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Port of Cartagena in Murcia, Spain, clear blue waters and white buildings with palm trees and mountains in the background.

Live and learn in the Mediterranean city of Murcia, Spain! Located in Southeastern Spain, the city of Murcia offers students rich history, beautiful architecture, and vibrant culture. Enroll in a mix of courses taught in English and Spanish to further your knowledge of the Spanish language.

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Location

Murcia, Spain

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Term

Spring, Academic Year

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Housing

Apartment

Program Highlights

Kent State students can enroll in both English and Spanish-taught courses at Universidad de Murcia during the spring semester or for an entire academic year. Language courses for students studying Spanish are available but are not typically included in the traditional exchange rate for Kent State students.

Universidad de Murcia offers helpful support for exchange students such as the Buddy Program to help acclimate to life in Spain. There are also convenient campus services such as dining options and sports facilities. To learn more about campus and Murcia, please visit the university’s website .
 

Program Contact Information

Molly Papay

Assistant Director, Education Abroad

Email: mpapay1@kent.edu

Office Phone: 330-672-3067

Important Dates

Application Deadlines

  • Spring 2025: October 1, 2024
  • Fall 2025: April 1, 2025
  • Academic Year 2025-2026: April 1, 2025
  • Spring 2026: October 1, 2025

Program Dates

Program dates vary each year based upon the host institution's academic calendar, but the following are general guidelines:

  • Academic Year: Early September - Mid-June
  • Fall: Early September - Mid-January
  • Spring: Mid-January - Mid-June
Application Process

Students will be required to complete two applications:

  • an internal Kent State Education Abroad application,
  • and a partner university application.

These quick steps will help walk you through the process.

1. Start an Education Abroad Application

When you click the "Apply Now" button (located towards the top and bottom of this page), you will be brought to the Education Abroad application system where you can view program costs and start an application. Be sure to submit your application before the deadline!

2. Wait for Acceptance

Once you have submitted your application, it will be reviewed by an Education Abroad Advisor. Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis. Please note that acceptance to the program by Kent State University does not serve as final approval. The host institution or program provider grants final approval for each applicant.

3. Complete the Host University Application

Once your Education Abroad application has been accepted, you will be nominated to the host university. You will complete the host university’s application and wait for official acceptance to the program. 

Eligibility
  • Full-time, degree-seeking student at Kent State
  • Any major
  • Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.5 or higher
  • Intermediate-level Spanish language is recommended
Academics

Academic Programs

While the majority of courses at Universidad de Murcia are taught fully in Spanish, some degree programs are now bilingual with Spanish and English. English-taught courses are offered in the following subject areas:

Students may also participate in a Spanish as a Second Language course for an additional cost. Students can refer to the  for course offerings. Updated course offerings will be provided later in the application process, and official registration of courses takes place on-site.

Please note that spring-semester-only students cannot enroll in courses listed as "full-year." Students can take courses in different "degrees." However, at least half of the courses must belong to the same "Grado." To avoid scheduling difficulties, it may be best to take all courses within the same degree and at the same campus location.

Additionally, a two week intensive  is required in September for Academic Year students and in February for Spring semester students.

Transferring Credits

Transfer Credits

With this program, students enroll in courses at a partner (host) institution. You will need to transfer the credits you earn abroad back to Kent State University.

Upon successful completion of the program, the host institution will issue you an official transcript, which will be needed for the credit transfer process.

You must earn passing grades on the courses you take abroad for the credits to transfer. 

Prior to departure, students will meet with their academic advisor to complete a Transfer Course Planning (TCP) Form, which will outline the courses you plan to take while abroad and how the courses will transfer to Kent State University. 

Some courses have already been pre-approved for transfer to Kent State and can be viewed on the Transfer Credit Guide. Please note that this is only a guide and is NOT a comprehensive list of courses available at each partner institution.

Credit Approval

Prior to departure, it is your responsibility to meet with your academic advisor to discuss the courses you plan to take while abroad.

If a course needs to be evaluated for transfer, you are responsible for working with your education abroad advisor to obtain the syllabus and have it reviewed by Kent State faculty. 

