- Spanish language immersion, for college credit
- Live, study & travel in Madrid, Valencia, & Barcelona
- Spanish Cultural Classes
- Miles and miles of white sand beaches
- *June 26 departure from the U.S., with June 27 arrival in Spain
- 4 week program; 1 week Madrid + 2 weeks Valencia +1 week Barcelona
- 3 week program; 1 week Madrid + 2 weeks Valencia
- Optional college credit available
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 among Spanish natives. Knowing a language is more than just learning the formal structure; it’s learning to communicate with the people that speak it.
4 Week Credit and Enrichment Courses for Students Completing 10,11,12
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 partygoers in noisy sidewalk cafes 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, Picassa, Dali, and Miro.
From sandy beaches to magnificent mountain peaks, Valencia, Spain’s third largest city, is an exhilarating mix of ancient and modern, history, art, cool culture, and civic pride. This attractive city on the Mediterranean Sea enjoys a mild climate, constant sunshine, rich cuisine (Paella was born here) and frenetic festivals. With award-winning, avant-garde architecture, contemporary, cutting edge universities and a bustling nightlife, Valencia is a world class city in every respect.
Students on the 4-week program 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.
All Summer Discovery students live together in one residence hall in Valencia, and one hotel in Madrid and Barcelona—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.
Summer Discovery students and staff live in the Colegio Mayor Galileo Galilei, on the campus Universidad Politecnica de Valencia (UPV), the largest and most modern university residence in Spain. The residence is close to both the historic city center and the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea. Students are surrounded by Spanish-speaking students, and a friendly bilingual staff. Each air-conditioned, double room features private bathrooms (with showers), wireless internet and a telephone. The residence also features a music room, full service bank, mini-mart, computer lab, two dining halls, a 24-hour, hotel style reception area and is next to state-of-the-art sports facilities.
Spanish food is fresh and delicious. (Don’t confuse Mexican food with Spanish cuisine – think fresh fruits, veggies, fish and meats, not tacos.) While in Valencia, students receive breakfast and dinner in the Galileo Galilei residence dining rooms. Students purchase lunch on their own in a variety of cafes, restaurants and tapas bars. In Madrid and Barcelona, students will enjoy breakfast at our hotels and experience different restaurants each evening throughout the city. As in Valencia, students purchase their own lunch. 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.
- The health, safety and security of each student is our primary concern.
- For 24 hour/ emergency care, students are taken to Hospital Clinico Universitario.
- In Madrid and Barcelona, our hotels have bilingual doctors on call 24 hours a day. In Galileo Galilei residence, there is a bilingual doctor that is on duty every weekday.
- 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.
- It is a short walk 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 $50 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 26 and arrives in Madrid on the morning of June 27. All students from the U.S. are required to take this group flight. From Madrid and Valencia, and Valencia to Barcelona students are transferred by private motor coach with Summer Discovery staff. The return flight for the 3-week program is from Valencia to New York’s JFK airport. The return flight for the 4-week program is from Barcelona to New York’s JFK airport.
