Program Site
Recognized by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, the CIAL Centro de Linguas offers students the opportunity to combine their studies in one or more city in order to get to know Portugal. Lisbon, overlooking the Tagus River, is a charming city of contrasts, combining historical traces of the past with the fast pace of modern life. Oporto, Portugal's second largest city, is an important industrial and commercial center. Faro, the capital of the Algarve, an artistic and historical center, also offers the pleasures of sun and sea. CIAL has offered Portuguese language instruction since 1970 and has established a special department in charge of the creation of materials and the improvement of teaching techniques for Portuguese language studies. CIAL's main facilities in the capital city of Lisbon are modern, well-equipped, and centrally located.

Academic Program Highlights
Students are tested and placed in language classes at the level appropriate to their language proficiency, with six levels of language from elementary through advanced offered. For those with an intermediate level of Portuguese, courses are available to acquaint the student with specialized Portuguese terminology relative to their professional interests in areas such as banking law, he hotel industry, marketing, medicine and computer science. Instructors use a multi-media approach, including video and computer instruction. Each level is taught in a four-week module of classes, which meet for three hours per day, five days per week, with a maximum of six students per class. Each four-week module awards 3 to 6 credits, and students may combine modules up to twelve weeks, for a total of 12-15 credits. In addition to language courses, mini-courses offered for one credit each are available in Portuguese, including Portuguese Literature, Portugal and the European Union, and Portugal and the Discoveries. Mini-courses taught in English may also be arranged for an additional fee.

Program Duration
All sessions on concurrently throught the year.
Jan 5 - July 5
Feb 3 - Aug 2
Mar 1 - Aug 30
Apr 5 - Sept 27
May 3 - Nov 2
May 31 - Nov 29

Application Deadlines*
60 days prior to departure.

Recommended Credits:
4 weeks: 3-5 credits
12 weeks: 12-15 credits

Program Start Dates:
Janurary 5, Febuary 3, March 1, April 5, May 3, May 31, July 5, August 2, August 30, September 27, November 2, November 29.

*Note: Contact Rio Salado College for exact dates.

Transcripts
For all courses taken at the CIAL Centro de Linguas where there are equivalent courses in the MCCCD, the official record for those credits will be posted on the MCCCD, Rio Salado College, transcript.

Eligibility
A 2.5 GPA is required, as are official transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a minimum age of 18 years to participate in the program, which is open to students at the sophomore level and above.

Student Life
Students reside in private homes in Lisbon, Oporto, or Faro, with breakfast included. Lunch on school days is available at a modest additional cost. CIAL will help find alternative accommodations if the student prefers. The CIAL Centro de Linguas can be reached by inexpensive public transportation from accommodations. A full program of activities is available to students, including visits to museums, monuments, lectures, and debates, and half-day visits to points of interest.

Costs
The cost of a semester may vary as changes occur in the economies and currencies of the U.S. and Portugal. The factors listed below are used to calculate program costs.

  • Tuition at Rio Salado College (assessed according to the student's residency status).
  • Program costs in Portugal, including instruction, housing, application and orientation fees, insurance, books and field trips.
  • Transportation to Portugal.
Financial Aid
Any financial aid for which students are eligible during the course of their study at Rio Salado College, including Pell Grants, can be used toward the cost of the program in Portugal.

For More Information
Office of International Education
Rio Salado College
2323 W. 14th St.
Tempe, AZ 85281
(480) 517-8416
(480) 517-8849 Fax
Contact: Erma Abeyta, Director of International Programs
OIE@riomail.maricopa.edu