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Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) is a consortium of Seventh-day Adventist colleges and universities in North America, which grew out of the Year-Abroad program begun by then La Sierra College in 1961.

We provide qualified students opportunities for study overseas while completing the requirements of their major programs at their home colleges. This program allows students to immerse in the culture and life of the host country and to become conversant in the language.

In addition, students participate in on-site guided field trips of geographic, historic, or economic significance. As a result of their experience abroad, many students have been inspired to return to theses countries in positions of service. This program is open to all students, regardless of their major.

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!

Schools & Countries

Students may apply to go abroad for one, two, or three quarters. 

Argentina - Spanish

Universidad Adventista del Plata
25 de Mayo 99
3103 Libertador San Martin
Entre Rios, Argentina

Austria - German

Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen
A-4963 St. Peter am Hart
Austria

Brazil - Portuguese

Faculdade Adventista da Bahia
BR-101, km 197, Capoeiruçu
Caixa Postal 18, Cachoeira Bahia
CEP: 44.300-000 - Brazil

France - French

Campus Adventiste du Salève
74160 Collonges-sous-Salève
Cedex, France 

Germany - German

Theologische Hochschule Friedensau
An der Ihle 5a
39291 Friedensau
Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany 

Italy - Italian

Istituto Avventista Villa Aurora
Via del Pergolino 12
50139 Florence, Italy

Lebanon - Arabic

Middle East University
Sabtieh, Baushrieh
1202 2040 Lebanon

Spain - Spanish

Escuela Superior de Español de Sagunto
Carretera de Petres s/n
Apartado 52
46500 Sagunto (Valencia), Spain

United Kingdom - English

Newbold College of Higher Education
St. Mark's Rd
Binfield, Bracknell
Berkshire RG42 4AN
United Kingdom

Austria - German

Seminar Schloss Bogenhofen
A-4963 St. Peter am Hart
Austria

Brazil - Portuguese

Faculdade Adventista da Bahia
BR-101, km 197, Capoeiruçu
Caixa Postal 18, Cachoeira Bahia
CEP: 44.300-000 - Brazil

France - French

Campus Adventiste du Salève
74160 Collonges-sous-Salève
Cedex, France 

Israel - Hebrew

Jerusalem Study Center
11 Ali Ibn Abi Taleb Street
Jerusalem 91000, Israel

Italy - Italian

Istituto Avventista Villa Aurora
Via del Pergolino 12
50139 Florence, Italy

*NOTE: Summer 2020 will be avaialble online only.

Spain - Spanish

Escuela Superior de Español de Sagunto
Carretera de Petres s/n
Apartado 52
46500 Sagunto (Valencia), Spain

*NOTE: Summer 2020 will be available online only.

Taiwan - Chinese

Taiwan Adventist College
39 Chung Wen Lane
Yu Chih, Nantou County 55542
Taiwan 

Spain- Spanish

Registration deadline: June 15

Date: June 22 – July 24

Price: $2,220

Credits: 9 qtr. or 6 sem.

Required tools: Computer (with audio + video capabilities) and Internet access

Courses: Courses will cover 4 core components (conversation, composition, grammar and culture). Advanced students are eligible to enroll in elective course SPAN 375-Spanish for Health Professionals, instead of SPAN 311- Spain and its Culture. A minimum of 3 students enrolled in these elective courses is required for courses to open. Added to the core courses, there will be workshops in Flamenco dancing, Spanish Music and (for advanced level only) Spanish Translation. For a complete list of courses, please check our online ACA Course Catalog (Catalogs => Summer 2020 Catalog).

Daily schedule: live group sessions Monday - Thursday @ 8 am – 11 am PDT (= 11 am – 2 pm EDT). If a student is not able to attend class during the live sessions time, the session will be saved and they will be able to watch it a later time.

Student/instructor communication: Each student will be able to contact their instructors individually via email, WhatsApp and messages sent through Sagunto’s adopted online platform. One-on-one tutorial sessions will be available by appointment.

Placement test: The placement test will be done on ESDES’s online platform the previous week to the commencement of classes. This test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and a small written essay. If necessary, there may be individual Zoom interviews to make the final decision about the placement of each student.

Monitores: In order to ensure oral practice of the language there will be one additional /optional hour for students to practice with our monitores. These workshops will take place outside of class time, between 8-10 pm (Madrid Time).

Virtual visits: Students will have the opportunity to participate in virtual guided visits to selected museums and some Spanish cities, at least once a week.

For more information about the characteristics of the ACA Spain Summer Program 2020,  click here.

 

Italy- Italian

Registration deadline: June 15

Date: June 22 – July 24

Price: $2,220

Credits: 9 qtr. or 6 sem.

Required tools: Computer (with audio + video capabilities) and Internet access

Courses: courses will cover 4 core components (conversation, composition, grammar and culture). A minimum of 3 students is required for courses to open. Added to the core courses, there will be workshops in cooking and basic tailoring. For a complete list of courses, please check our online ACA Course Catalog (Catalogs => Summer 2020 Catalog).

Daily scheduleLive group sessions Monday - Thursday @ 8 am – 11 am PDT (= 11 am – 2 pm EDT). If a student is not able to attend class during the live sessions time, the session will be saved and they will be able to watch it a later time.

Tutors: In order to ensure oral practice of the language there will be one additional /optional hour for students to practice with local speakers. These workshops will take place outside of class time, between 8-9 pm (Rome Time).

