Study Communication Abroad

For many years, the Department of Communication faculty have led quarter-long study abroad programs in two different locations: Rome, Italy, and León, Spain. The immersive programs use the locations, ancient and modern Rome or the quaint but bustling León on the Camino de Santiago, as lab and classroom to understand communication theories and methods. These popular programs attract students from across the Seattle campus and are open to all majors. Please watch the department’s social media and this page for updates.

Rome, Italy

Study Abroad Program for Rome, Italy, 2027

Explore Rome, Italy
Winter Quarter 2027
Program dates: 1/4/2027 to 3/12/2027

Applications open on the Study Abroad website in early Spring Quarter and are due May 15

Communication and Culture in Rome is a 15-credit program offered through the Department of Communication open to all majors and students from all three UW campuses.
This program is housed in the UW Rome Center in the historic center of Rome.
The core 12-credit class counts as a methods class for Communication / JPIC majors, and students will analyze Italian film and gain hands-on experience through research, note-taking in the field, photography, sound collection, and immersive tours of ancient and urban Rome, as well as two overnight trips to other areas of Italy.
Students will also take weekly classes to learn the basics of speaking Italian.
Students live in apartments in the historic center of Rome.
Expected program cost: $9,400 + study abroad fee of $485. Airfare is a separate cost.

Join us for online info sessions to learn about this study abroad opportunity! Info sessions will be held on Friday, April 3 at noon and Tuesday, April 7 at 5 p.m.
Feel free to attend just one or both. We will meet at this Zoom address on both dates: https://washington.zoom.us/j/2290999862

Questions? Please email program leaders.
Andrea Otáñez, teaching professor: aotanez@uw.edu
Leilani Nishime, professor: nishime@uw.edu

A winter moon appears over the majestic Pantheon. The historic building is a short walk from the UW Rome Center.

UW students and two professors stop for a quick group photo while touring the Colosseum in Rome.

Sant’Agnese Agnes in Agone is framed with balloons during the Christmas market on Piazza de Navona, just a few blocks from the UW Rome Center.

León, Spain

UW León Center promo

See what’s in store for you at the UW León Center.

Stories from Spain 2022

In Spring 2022, the Communication Spain study abroad program returned to the UW León Center after a two-year hiatus. The 10-week trip coincided with Semana Santa, the Holy Week dedicated to the Catholic Passion of Jesus Christ. Associate Teaching Professor Andrea Otáñez’s students wrote about the experience as part of her COM 464: Writing with Voice class. The linked pieces below are a sample of what the group experienced after witnessing the centuries-old penitente processions.

Finding peace in Semana Santa

Essay and photos by Daniela Lopez ALICANTE, Spain

It’s 6:48 p.m. on Viernes Santo and the streets start to come alive. The main roads are closed and its edges are lined with thousands of chairs to accommodate the VIP guests, including the grandmas and grandpas who have saved their spot for the procession since 5 p.m. … Read More

Mala beads, a rosary, and little nazarenos

Essay and photos by Kayla Pezolano LEÓN, Spain

When I first arrived in León and began to travel around the presence of the Catholic Church was intimidating. Being raised in a traditional American Catholic family I had my own reservations as I no longer practice the religion, although I tried to withhold my bias while … Read More

Three Spanish cities during Semana Santa

Essay and photos by Nivedita Joshi LEÓN, Spain

I had the pleasure of witnessing the processions of Semana Santa in three cities, León, Valencia and Alicante in April 2022. With that, I had the pleasure of witnessing three levels of this centuries-old Spanish tribute to the Passion of Jesus Christ. In León, I saw the … Read More

Mi corazón sagrado

Essay and photos by Andrea Otáñez LEÓN, Spain

As I sat down to pick through the hundreds of photos I had taken during a four-hour follow of a Semana Santa procession, this text stayed in front of my favorite Catholic. Did I make a mistake by staying in León with the families … Read More