The Language Institute at Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) welcomed a new group of international students who have begun their studies in the Spanish as a Foreign Language program. This intensive, in-person academic program combines Spanish language instruction with a linguistic and intercultural immersion experience in the Santander region of Colombia.
The program’s first cohort includes students from the United States, Brazil, Russia, Tanzania, and Gabon. They arrive at UIS with a pre-intermediate level of Spanish and will participate in a training process designed to strengthen their communicative competence until they reach the level of independent users, in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
The program begins with the B1.1 level, which runs through September 14. Participants will then continue with the B2 level from September 16 to November 30. Upon successfully meeting the attendance and academic performance requirements, students will receive an official certificate issued by the UIS Language Institute, in accordance with Colombian regulations.
Launch of the Spanish as a Foreign Language Program
“We are confident that this immersion experience will enrich their cultural background and strengthen their global citizenship. It will also showcase UIS and Santander as a strong academic destination with a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs. We believe these international students will become ambassadors of Colombian culture and help us project our university to the world,” said Laura Dueñas Angulo, Director of the UIS Language Institute.
During the welcome session, students learned about the university’s academic offerings and the main services available to the university community. Accompanied by faculty members, they toured key campus facilities, including the Central Library and PRO Student Services (Bienestar Universitario PRO), where they received information about academic and student support resources.
The program aims to provide participants with a comprehensive cultural exchange experience, fostering meaningful connections with the university community while introducing them to the historical, social, and cultural richness of the Santander region. Through this initiative, UIS continues to strengthen its position as a leading destination for Spanish language education for international students.