Location & Transportation

Murcia, Spain​​​​​​​

Despite having a population of 450,000 inhabitants, Murcia is known for having the appearance of a small town with beautiful architecture and calm streets. Murcia is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, mountains, and stunning Mediterranean beaches just 40 minutes away. The Spanish city is a university city in southeastern Spain and the language spoken is Murcian Spanish. An architectural landmark students will be able to appreciate is the Plaza Cardenal Belluga, where there is a mixture of multiple styles from different centuries, Gothic to Baroque, 18th century colorful Palacio Episcopal, and the modern twist from the 1990s.

Transportation

Airports

There are two airports near Universidad de Murcia. Región de Murcia International Airport is 30 minutes from the university by car, and Alicante International Airport is around 45 minutes by car. It is recommended that students fly into Alicante via Madrid or Barcelona.

Local Transit

Students can navigate Murcia using buses or trams. For travel farther from Murcia, students can use trains or airports.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations

Because it is common for Spanish students to live at home with their families, international students will live in shared apartments in the city center. The apartments will be arranged by the student through a service called . The Espinardo campus, home to the education and business programs, can easily be reached by public transport.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

It is possible to use your federal financial aid to go on Kent State University-approved education abroad programs. You can learn more on the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center website.

It is also possible to use most Kent State scholarships for education abroad costs. You can find education abroad scholarships on ScholarshipUniverse.

If you have any questions about using your financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, you can contact the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center.

ISEP also offers for their programs, with many focused on underserved student populations as well as opportunities for students studying a language or in specific locations around the world.

Health & Safety

Pre-Departure Orientation

Prior to your education abroad experience, you will participate in a mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Office of Global Education. During this orientation, you will be provided with information including but not limited to:

  • international travel procedures;
  • in-country resources;
  • health and safety resources and information;
  • culture shock and resources to help prepare for living abroad.

All students are encouraged to register with the prior to departure.

You can also review a wide variety of resources we’ve pulled together for you on our “Before You Go” page.

All ISEP students will participate in additional orientations which include:

  • A pre-departure health and safety orientation video;
  • A pre-departure program-specific orientation;
  • An on-site orientation with your host institution.

Keep an eye out for email invitations to these pre-departure orientations from your ISEP Program Coordinator.

Country Profile

ISEP provides a  for all countries where their programs take place. We recommend you review more information about your respective country there.

You can also learn more about your destination(s), including travel advisories, through the .

In addition, we encourage you to visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) travel page for  for traveling to your destination(s).

If vaccinations or medications are needed according to the CDC, you should make arrangements for appointments with your healthcare provider or the DeWeese Health Center as soon as possible.

Appointment openings at the DeWeese Health Center are limited and vaccines may need to be ordered, which takes time. Please note that not all immunizations are available at the DeWeese Health Center. 

Visa Information

A visa is a document required by many countries, in addition to your passport, that allows you to enter the country for a certain purpose (whether that’s to stay, transit, or exit). Essentially, it is the country's government giving you legal permission to enter their country to travel, study, work, etc.

Please note, it is solely the responsibility of the student to: 

  • determine the entry, transit, and stay requirements for the country or countries to which they will travel,
  • and to apply for any necessary visas, stay permits, or any other immigration requirements of the host nation(s).

It is also the responsibility of the student to:

  • verify the correct documentation required to apply for the required visa(s), 
  • apply for the visa(s) early enough to ensure there is enough processing time,
  • and pay any fees associated with obtaining the visa(s).

Kent State University's Office of Global Education is available to provide general guidance regarding student visa requirements and procedures; however, each student who travels abroad is expected to manage their own legal obligations regarding international travel.

It is strongly recommended by the Office of Global Education that you carefully review the appropriate consulate or embassy website for the nation(s) you plan to visit in order to determine current entry/study/exit visa requirements.

Costs and Funding

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Costs for the program will differ for every student. You can use our Cost Calculator to get an estimate of what you might expect for your program.

We also encourage you to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor and reach out to Financial Aid the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center to see how your aid may apply to an international program.

 

Cathedral in Spain during night.
Kari Evans
Spanish, Education, and TEFL

“This is la Catedral de Murcia and it is one of the most significant cultural markers of the city. Getting to walk past it every once in a while is a good reminder of just how beautiful the world outside of the United States can be.”

Your Journey is Just Beginning