Prices & Dates
Summer 1: June 15 – July 1, 2012 - $3,595 + Airfare
Summer 2: June 29 – July 15, 2012 - $3,595 + Airfare
Month: June 29 – July 29, 2012 - $6,195 + Airfare
Program Details
Age Requirement: Completing grades 9-12
Language Requirement: 1 year of Spanish
Flight Information: Designated Flight Information
School Name: Instituto Tandem or Academia Lacunza
Course Hours: 40 Hours (Summer 1 & 2) & 80 Hours (Month) of Spanish Language & Culture
On-Site Leadership: On-Site Directors
Teacher Travelers: TBA
About SPI San Sebastián
Located on the beach in the lush rolling hills of northern Spain, San Sebastián is an inviting and enchanting city where old meets new. For years European families have traveled to San Sebastián, also called Donostia, to relax, surf and enjoy the city’s pristine beaches and surrounding landscapes. Founded in 1524, the city serves as the capital of the Guipuzkoa province of Spain and has over the years evolved into a culturally rich cosmopolitan destination, ideal for Spanish language and immersion students. The SPI Spanish immersion program allows you to truly experience life in San Sebastián as a native – students live with a caring homestay family, attend Spanish classes during the week, and travel to some of the country’s most amazing sites! The San Sebastián program will captivate and inspire you as you immerse with locals or “donostiarras”, participate in a variety of exciting cultural activities, and soak up the beauty of this region and its culture. You simply won’t want to leave!
History of San Sebastián | Map of San Sebastián
What Students Say
Learning to surf in San Sebastián was so much fun! The beaches there are so beautiful and it was great the school was so close tot hem so we could go hang out and relax after class.
I loved my host family in San Sebastián! My señora was like a Spanish version of my own mom. It really helped my Spanish to go home and practice with my family. I still keep in touch with them via email, which is helping me keep up what I learned!
The food in San Sebastián is amazing! My homestay mom was also the best cook! It was so fun to go and try all the different tapas and pintxos, I learned a lot of new food vocabulary that way.
Itinerary:
| Day 1 |  Departure Day: Depart for Madrid, Spain! Most flights from the U.S. will leave in the mid afternoon or evening and arrive in Madrid the following morning. You will travel from your home city and connect to meet SPI staff and other group members to travel on the designated international flight to Madrid. View Flight Information |
| Day 2 |  Arrival Morning: Arrive at Madrid-Barajas International Airport where you will be met by SPI on-site directors and teacher travelers. From here, you will meet any students traveling on different airlines and transfer to the hotel located in the heart of the city’s art district. Your on-site director will collect your passport to hold for the duration of the program. At the hotel, you will have time to freshen up after your long journey!Madrid Hotel & Contact Info: Hotel HUSA Paseo del Arte
Afternoon: Get to know your directors and fellow travelers over an orientation lunch followed by a walking tour of central Madrid (of course with a typical afternoon siesta to break up the amazing sightseeing!) Marvel at the world’s most prized art at the Prado Museum, followed by a walk around the crossroads of Spain, the Puerta del Sol. Time permitting, we will make our way through historic Madrid with a visit to the Plaza Mayor and the Royal Palace. (Lunch and dinner will be paid for on your own so you can start practicing using Euros!) Evening: Enjoy an evening dinner at our first night hotel getting to know your group and directors more. We will also have another orientation briefing before getting some much needed sleep! |
| Day 3 |  Morning: Enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel. After breakfast, depart for the inspiring historic town of Segovia!Afternoon: Upon arrival in Segovia, visit the Alcazar Castle where Columbus obtained permission to sail to America. Enjoy lunch overlooking one of Spain’s best preserved ancient monuments, the Roman Aqueduct, built in the 1st Century. After lunch and strolling the cobble stone streets, depart for San Sebastián to meet your homestay!
Evening: Arrive in San Sebastián and greet your homestay! Enjoy the first night getting to know your homestay by sharing pictures and getting your mind thinking in Spanish! It is a good idea to bring a small gift from your hometown to break the ice. Your homestay will also help familiarize you with the city on the map and help get you to school the following morning. |
| Day 4 |  Morning:Today you’ll start your Spanish language immersion courses at our partner institution. Classes are taught by language school staff and the school is located close to the beach. You will take a placement test to evaluate your level of Spanish and be placed into the correct class. SPI Spanish immersion courses focus on the practical acquisition of the language and are both challenging and fun!Afternoon: Spend the afternoon exploring and getting to know San Sebastián on a guided orientation tour.
Evening: Enjoy a nice meal with your homestay! Mealtime is very important in Spain and when you’ll use your language skills and immerse into the culture. Be sure to let your homestay know in advance if you are going to miss a meal. Many students will meet after dinner for an ice cream and a typical stroll around the neighborhood. Weekday Curfew: 11 PM Weekend Curfew: 12 AM More Information on Housing Options & Curfews |
| Days 5-8 | Morn ing: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI Spanish language immersion courses. Watch your skills progress as you learn Spanish from native speakers! After class, return home for lunch.Afternoon: Elective activities will be offered three days a week normally on Mon/Wed/Fri (weather permitting.) On Tues/Thurs directors will offer an optional activity such as a cultural event or performance. Elective activities will be selected on-site and potential activities include: beach volleyball, surf lessons, a visit to the local Aquarium, Salsa or Flamenco class, hike to Monte Urgull Park and Café Social with locals to practice Spanish.
