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SPI STUDY ABROAD - BLOG

San Sebastian – Week 2

Ay, week 2 went by SO fast!

As you can imagine, it is so important that we see as much as week can in the time we are here in Spain. Especially for the students staying 2 weeks. We work hard to have a balanced program filled with activities and excursions but also keeping time for some independent exploration.

This week we saw rain unlike our first week, but it did not stop us, we continued on. Excursions along Zumaia, Hondarribia,Biarritz and St Jean de Luz (month students) kept us moving through Spain and France and engaged in the culture. While daily language classes, flamenco/baile classes and Basque cooking lessons kept us learning about the Spanish language and  culture.

At the end of the week we said goodbye to our Summer 1 students but had the opportunity to also welcome a new set of students for our Summer 2 and Month 2 sessions. Adios y Bienvenidos!

Enjoy our day by day recap below!

Monday June 26th

Summer 1 – Excursion to Zumaia

zumaia2  zumaia

Month/6-week – Our month students went to the top of Monte Igueldo and had a blast riding roller coasters and enjoying the best view of SS!

igueldo   igueldo2

Tuesday June 27th

Summer 1 – Flamenco/Baile classes!

flamenco

Month/ 6-week – Basque cooking classes — Students learned some culinary skills to bring home after the program!

 

Wednesday, June 28th

Summer 1 – Excursion to Hondarribia

hondarribia

Month/ 6-week – We visited the famous Monte Urgull!

 

Thursday, June 29th

Summer 1 – Basque Cooking classes – enjoying the cooking but enjoying the eating more!

cookingclass3 cookingclass2

Month/ 6-week – Flamenco/ Baile Classes!

 

Friday, June 30th

Summer 1 – Fiesta Despedida!  Farewell party for Summer 1

adios  adios2

Month/ 6-week – Acuario de Donostia – We visited the Aquarium of San Sebastian

aquarium

Saturday, July 1st 

Summer 1 – Returns to Madrid for departure Sunday morning. Adios y hasta luego!

Month/ 6-week – Visited beautiful Biarritz

stjeandeluz

Sunday, July 2nd

Summer 2 /Month 2-  Bienvenidos a San Sebastian! Students arrived in San Sebastian in the evening after a full day of travel and visiting Segovia. They were met by their homestay families when they got off the bus

homestay

Month/ 6-week – REST DAY

A Life-changing Experience!

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A Life-changing Experience!

Get ready to experience and SPI Abroad program yourself. Learn more about our programs or request more information today.

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Request Your Catalog Today.

Fill out the form below and we will send you a catalog and get in touch. Please note all fields are required.

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ABOUT SPI HIGH SCHOOL STUDY ABROAD

Since 1996, SPI High School Study Abroad offers intensive French, Italian and Spanish language immersion, cultural leadership and volunteer service summer programs in Spain, France, Italy, and Costa Rica.

Top Youth Travel Program

Language Immersion

Spanish Immersion+Leadership

San Sebastian, Spain
Santander, Spain

Spanish Immersion+Volunteer

Costa Rica

French Immersion+Leadership

Biarritz, France

Italian Immersion+Leadership

Siena, Italy

Explore SPI Abroad

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SPI Study Abroad

P: 512-502-7505
[email protected]

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Copyright 2019 SPI Study Abroad | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy & Terms

On-Site Supervision Team Abroad

We hire bilingual high school teachers, university professors, and caring local staff who, as a team, serve as international “moms and dads” throughout the program. Directors actively participate in all aspects of the immersion experience: helping with housing adjustments, checking in on classes, and making sure students are taking advantage of the wonderful excursion and activity opportunities. All SPI staff go through extensive reference checks.

Training & Experience

Directors are selected based on their experience working with teenagers in an international setting, their ability to communicate fluently in the language of study, and their academic & professional background. All on-site staff go through an intensive training process.

Daily Supervision

Students are expected to be respectful of their directors’ guidelines and abide by the SPI standards of conduct at all times. SPI directors and program staff are available 24 hours a day. Directors check in with students on a daily basis in the mornings, afternoons, and evenings; they also frequently monitor all aspects of each student’s progress. Homestays and residence directors are contacted to learn how students are adjusting, and to handle any concerns. Daily curfews are enforced.

Student Behavior Expectations

Since 1996, we have proudly attracted an academically-minded student body focused on improving their language skills and growing from cultural experiences. At SPI, we take our role as teachers seriously — we recognize that we are responsible for guiding students through one of their most life-changing experiences. We expect students not only to abide by our standards of conduct at all times, but also to serve as ambassadors of their local communities, schools, and cities.

