cosmopolitan area, with several theaters, museums, concert halls, art galleries, libraries, cinemas, and bookshops to offer its visitors. Its historical center has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. While visiting the city, you cannot miss the Porto Cathedral, the Soares dos Reis National Museum (Museu Nacional de Soares dos Reis), and the Casa da Música, its concert hall space built in 2005. …Porto is known as the city of work. Its people have always defended the nation and have contributed to the discoveries and the economic development of the area. Although its inhabitants are hard-workers, they have a hospitable and honest spirit.” (http://www.oneplanettravel.com/cms/cms/opt/www/pri/contentNavigation/destination
sp?resource=/opt/contents/place/z_eu/c_pt/oporto/destination#Portray%20of%20the%20Destination

Campus FACTS

Located in northern Portugal, the University of Porto is the largest university in Portugal and the nation’s leader in scientific papers. Housing Portugal’s largest number of students, faculties, and courses, the university alone was responsible for over 22% of all scientific papers produced in the country. The University of Porto is also a leader in community outreach as well as establishing international networks to enrich its student’s education.
The University of Porto has historical roots that date back to 1762. With several colleges created in the 18th and 19th centuries, the university became a natural center for students in the areas of naval affairs, trade, industry, and the arts. In 1825, Portugal’s first medical school was founded in Porto. Over the course of the twentieth century, the university developed and expanded significantly, giving rise to the university’s current status as a strategic research and academic center.
With over 27,000 students, Porto has the largest student population of all universities in Portugal. It offers a wide variety of courses ranging from the Arts and Architecture to Dental Medicine and Food Science.
The university is home to fourteen colleges and a business school. One of the university’s areas of focus is community development, running continuing education programs, multidisciplinary courses, and establishing cooperation protocols. Every year, 25,000 young people in primary and secondary schools attend the science dissemination events held at the University of Porto. Initiatives such as the “University Study Program for Seniors,” or the 279 continuing education programs organized each year by the institution, continue to open the university’s doors to new populations.
University of Porto is also committed to the development of its international relations, taking part in several networks within Europe and countries of Portuguese language. The attention that the university gives to its international orientation is reflected by the increasing number of its students taking part in mobility programs, the international exchange of lecturers and researchers, and the university’s participation in international research projects.
(http://www.cmu.edu/portugal/locations/universidade-do-porto.html)

Eligibility Requirements

One year/equivalent knowledge of Portuguese or the permission of the faculty leader

Academic Program

Portuguese 20X/Y, as this course will be called, will be a three-unit course held at the University of Porto for three weeks and will give the student three units of university credit. It will consist of classes in Language as well as culture. The class will be six hours a day-three in the morning and three in the afternoon. These classes, the language portion, taught by the faculty leader, will be supported by cultural and historic visits in and around Porto, the birthplace of Portugal and where its famous vineyards are found. Students will have the opportunity to mingle with the people of Porto on a day-to-day basis to practice their Portuguese and will also get to study the history, art and architecture of the region.

Course Enrollment
This course is offered by the Foreign Language Department and all participants must take the following 3-unit course: http://www.sjsu.edu/foreignlanguages/programs/undergraduate/portuguese/

Program Overview

The students will return with much knowledge in a very intensive (30-40 hours a week) and structured learning environment. Students will benefit from high tech presentations (PowerPoint), a language lab, use of computers, video etc. to enhance their learning experience. They will have weekly quizzes (20%), and a final exam (25%), assignments (10%), participation (10%), a journal with observations on site visits (10%) and a final Project (25%) on a cultural topic. On weekends students will visit sites of cultural and historical importance. The emphasis is on strengthening the language and knowledge of the various aspects of the culture, which fits in very well with the goal of the SJSU course Portuguese 102A Portuguese Culture and with the Portuguese 20A/B Intermediate Portuguese Courses in the Portuguese Studies program.  Hopefully, students will return with not only cherished memories of their stay in Porto but also with very unique experiences.

Accommodation, Safety and Visas

Porto is a relatively safe city. One Plane travel says,” Security conditions in Portugal are very much like Spain’s. However, it is advisable to be careful in tourist zones because of the robberies that may occur, as in any crowded place.” As far as Visas are concerned, for stays up to 90 days, no visa and no special inoculations are required for USA travelers.

Program Leaders

Dr. Virginia da Luz Tarver

Program Dates

July 13-31, 2009

Application Forms

Estimated Costs

Estimated Costs  $2915 wihout  airfare
Faculty Leader will try to get a group airfare quote

College of Letter	Tower of Clerigos

Contact us at the Study Abroad Office, Clark Hall, Room 543 Tel  (408) 924-5931 Fax (408) 924-5976
or send us an email