Spain - Overview

• Premier Spain summer program for high school students completing grades 9, 10, 11, 12
• Choose from courses in Spanish Language Immersion, Spanish Cooking, Art, Dancing and more!
• Full program of afternoon, evening and weekend activities & excursions included in tuition!
• Explore Plaza Catalonia, Parc Guell, Plaza del Sol & more!
• Excursions to Sagrada Familia, Girona, Montserrat & more!
• *June 30 departure from the U.S., with July 1st arrival in Spain
• 4 week Study Abroad program; 3 weeks Barcelona + 1 week Madrid

Special Options include:

• Optional College Credit Available
• Princeton Review SAT Prep
• Community Service

Study Abroad in Spain!

From its dazzling beaches to its ancient castles, Spain is a country as diverse as the cultures which have influenced its art, architecture, music and lifestyle. It is a land where cathedrals and castles are interspersed with skyscrapers; where modern rock mixes with flamenco guitar. Spain offers some of the world’s most famous museums, resorts, fantastic food and festivals, making it a unique and awesome destination.

Spanish is the second most widely spoken language in the world. There are more than 35 million Spanish speakers in the USA, and it’s the official language of 22 countries. Summer Discovery students will be immersed in Spanish culture amongst Spanish natives. Knowing a language is more than just learning the formal structure; it’s learning to communicate with the people who speak it.

Barcelona (3 Weeks)

Students will experience the Mediterranean spirit and cosmopolitan atmosphere of this vital, cheerful city that blends quirky modernism with a 2,000 year history. Surrounded by mountains and beaches, Barcelona is Catalonia’s capital of style and consumption. The New York Times recently wrote, “Barcelona’s cosmopolitan people, vibrant street life, and Paris-meets-Miami architecture is what makes the city so exciting.” Add to the mix an amazing array of cool sights like Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia and the Olympic Village, funky neighborhoods like Barri Gotic, and El Raval, we’re sure you’ll agree that Barcelona is the place to be.

Madrid (1 Week)

Spain’s beautiful capital is a lively, thriving city, famous for late-night fiestas and cultural attractions. The streets of Madrid are always bustling with people in lively sidewalk cafés or strolling along the tree-lined Paseo del Prado. Highlights include the Palacio Real, a shrine to royal extravagance, and the Plaza Mayor, where throngs gather day and night in hip outdoor cafes, listening to music, and eating tapas. The city boasts several world renowned museums, including the Prado and the Reina Sofia, which feature works by Goya, Picasso, Dali and Miro.

Living and Learning Together in One Residence

All Summer Discovery students live together in one hotel in Barcelona and Madrid—a special feature of our programs. This enables students and staff to develop the close-knit community of living under one roof. Although our students benefit from the greater university community, they have a distinct “home”, which provides immeasurable social, educational and safety benefits.

1st Class Hotels in Barcelona (3 weeks) & Madrid (1 week)

Our home in Barcelona is the brand new, first-class Hotel dQ, the city’s most beautiful student residence featuring fitness center, swimming pool and restaurants. Perfectly located on the Gran Via and within walking distance of the Plaza Catalonia. In Madrid it’s the contemporary, first-class NH Alberto Aguilera near the Plaza de Espana. Both hotels feature air-conditioned rooms with private bathrooms, satellite TV and wireless internet.

Food For Thought

Spanish food is fresh and delicious. (Don’t confuse Mexican food with Spanish cuisine – think fresh fruits, veggies, fish and meats, not tacos.) Students purchase lunch on their own in a variety of cafes, restaurants and tapas bars. Students will enjoy breakfast at our hotels and experience different restaurants each evening throughout the city. Special note: lunch and dinner meal times are later in Spain than in the USA. Typically, lunch will begin at about 1:30pm and dinner will begin at 8:30pm or later.

Health, Safety and Security

• The health, safety and security of each student is our primary concern. 
• For 24 hour/ emergency care, students are taken to Hospital Clinic de Barcelona and the Hospital Universitario in Madrid.
• Our hotels have bilingual doctors on call 24 hours a day.
• Summer Discovery staff make all medical appointments, transport and accompany student to medical facilities, obtain prescription medications and notify parents after medical visits.
• Resident counselors live in the residence with Summer Discovery students.
• For additional safety, there are daily/nightly sign-ins and room checks.
• In keeping with a collegiate atmosphere, students are permitted to walk on campus and in our “home area”, but are required to be in small groups.

Transportation

• It is a short walk/metro ride to all of our classrooms and athletic facilities. 
• For large group excursions chartered buses with professional drivers, and public transportation are used.
• Summer Discovery provides escorted transfers to/from the airports in Spain for $60 each way. Staff meet the Summer Discovery flight after customs and assists with departures. Travel arrangements must be made through Musiker Travel, our own travel agency.
• Our group flight departs the USA from New York’s JFK airport the evening of June 30 and arrives in Barcelona on the morning of July 1. All students from the U.S. are required to take this group flight. From Barcelona to Madrid students are transferred by private motor coach with Summer Discovery staff.
• The return flight is from Barcelona for 3 week students, or from Madrid for 4 week students to New York’s JFK airport.