What type of field will I be training on?
The fields you will be training on are made of artificial turf.
What type of soccer shoes do I need?
You will need soccer shoes suitable for artificial turf grounds.
How long are training sessions?
Trainings will last for about 1hr and 30 min.
When do the training sessions take place?
Trainings will be held in the evenings. Generally practices take place from 9:00pm - 10:30pm or 8:00pm - 9:30pm
How many training seesions take place per week?
Teams generally practice 2-3 times per week. Students that join and play weekly with the team will train 3 times per week. Students that don't manage to make the team might only be able to train some weeks twice.
Are the trainings held in Spanish?
Yes. You will be training with Spaniards on a Spanish team with Spanish coaches. This is an important aspect of the cultural immersion part of the program; through the soccer program you will be surrounded in a constant Spanish speaking environment and this will give you a great opportunity to improve your Spanish.
How many American players will there be on a team?
There will be a maximum of 3 American players per team. On the womens team they can be a maximum of 6 players.
What age are the players on the team?
The players ostly range between 18 and 23 years old.
Is transportation to trainings included in the total program cost?
No, transportation is not included.
How much money will I spend on transportation to trainings?
Approximately $150 in total for the semester.
How far are the training grounds from your home?
All training grounds are no further than a 20-30min bus or metro ride or in some cases a 20-40 minute walk.
Will I be able to go see an official professional soccer match?
Yes, we will organize to go watch a professional "La Liga" soccer match in the spring term.
Will I play against other Spanish clubs?
Yes, for those sutdent-athletes that don't manage to join the Spanish team, we will organize a minimum of 1 friendly match throughout the term. If the calendar of the Spanish team allows it we will organize a second friendly match.
Will I have the chance to play in any other matches?
Yes, for those of you who don't manage to join the team we will help you join pick-up matches organized with other Spanish, or foreign players. These matches will be generally 5v5, 7v7 or even on 11v11 soccer fields. Contact the program manager, Sean Chipres, at seanrc@saiie.com for more information.
Will I be able to join the team and play on a weekly base? Yes. Its the Spanish Head Coach desicion but if he agrees it is up to the student to join or not the team.