The Department of Spanish and Portuguese offers many opportunities for students to engage with the Spanish language and cultures of Spanish-speaking countries and communities.

Among these opportunities include guest lectures and workshops with world renown writers (through the Ida Cordelia Beam Distinguished Visiting Professorship Program) and a regularly held conversation hour, Cafecito Cervantes, in which students are able to practice their Spanish speaking skills with peers.

The department also holds film screenings, holiday events and activities (i.e. our Dia de los Muertos altar) in our Center for Language and Culture Learning. We are also home to our very own undergraduate student organization, the Spanish Club, which plans events throughout the year for students of the department.

Events

Stanley Award for International Research - Information Session  promotional image

Stanley Award for International Research - Information Session

Monday, October 20, 2025 2:30pm to 3:30pm
Virtual
Dreaming of doing your own research abroad? The Stanley Award for International Research gives UI students up to $2,500 to design and carry out a research or fieldwork project overseas.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) - Study Abroad Scholarship - Information Session promotional image

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) - Study Abroad Scholarship - Information Session

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 11:30am to 12:30pm
Virtual
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a fully funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It sends undergraduate and graduate students abroad for eight weeks of intensive language learning and cultural immersion.
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Thursday, October 23, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Cafecito Cervantes promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes

Thursday, October 23, 2025 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Thursday, October 30, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Cafecito Cervantes promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes

Thursday, October 30, 2025 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) - Study Abroad Scholarship - Writing Workshop promotional image

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) - Study Abroad Scholarship - Writing Workshop

Tuesday, November 4, 2025 3:30pm to 5:30pm
Virtual
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a fully funded program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. It sends undergraduate and graduate students abroad for eight weeks of intensive language learning and cultural immersion.
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Thursday, November 6, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Cafecito Cervantes promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes

Thursday, November 6, 2025 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes
Boren Award - Study Abroad Scholarship - Information Session promotional image

Boren Award - Study Abroad Scholarship - Information Session

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 11:30am to 12:30pm
Virtual
The Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are for students who want to dive deep into a less-commonly taught language while studying abroad in places like Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe, or the Middle East. In return, awardees commit to working in the federal government after graduation for at least one year.
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Thursday, November 13, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Cafecito Cervantes promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes

Thursday, November 13, 2025 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes
Stanley Award for International Research - Information Session  promotional image

Stanley Award for International Research - Information Session

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Virtual
Dreaming of doing your own research abroad? The Stanley Award for International Research gives UI students up to $2,500 to design and carry out a research or fieldwork project overseas.
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Thursday, November 20, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Cafecito Cervantes promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes

Thursday, November 20, 2025 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour promotional image

Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour

Wednesday, November 26, 2025 2:00pm to 3:00pm
Phillips Hall
Bate-Papo - Portuguese Conversation Hour
Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Information Session: Iowa Hispanic Institute promotional image

Study Abroad Faculty-led Program Information Session: Iowa Hispanic Institute

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Phillips Hall
Learn more about this faculty-led program designed to improve your written and spoken Spanish and enhance your understanding of Spanish culture and life in Spain.
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