No passport required.

OCCC’s Spanish Immersion Weekend is the easiest way to study abroad without having to leave the country, Spanish Professor Ginnett Rollins said.

She said the weekend of April 11 through 13 is better known as a weekend of learning Spanish, expanding vocabulary and exploring different Hispanic cultures.

This one-credit-hour course is held at Canyon Camp and Retreat Center in Hinton, about 55 miles west of the OCCC campus.

Over the course of this weekend, students will get to enjoy the company of others and participate in numerous activities.

But they must commit to speaking Spanish, and only Spanish, most of the time, Rollins said.

“We show at least one film, play games, go on nature walks around the camp,” she said.

“But a lot of the time, students get to determine what we get to do.”

The cost is $103 for tuition and fees, plus $145 for food, lodging and activities at the camp.

“We actually have approximately five to six new Spanish speakers who are volunteering for the weekend from different countries and different nations,” Rollins said.

“We have a professor from Spain and a student from Ecuador who will be joining us as well.”

Rollins said this gives each student a chance to encounter different dialects, nationalities and diverse Hispanic cultures.

Also, they will have the opportunity to learn some Spanish dances such as the Flamenco, salsa and other moves.

The purpose of this course is to give students the confidence they need in order to speak Spanish, Rollins said.

The course gives students the assurance of knowing they do not have to rely on someone else to interpret for them.

The deadline for enrollment is Friday, April 4.

To enroll for the course, go to the registration office on the first floor of the Main Building or visit http://mineonline.occc.edu and search for “SPAN 1151” or “Spanish Immersion.”

For more information, contact Rollins at 682-1611 ext. 7704 or at grollins@occc.edu.