Spain - Summer Cultural Exploration

Explore

Learn Spanish in one of the most exciting and beautiful cities in the world—Barcelona! Sprawled between the beaches of the Mediterranean and the mountains of Montjuïc, Barcelona is an avant-garde, multicultural meeting place where the undulating Art Nouveau structures of Antoni Gaudí like the famous Sagrada Familia and the medieval architecture of the Gothic Quarter combine to form a fascinating European metropolis. Barcelona is not only the capital of the region of Catalonia, but is also the Spanish center of fashion, art, architecture and gastronomy. It's considered the most diverse and cosmopolitan city in Spain.

Learn

Intensive Spanish courses take place in the morning, Monday through Friday, for four hours per day. Students will be given a placement exam upon arrival and assigned to a class of the appropriate level. Students will broaden their language comprehension by watching Spanish films, listening to music and even learning how to make traditional Spanish and Catalan dishes! The school is housed in a building equipped with all the amenities you could need, including a computer lab, common rooms and access for the handicapped.

Experience

Two to three afternoons per week, organized cultural and leisure activities allow for further exploration of Barcelona and the surrounding areas. Typical activities include visits to the Picasso museum, the Tibidabo amusement park, the magic fountain water show at Montjuïc, the famous Boqueria market and outings to the beach. Scavenger hunts in Barcelona's historic center, a visit to Gaudí's Parque Güell and a walking tour of las Ramblas are also offered. All organized activities are facilitated by an On-Site Coordinator.

Travel

On the weekends, students will experience some of Spain's wonders through the following organized and included excursions:

• Montserrat: Enjoy the mysterious, monolithic peaks of Montserrat – the "saw-tooth mountain" – a national park offering breathtaking views across the plain all the way to Barcelona and the sea.
• Tarragona: Stroll through Tarragona – "the Balcony of the Mediterranean" – one of the most elegant cities of the Iberian peninsula.
• Figueras: In Figueras, explore the birthplace of Salvador Dalí and the extravagant museum which the artist designed himself.
• Program Finale: La Costa Brava! The program will conclude with a special multi-day excursion to the Costa Brava. Students will spend the last couple of days relaxing on the sandy beaches of Girona or Sitges.

Housing

Students will stay with carefully selected host families (2 students per room). Homestays allow for a deeper immersion into Spanish culture and provide invaluable personal contact with native Spanish speakers. Adjustment to host family life and Spanish culture will be assisted by an On-Site Coordinator. There is a 10:30pm curfew for this program on weekdays and 11:30pm on weekends.

Requirements

• 15–18 years old
• 2.5 GPA or higher (4.0 scale)
• Flexible and mature personality; desire to be challenged, ability to remain open-minded and tolerant of cultural differences