No Alcohol Policy

SPI maintains a strict policy against the use of alcohol. Directors check in with students in the evenings; however, parents are expected to review our standards of conduct with their children and set clear family expectations prior to the start of the program with regards to their behavior abroad.

Afternoon Elective Activities

Our meaningful afternoon elective activities make local culture, art, architecture, museums, sports, and attractions come to life! Each program offers a variety of engaging activities designed to combine serious fun with truly inspiring “once in a lifetime” experiences. Electives are not included in the program price, and we suggest students budget $100 per week for participation in these incredible learning experiences.

Common Afternoon Electives

> CULTURAL: Cooking, Dance, Art & Architecture, Museum & Theater Visits, Local Sporting & Cultural Events

> SPORTS: Surfing, Volleyball, Soccer, Kayaking, Snorkeling, Hikes & Walks

> ENRICHMENT: Photography, College Prep (Essay Writing, Admissions Prep), Photography, Guest Speakers

Sample Travel Excursions

SPAIN: Bilbao, Pamplona, Santander, San Sebastian, Guernika, Biarritz (France), Comillas, Picos de Europa

FRANCE: Bordeaux, Bayonne, Anglet, San Sebastian (Spain), St. Jean de Luz, Pyrenees Mountains

COSTA RICA: Liberia, Cloud Forest, Puntarenas, Rincon de la Vieja, Tamarindo Beach

ITALY: Florence, Orvieto, San Gimignano, San Vincezo, Castiglione della Pescaia

Our Screening & Selection Process

Students live with roommates in a local homestay or student residence that is experienced in hosting foreign students. SPI has worked with most participating homestays and student residences for a number of years, and they understand students are there to learn the language and experience the culture. SPI diligently screens each homestay and student residence facility with the following in mind: safety, location, cleanliness, and previous experience hosting students.

HOMESTAY EXPECTATIONS

Most homestays have hosted students for many years and take their jobs and duties as cultural ambassadors very seriously. Our foreign schools also work with each family on a year-round basis to ensure a positive experience is had by each student. It is critical to understand that most homestays come from humble means and different dynamics.

Location of Housing

All housing options are located within a 10-30 minute commute from the school. Students will walk or take the local bus, which is a safe and normal way for students their age to get around in our host cities. The majority of our housing options are located in the same areas where students will be close to each other.

Evening Curfews

Student curfews are set based on what a culturally appropriate weekday and weekend curfew would be for teenagers in the country of study. This is normally between 10 PM – 11 PM on weekdays and a little later on the weekends depending on location and group dynamic. As an important safety measure, program staff diligently monitor student curfews. Specific curfews are listed on each program page for your reference. 

Typical Housing Dynamics

Students are well supported in all housing options and are provided with: meals, a living and study space, laundry service or facilities, linens and towels. It is fundamental that students have an open mind to trying new foods and living in an environment different than “home” to benefit from this transformative experience!

HOMESTAY EXPECTATIONS
Although SPI homestays come in all shapes and sizes, the majority are older couples or single/widowed women in their 50s – 60s who have extra room in their home and are eager to host students. We have found this dynamic provides the best support, the most interaction, and the most culturally rich experience. Some homestays do have children, but students should keep in mind that homestays with children are busier and often offer less interaction — much like a busy American family.

Language Course Overview

The language courses focus on developing communication skills by simulating real-life situations through interactive class activities that include writing, oral expression, film, music, food, and literature.

> 2 Hours – Grammatical Concepts

> 1-2 Hours – Conversation, Culture, Literature, Film, etc.

> Small class sizes with levels 1 through AP/IB

College Credit Opportunity

SPI uses foreign universities and accredited language institutes for coursework abroad. These institutions provide high school students, upon successful completion of their courses, with an official transcript that they may use to petition college credit from their future university or college. Official transcripts are first sent to SPI in September, and then we will mail an official copy of the transcript in a sealed envelope to each participant. You will mail the official transcript packet directly to your U.S. university once you are enrolled.

Credit Hours vs. Credit Granted

Most SPI language immersion programs give 30-80 contact hours, or classroom hours, enabling for a potential of up to 1-6 semester college credit hours by your university. Contact hours are treated differently at every school. Some schools will grant specific class credit for the hours (e.g., Spanish), although most give a general foreign language or elective credit. Normally, 15 Contact/Class Hours = 1 College Credit Hour.

IMPORTANT:  Due to the nature of college credit granting by each individual U.S. university, it is impossible for SPI to guarantee credit for any student.