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

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026

Thursday, March 26, 2026 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 Schedule
Masterclass: Clara Obligado (Ida Beam / José Donoso Series) promotional image

Masterclass: Clara Obligado (Ida Beam / José Donoso Series)

Tuesday, March 31, 2026 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Phillips Hall
A Conversation with Clara Obligado
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026

Thursday, April 2, 2026 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 Schedule
 Spanish Showcase promotional image

Spanish Showcase

Friday, April 3, 2026 9:00am to 3:45pm
Phillips Hall
Spanish Showcase

Emerson Craig PhD Defense

Friday, April 3, 2026 12:30pm to 2:00pm
Phillips Hall
Dissertation Defense: Queer Cosmopolitanism and In-Between Spaces in María Luisa Bombal's La última niebla and Clarice Lispector's Perto do coração selvagem
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026

Thursday, April 9, 2026 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 Schedule
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026

Thursday, April 16, 2026 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 Schedule
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 promotional image

Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026

Thursday, April 23, 2026 4:00pm to 4:45pm
Virtual
Cafecito Cervantes Spring 2026 Schedule

Student Employment Job Fair

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 11:00am to 2:00pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the variety of student hourly and Work-Study jobs available on the UI campus & at qualified off-campus nonprofit Work-Study sites.

The University is excited to have students consider campus employment. Research shows that students who are connected to campus are more successful and more likely to continue enrollment and do well academically. Many first-year students choose student employment as their Pick One.

Typically more than 30...

All Majors Career Fair

Thursday, September 24, 2026 11:00am to 4:00pm
Iowa Memorial Union (IMU)

This job and internship fair will focus on recruiting students in ALL MAJORS! Typically about 100+ employers attend and 1,000+ students attend!

Visit careers.uiowa.edu/all-majors-career-fair for more details.

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