Prices & Dates
Summer 1: June 15 – July 1, 2012 - $3,595 + Airfare
Summer 2: June 29 – July 15, 2012 - $3,595 + Airfare
Month: June 15 – July 15, 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: Univ. of Cantabria or UIMP
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 Santander
SPI’s longest-running Spanish immersion summer program since 1996, Santander has maintained its popularity as an ideal location for students seeking an authentic immersion experience. Located along Spain’s breathtaking mountainous northern coastline, Santander provides an inspiring setting. Historically frequented by Spanish royalty, this vibrant city comes to life each summer with its many amazing beaches, boutiques, outdoor cafes, and restaurants. The Picos de Europa mountain range sets the backdrop for the amazing Magdalena Palace which sits perched above the city and sea. Santander enjoys a pleasantly mild climate, even during the summer months, attracting Spanish families year round. Each summer, the city of Santander offers a whirlwind of festivities, concerts, galleries, bull fights and many other exciting cultural events leaving you with memories that last a lifetime!
History of Santander | Map of Santander
What Students Say
The classes at the university were great and the teachers were so nice and friendly! But, I actually learned the most from talking everyday with my host mother and the people that I met on the beach or in the centro. I couldn’t have had those opportunities if I’d stayed home!
Learning to surf in Santander was an incredible experience! The boat trip to Somo Beach was really cool and a great way to relax after studying.
Studying abroad in Santander with SPI was a once in a lifetime experience! You wont know how much you loved it and how much you’ll miss it until you return back home.
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 to 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 Information: 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 Santander to meet your homestay!
Evening: Arrive in Santander and greet your homestay! Enjoy the first night getting to know your homestay sharing by 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 university staff and take place not far from the center of Santander. 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 Santander on a guided orientation tour.
Evening: Enjoy a nice meal with your homestay! Mealtime is very important in Spain and where 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 Learn More about Housing Options & Curfews |
| Days 5-8 |  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: 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: flamenco classes, hikes around Santander’s beautiful coastline, beach volleyball, a night at “El Cine” to watch Spanish movies, a boat trip to Somo, surf lessons, and many others.
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring Santander and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your homestay. |
| Day 9 |  Morning: Head to the beautiful Picos de Europa Mountains and national park for an all day excursion in the nearby province of Asturias!Afternoon: Upon arriving into Fuente Dé, ride the cable car to the top of the mountains where you will enjoy a short hike and visit to the observation deck. Enjoy a packed lunch from your homestay atop the peaks overlooking the green Cantabrian valley below.
Evening: Return to Santander in the early evening for a relaxing evening meal with your homestay and 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 Santander’s pristine beaches. This is also a great opportunity to explore Santander more by eating at restaurants, shopping, and taking in the sights. |
| Days 11-15 |  Morning: Light breakfast at home. Continued 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 elective activities include: flamenco dance lessons, a visit to the Cabo Mayor lighthouse with lunch on a secluded beach, bowling, shopping at the local mall, a visit to the Santander soccer stadium, and many others!
Evening: Enjoy the evening with your homestay in Santander. Day 15 will be the last evening for Summer 1 & 2 students and a small farewell event will be planned after dinner with your homestay to say goodbye to Santander. |
| Day 16 |  Summer 1 & 2 Morning: Say adios to your homestay and travel to the historic city and former capital of Spain, Toledo! (A packed lunch will be provided.)Summer 1 & 2 Afternoon: Arrive in Toledo! Here, you’ll get to explore the historic sites with a guided tour to the Cathedral, El Greco Museum, Alcazar and the City Walls. Toledo is a great place to purchase all the typical Spanish souvenirs to take home if you didn’t already in Santander!
Summer 1 & 2 Madrid Airport Hotel & Contact Info: Hotel Auditorium Madrid Airport Summer 1 & 2 Evening: Return to Madrid where you will spend the night at a hotel near the airport. You’ll have a special final dinner (included) with the group and share memories of your time in Spain! Summer Month All Day: Full day excursion to Pais Vasco and Bilbao. Today you will visit the Guggenheim Museum and explore the neighboring Basque region. Notice the slight culinary and cultural differences between the two regions! |
| Day 17 | Summer 1 & 2 Morning: Light breakfast included. Wake up early and travel from Toledo to Madrid-Barajas International Airport via private bus. Depart Spain with a life changing experience you’ll remember for the rest of your life!Summer Month All Day: Enjoy a relaxing day in Santander with your homestay and new friends! |
| Day 18-22 |  Morning: Continued regular SPI Spanish language immersion courses. Watch your skills continue to progress into week three of your study abroad experience in Santander!Afternoon: Continued elective activities include: Exchanges with local students, optional volunteer project, cultural museums around Santander, and volleyball or soccer on the beach.
Evening: Spend the early evening exploring Santander and all that is it has to offer. After, enjoy a nice meal with your host family. |
| Day 23 |  All Day: Enjoy a full day excursion to a typical Cantabrian village outside of Santander. Enjoy the day hiking, exploring and seeing first-hand the life in the Spanish countryside.Evening: Return to Santander in the evening for dinner with your homestay. A fun organized activity with directors will be planned after dinner. |
| Day 24 |  All Day: Enjoy a relaxing day with your homestay and new friends! Spend time exploring new places in Santander you have not visited yet. |
| Day 25-29 |  Morning: Continued regular SPI Spanish Language Immersion courses. After class, return home for lunch.Afternoon: Continued elective activities will be selected on-site and potential activities include: Continued exchanges with local students, flamenco, photography contest, visit the cathedral in Santander part of the Camino de Santiago.
Evening: On day 29 enjoy your final evening in Santander with your host family and friends! After dinner with your homestay, you will meet with your group for one final “adios” to Santander. |
| Day 30 |  Morning: Say goodbye to your homestay and travel to the historic city of Toledo! Toledo is situated just outside of Madrid and is a perfect city to explore as you soak in your last full day in Spain. (A packed lunch will be provided by your homestay.)Afternoon: Arrive in Toledo! Here, you’ll get to explore the historic sites with a guided tour to the Cathedral, El Greco Museum, Alcazar and the City Walls. Toledo is a great place to purchase all the typical Spanish souvenirs to take home if you didn’t already in Santander!
Madrid Airport Hotel & Contact Info: Hotel Auditorium Madrid Airport Evening: Return to Madrid where you will spend the night at a hotel near the airport. You’ll have a special final dinner (included) with the group and share memories of your time in Spain! |
| Day 31 | Morning: Light breakfast included. Wake up early and head to the Madrid-Barajas International Airport for your flight back home. Depart Spain with memories of Spain you will remember the rest of your life! |