Virtual visits: Students will have the opportunity to participate in virtual guided visits to selected museums, mostly in Florence, and other Italian cities, at least once a week.

 

ALL other ACA summer programs are suspended for 2020

 

ACA 2020-2021 Academic Year Programs:

All ACA academic year programs will be in session.

The format of instruction for the 1st quarter/semester is TBA by June 15th.

Start your application online today, so you can be added to our automatic notification list for updates.

Mark of Distinction

After completion of one academic year abroad through ACA you may obtain a minor in a language of choice or a major in Spanish. 

Contact US

studiesabroad@lasierra.edu

Phone: 951.785.2958 

Phone: 951.785.2257

Benefits of the Studies Abroad Program

Explore the World

Exploring the world with ACA is an eye opening experience. Thanks to partnerships with Colleges within the Adventist Education system across the world, we are able to safely and confidently send students to explore other cultures that might otherwise be unavailable to them. Federal Aid can be accessed, in most cases through this program, and assist in covering the tuition cost of a student studying abroad.

Earn Your Language Minor

The ACA program enables students to complete La Sierra University's language requirement while studying in another country. Through inmmersion, students also adquire a cultural experience. Students may complete a minor in a language of choice when they attend a full academic year program. NOTE: A minor in Art is also available to students completing a full academic year in Italy.

Preparation for Graduate Study

  Students completing graduate studies may also benefit by completing a full academic year abroad through ACA.  

What Students Say

My ACA experience was unbelievable. I was able to immerse myself in a new culture, learn a new language, and make lifelong friends. Over breaks, I got to travel to places I had only dreamed about before. My year abroad was easily the best of my life!"

Kendrah adams
Learning a new language opened my mind to seeing the world in a different way. When you learn another language, you also learn a new culture. 
Diane castellon

The International Study Experience

Completing an academic program in another country is of great value in education. Usually, the experience abroad when highlighted will enhance any professional portfolio.

By going abroad I realized so many things about the world and myself. I learned a new language, got to meet incredible people and visited places that I never thought I would see with my own eyes!
Melissa Arcero

Career Opportunities

When students completing a degree include an academic experience abroad, they will have more opportunities for a fulfilling career. Here are some options: 

  • International Transportation - Flight Attendants, Pilots, Travel Agent, Tour Guide, Hotel Manager, etc
  • Bilingual Communications - Foreign Correspondent, Reporter, Film Maker, Sales Rep. for multinational corporations, Translator, Interpreter, Publisher, Literary Agent, Language Teacher, Overseas Operator, International Public Relations Agent, etc
  • Foreign Trade and Banking - Banker, International Finance Lawyer, Export Manager, Overseas Sales Representative, Fashion Buyer, Bilingual Secretary, Marketing Analyst, International Consultant, Stock Broker (Global Markets), etc
  • Government - Foreign Service Officer, Armed Forces Intelligence, Librarian, UN Translator or Interpreter, Customs Official, Intelligence Analyst, Global Agricultural Advisor, etc
  • Medical - Nurse, Doctor, ADRA, Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Clinician

Future Students Guide

Transfer Students Guide

Finance and Admission

Finances

FAFSA, Pell Grants and CalGrants are all available to students completing a study abroad through the ACA program. 

Special considerations based on country visited:

  • Sagunto College, Spain
    • Students completing a full academic year program will benefit from travel money towards personal expenses during school trips.
  • Villa Aurora, Italy
    • Students may receive an unlimited-monthly-pass for the local bus system in Florence and suburbs.
  • Austria
    • Students completing a full academic year may receive travel money towards personal expenses during school trips.
  • Germany
    • Students attending a full academic year may travel money for personal expenses during school breaks. In addition, students may receive a yearly pass for the local bus or train system. 

NOTE: Educational scholarship assistance for denominational employees' dependents is available for all ACA programs.

Community Involvement Project

The ACA program emphasizes service throughout the curriculum. You will be able to engage in Community Service and/or Internships while earning credits.

Some colleges offer specific internship opportunities:

  • Seminaire Adventiste Collonges may offer Internships at the U.N.
  • Colegio Adventista de Sagunto may offer internships at Casa Grande
  • Middle East University may offer interships related with refugees

NOTE: Please consult with La Sierra University ACA coordinator. 

Cultural Tours

All ACA students are required to participate in school tours. 

ACA International diplomas

Diplomas from Universities abroad include:

  • Austria - Holders of the Austrian German Diploma ÖSD hold fluency to handle daily interaction, both written and oral.
  • France -Students prepare for the following certficates: 
  • DELF (Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française) and the 
  • DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), awarded by the French ministry of Education to certify competency in the French language.
  • Germany - Students prepare for the following certficates:
    • Goethe-Zertifikat B1 - Basic language competency.
    • TestDaF - For intermediate to advanced competency. 
  • Spain - Students prepare for the following certificates through the University of Salamanca:
    • Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera (DELE) -Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced competency.
    • Business Language Testing Service (BULATS) - Optional examination for competency. 

More info...

ACA Program Requirements

The ACA Program requirements include:

  • Good citizenship record at the home institution.
  • Compliance with SDA standards at the selected school abroad.
  • College GPA of 2.5 or above, in language selected.
  • College GPA of 2.0 or above, overall.

NOTES:  

  • Applicant's confidence and a good attitude are a good addition for a successful completion of the program. 
  • Applicants will benefit from previous experience in the language of choice.

Learn More about the La Sierra University Studies Abroad Program

For more information:

Email: studiesabroad@lasierra.edu
Phone: 951.785.2958

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