2017 Sessions
Madrid Experience Add-On- $995
Madrid 1: June 13 – June 17
Madrid 2: June 27 – July 1
Two Week – $3,895
Summer 1: June 16 – July 2
Summer 2: June 30 – July 16
Four Week – $6,995
Month 1: June 16 – July 16
Madrid Experience
Pre-Requisites
AP/IB Preparation
What's Included
Flight Information
Elegance on Spain’s Northern Coast…
Santander is SPI’s longest-running Spanish immersion program since 1996, and it has maintained its popularity as an ideal location for high school students seeking an authentic study abroad 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, and attracts 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 study abroad memories that last a lifetime!
SANTANDER PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Academics & Leadership
ACADEMIC OVERVIEW
School: Local Spanish university
Course Hours: 40 Hours (Summer 1 & 2) or 80 hours (Month)
Spanish Language & Conversation: Students are broken up by levels, and attend Spanish language and conversation classes Monday – Friday in the mornings. The courses focus on developing Spanish communication skills by simulating real life situations through interactive class activities that include writing, oral expression, film, music, food, and literature.
> Spanish levels 1 through AP/IB
> 5-15 Students per Class
> Certified native instructors with advanced teaching degrees
CULTURAL LEADERSHIP ENRICHMENT
SPI offers a unique cultural leadership enrichment component for our European programs. The component is geared toward connecting students with their local surroundings and language while engaging them in real-life skill building exercises. The component incorporates unique activities, excursions and daily group discussions with a focus on team building, leadership, personal growth, travel skills, and cultural awareness.
> SPI Leadership Building Seminars
> European Travel Skills Workshop
> Exchanges with Spanish locals
> Spanish Culinary Experiences
Activities & Travel Excursions
ELECTIVE ACTIVITIES
In addition to SPI’s cultural leadership enrichment program, students will have the exciting opportunity to enhance their experience abroad by participating in optional elective courses and activities! Electives range from sports activities to unique cultural events, and are designed to further engage students in the local culture and, of course, just to have fun! Exact electives will vary per program and are based on student interest and weather. Upon arrival abroad, students will choose which electives they wish to participate in.
Santander Elective Activities:
> Elective Courses: Flamenco Dance, Surfing Course (Beginner to Advanced), Photography Composition Course, Northern Spain Cooking and Gastronomy
> Additional Potential Electives: Gym, Spanish Art & Architecture, Running, Soccer, Volleyball, Tennis, Swimming.
*Optional elective activities may have an additional cost
SANTANDER TRAVEL EXCURSIONS
From visits to world class museums to magnificent hikes through lush mountains, students explore the most important monuments, cities and natural wonders in the Santander region. Weekend and cultural day travel excursions help students dynamically use the language of study and interact with the local community.
Santander Travel Sites
> Madrid
> Toledo (Madrid Extension)
> Segovia & Burgos
> Bilbao
> Comillas/Santillana del Mar
> Picos de Europa Mountains
> Fuente De/Potes
What Alumni Say…
“Santander was an amazing experience. I loved how friendly everyone in the city was and I felt comfortable getting around (even at night.)”
Caleb, Texas
“Our directors pushed us out of our comfort zone constantly. They were a source of constant encouragement and inspiration throughout the program. To say my Spanish improved a lot would be an understatement. I can confidently communicate with a fairly high level of fluency. Thank you SPI!”
Grace, Connecticut
“SPI made me feel extremely comfortable, from start to finish, and I could not have asked for better homestay, new friends, or on-site directors. I absolutely loved everyone that I met on my trip and I wouldn’t trade my amazing experience in Santander for the world!”
John, Utah
Safety & Supervision
ON-SITE DIRECTORS & STAFF
Directors and on-site staff are professional multilingual educators and caring leaders who serve as international “moms and dads”. We maintain a highly personal student to director ratio of typically one director for every eight students. Directors actively participate in all aspects of the immersion experience focusing on student well-being, cultural adjustments, and daily check ins to ensure active student participation.
DAILY SUPERVISION & FREE TIME
To ensure student safety, on-site directors are available 24 hours a day and carry local cell phones at all times. Directors check-in with students on a daily basis in the mornings, afternoons and evenings and monitor all aspects of the program. At SPI, we believe in the educational value of giving students a structured amount of free-time on certain afternoons. Students are expected to abide by SPI’s standards of conduct at all times, and we implement a “buddy system.”
