Spanish Studies
Unlock endless opportunities by studying Spanish! As the second most spoken language in the world, mastering Spanish opens doors to a global network of over 500 million people. In the U.S., nearly 43 million speak Spanish, and in California, one in four residents is a native speaker. Bilingual professionals have a competitive edge, with job prospects in fields like business, healthcare, education, technology, climate change and international relations. In fact, bilingual employees can earn up to 20% more than their monolingual counterparts. Beyond career growth, learning Spanish connects you to rich, diverse cultures, giving you the skills to thrive in today’s interconnected world. Don't just learn a language—gain a lifelong advantage!
International Learning
Spanish Studies at USF participates in the Virtual Dual Immersion program (VDI) within the Association of Jesuit Universities in Latin America (AUSJAL) and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) between 10 Latin American Jesuit universities and 12 American Jesuit colleges. In the VDI program, students participate in synchronous language exchanges made by video call, half in English and half in Spanish. Students practice the language they are studying with a native speaker and at the same time share their knowledge to help their counterparts to do the same. VDI has been used effectively for the development of conversation skills of non-native speakers and is increasingly being used in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) and through virtual webinars. The AUSJAL/AJCU Virtual Dual Immersion (VDI) Program, supported by AUSJAL, maximizes the strengths of the Jesuit educational mission and its network to establish sustainable partnerships across borders, languages, and cultural divides by improving cross-cultural awareness, increasing communication skills, and building international solidarity.
Useful Resources
- Spanish Writing Center
- Sigma Delta Pi
- Conversation Tables
- Modified First-Year Sequence
- Non-USF Resources
Events
- Latin Horror Film Festival: Every fall, USF hosts a two-night event featuring gothic monsters from the Caribbean to the Andes, marking a resurgence of horror cinema after years of censorship and silence under dictatorship. This event showcases a selection of short and feature films by young, independent filmmakers who challenge mainstream industry norms. Students and the public have the unique chance to view and discuss these emerging horror cinemas, which offer fresh perspectives and critical insights into the region's social dynamics.
- La Mateada: "El Mate"(pronounced “MAH-teh”) is a traditional South American beverage with deep cultural significance, particularly in countries such as Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. At USF's Mateadas, every spring we gather to learn its cultural significance since Mate is more than just a beverage; it is a social ritual that embodies friendship and community. Sharing mates is a way of bonding and showing respect.