LAKELAND, Fla. (May 17, 2006) –Seventy Florida Southern College students will travel throughout Spain and attend classes this month as part of the college’s Spain May Option study abroad program. Four FSC professors will accompany the students to teach courses in subjects such as education and psychology. Spanish language courses will be taught by Spanish professors.

 “I’ve never seen so many students interested in going to Spain,” said José M. Garcia, FSC assistant professor of Spanish and director of the Spain May Option program. “This program is an excellent way for students to learn Spanish while being submerged into the Spanish culture. Also, for the first time in this program, students who travel to Spain in May can take classes in subjects other than Spanish because our professors are traveling with them. We are all really looking forward to the trip.”

Students will take two courses while in Spain, at least one of which is in Spanish language, and earn six academic credits. The students live with Spanish families in Salamanca and attend planned excursions to Segovia, Portugal, Alicante, Granada and Madrid. Attending FSC professors are Timothy R. Toops, assistant professor of education, William E. Gregory, assistant professor of communication, Patrick L. Smith, assistant professor of psychology, and Bruce W. Darby, professor of psychology.

“I went on the trip last year and it was absolutely amazing,” said Katie Fow, senior communication major from Merrit Island, Fla. and assistant director of the program. “I got a good grasp on the language and decided to make Spanish my minor.” More than 250 students have participated since the Spain May Option program began in 1999.

About Florida Southern College
Founded in 1885, Florida Southern College is a private, comprehensive, United Methodist college with a liberal arts core. The college maintains its commitment to academic excellence through 38 undergraduate majors and distinctive graduate programs in business administration, education, and nursing. Florida Southern has a 14:1 student/faculty ratio, provides strong student/faculty mentorship programs, boasts 25 NCAA Division II national championships, and is ranked by U. S. News and World Report as one of the top ten Southern Comprehensive Colleges-Bachelors and by the Princeton Review as a “Best Southeastern College.” Located on scenic Lake Hollingsworth, Florida Southern is the home of the world’s largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.