SiS News - September 2009 - Amigos del español: Dr. Urbain De Winter

Amigos del español

Dr. Urbain De Winter

Dr. Urbain (Ben) DeWinter is Associate Provost for International Programs and Professor of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature at Boston University. He has been a faculty member and administrator at various institutions, including the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University.

Working closely with faculty, staff and students, he has developed international programs, exchanges and partnerships worldwide and has chaired or participated in many external reviews of education abroad programs.

Study in Spain had the honor to count with his participation in the First Annual Study in Spain Meeting and Award Presentation on May the 6th, 2009, in Boston, MA.

When was the last time you have been to Spain?
The last time I was in Spain was in the summer of 2008 for three weeks, combining work and leisure. I worked in Madrid, where Boston University has a program of studies and then traveled with my family in Castilla-Leon and Galicia. We had a wonderful time. I especially enjoyed my first visit to Santiago de Compostela as well as the archeological site of Atapuerca, near Burgos, which has the oldest remains of prehistoric man in Europe, even older than Altamira.

What do you enjoy most about Spain?
I have traveled to Spain many times, and have always enjoyed the warm hospitality of its people, its varied and beautiful landscape, and its food and wines, especially from Rioja. Getting together for dinner with friends is always an enjoyable experience.

What do you think are the advantages of Spain as a destination for American students?
Spanish is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world, including in the United States. One can find good language teachers in Spain and many people who will gladly help students learn the language and share their culture.

Could you describe the Study Abroad programs your University has with Spain?
Boston University recently celebrated the 25th anniversary of its Language, Culture and Internship program in Madrid. In addition to the faculty, students and staff who participated in this wonderful celebration, it was impressive to see that some former students traveled from the US just to be with some of their teachers and the Spanish families who had hosted them in their homes when they were studying there.

Our program is located as the Instituto Internacional, a famous historical building in Madrid, where students can take a wide variety of courses; they can also take advanced courses at the Universidad Autónoma and do internships in one of many businesses and organizations in the city. Boston University also sends students to the University of Burgos and runs a summer Mediterranean archeology program in Menorca.

How satisfied are, in general, American students going to Spain?
Students are very satisfied with their experience in Spain. They greatly enjoy meeting Spanish people, working with them in their internships and traveling in the country. Many students make plans to return to Spain as soon as they can; they miss their Spanish friends very much.