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring San Sebastián and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your homestay. |
| Day 9 |  Morning: Head across the border to the beautiful French seaside town of Biarritz, where you’ll get to experience some of the Basque French language and culture! Enjoy your time walking up and down the beautiful streets of Biarritz.Afternoon: Eat at a local French restaurant and enjoy the shopping that Biarritz has to offer. Enjoy a stop in the small port town of St. Jean de Luz, an even quainter beach paradise, on your way home to explore the outdoor markets and admire the French Basque architecture.
Evening: Arrive back to San Sebastián where you’ll have dinner with your homestay followed by a fun activity with your director. |
| Day 10 |  All Day: Enjoy a nice full day with your homestay and new friends. Soak up some sun on one of San Sebastián pristine beaches. This is also a great opportunity to explore San Sebastián more by eating at restaurants, shopping, and taking in the sights. |
| Days 11-15 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI Spanish language immersion courses. Watch your skills progress as you learn Spanish from native speakers! After class, return home for lunch.Afternoon: Continued potential afternoon activities include: dance lessons, a boat trip to Pasajes de San Juan, cooking class, sports on the beach, Café Social, movie night in Spanish, and a potential trip to the city of Bilbao.
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring San Sebastián and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your homestay. On day 15, Summer 1 & 2 will enjoy your last evening in San Sebastián, so be sure to buy any last souvenirs and spend some time with your hosts and new friends! After dinner, you will meet with your group for one final “adios” to San Sebastian. |
| Day 16 |  Summer 1 & 2 Morning: Say goodbye to your homestay and travel to the historic city and former capital of Spain, Toledo! (A packed lunch will be provided by your homestay.)Summer 1 & 2 Afternoon: Arrive in Toledo! Here, you’ll explore some of Spain’s most historic sites (time permitting) such as Toledo’s Gothic Cathedral, El Greco Museum, the Alcazar and the City Walls. Toledo is a great place to purchase all the typical Spanish souvenirs to take home!
Madrid Airport Hotel & Contact Info: Hotel Auditorium Madrid Airport Summer 1 & 2 Evening: You’ll have your final dinner with the group and share memories of your time abroad. Summer Month All Day: Full day excursion to Bilbao with a visit the world famous Guggenheim Museum. Experience this recently modernized and bustling Basque city from an insider’s perspective as you marvel at the old town’s architecture and charm. Return to San Sebastián in the early evening for a nice meal with your homestay followed by a fun evening activity with your director. |
| Day 17 | Summer 1 & 2 Morning: Light breakfast included. Wake up early and transfer to the nearby Madrid-Barajas International Airport. Depart Spain with memories you will remember for the rest of your life!Summer Month All Day: Enjoy a relaxing Sunday with your homestay family. |
| Day 18-22 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Regular SPI Spanish language immersion courses. Watch your skills progress as you learn Spanish from native speakers! After class, return home for lunch.Afternoon: Continued afternoon potential elective activities include: exchanges with local students, visits to cultural museums around San Sebastian, continued surf lessons, and volleyball or soccer on the beach, movie night in Spanish, trip to the local shopping mall, and more!
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring San Sebastián and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your homestay. |
| Day 23 |  Morning: Head to the beautiful towns of Zumaia or Zarautz, two beautiful Basque seaside towns! Here, you’ll get to experience Basque culture in a different city!Afternoon: Enjoy the day in the seaside town of Zumaia or Zarautz where depending on the weather you’ll get a walking tour through town, do some surfing, beach volleyball, a visit to art museums or historic church of San Pedro.
Evening: Head back to San Sebastián to enjoy dinner with your homestay followed by a fun activity with your director. |
| Day 24 |  All Day: Enjoy a nice full day with your homestay and new friends. Soak up some sun on one of San Sebastián pristine beaches.This is also a great opportunity to explore San Sebastián more by eating at restaurants, shopping, and taking in the sights. |
| Days 25-29 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Continued regular SPI Spanish language immersion courses. Watch your skills continue to progress as you master grammatical concepts and improve your fluency! After class, return home for lunch.Afternoon: Continued afternoon potential elective activities include: exchanges with local students, continued surf or salsa dance classes, photography contest, take funicular up to Monte Igueldo for beautiful panoramic view of San Sebastián and its breathtaking landscapes, jazz festival, and many others!
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring San Sebastián and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your homestay. |
| Day 30 |  Morning: Say goodbye to your homestay and travel to the historic city and former capital of Spain, Toledo! (A packed lunch will be provided by your homestay.)Afternoon: Arrive in Toledo! Here, you’ll explore some of Spain’s most historic sites (time permitting) such as Toledo’s Gothic Cathedral, El Greco Museum, the Alcazar and the City Walls. Toledo is a great place to purchase all the typical Spanish souvenirs to take home!
Madrid Airport Hotel & Contact Info: Hotel Auditorium Madrid Airport Evening: You’ll have your final dinner with the group and share memories of your time in Spain! |
| Day 31 | Morning: Light breakfast included. Wake up early and transfer to the nearby Madrid-Barajas International Airport. Depart Spain with memories you will remember for the rest of your life! |