CURFEWS: 11 PM on Weekdays and 12 AM on Weekends
YOUR DAY ABROAD IN SANTANDER
Morning
8:00 – 9:00 Breakfast at Homestay & Travel with Roommate to Classes
Enjoy a light breakfast of breads, cereal, and juice/coffee. After breakfast, you will either walk or take a short bus ride to classes M-F.
9:30 – 1:30 Spanish Language, Culture, and Conversation Courses
Be amazed at how quickly your Spanish improves with SPI’s master instructors at the university in Santander! Classes are both engaging and fun.
Afternoon
2:00 – 4:00 Afternoon Comida and Siesta or Break
After classes, enjoy lunch with your homestay. In Spain, the main mid-day meal is the heaviest, so bring your appetite!
4:30 – 7:00 Electives & Cultural Leadership Enrichment Activities
From surfing to photography and exchanges with locals, there are afternoon activities for everyone! SPI’s program also incorporates a cultural leadership enrichment component where students will interact with the local community. (There is structured free time on some afternoons after activities.)
Evening
7:00 – 8:00 Meeting with Directors and Evening Free-Time
In the early evening, you will have an informal group meeting to review tomorrow’s activities with directors.
8:30 – 10:30 Evening Meal & Conversations With Your Homestay
Enjoy the evening practicing your Spanish while talking with your homestay around the dinner table. You will have some free time after evening meals to meet up with other students for ice cream or an evening stroll.
SANTANDER ITINERARIES
Madrid Experience Add-On
*Add to Summer 1, 2 or Month programs. Dates and pricing information above
Day 1 Depart for Madrid, Spain!
Meet your fellow students and get ready to embark on the study abroad journey of a lifetime!
Day 2 Bienvenidos a España & First Day Immersion Tour of Madrid
Enjoy your first private SPI tour of the breathtaking architecture, culture, and cuisine of Madrid! Visit some of the city’s most acclaimed sites (such as Puerta de Sol, Parque del Retiro, and Palacio Real and Gardens), while immersing yourself into the language and daily Madrileño way of life.
Day 3 Full Day Excursion to Toledo
Discover the undeniable charm of this medieval city which was once the capital of Spain. From the breathtaking Alcázar fortress and the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral to the beautiful City Walls and many other wonders, there’s no doubt that you’ll leave Toledo in total awe of its beauty and history.
Day 4 Art, Architecture, & Shopping Tour of Madrid!
Mix history with the modern world as you experience the ‘hip and chic’ side of Madrid! Marvel at Picasso’s Guernica painting, dar un paseo into some of Madrid’s most stunning neighborhoods and parks, and stop and enjoy a café con leche at an outdoor patio along Madrid’s grand boulevards.
Day 5 Regular Program Students Arrive. Continued Madrid Touring.
Get to know the rest of your group while continuing to explore the wondrous city of Madrid.
Santander 2 Week
*Add Madrid Experience to Summer 1 or 2 Sessions. Dates and pricing information above.
Day 1 Depart for Madrid, Spain!
Meet your fellow students and get ready to embark on the study abroad journey of a lifetime!
Day 2 Arrive to Madrid & First Day Tour
¡Bienvenidos! Historic cultural, art, and architecture tour of breath-taking central Madrid.
Day 3 Visit Segovia & Arrive to Santander
Visit Segovia’s impressive Roman Aqueduct and Alcázar before heading to Santander to meet your homestay.
Day 4 First Day of Spanish Classes & Orientation
Meet your Profesor/a and class after a language placement exam in the morning. Discover your new ‘home’ during an afternoon orientation tour of Santander.
Days 5-8 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Continue improving your Spanish fluency through morning language and conversation courses followed by afternoon leadership and electives activities.
Day 9 Travel Excursion to Picos de Europa Mountains
Discover the amazing natural beauty of Spain’s Picos de Europa in the nearby province of Asturias with a cable car ride to the peak and a hike along its crests.
Day 10 Quality Time with Homestay & Friends
Spanish Sundays are the perfect day to dar un paseo along the waterfront, lounge on the beach, and take in the local culture while taking in a café con leche on an outdoor patio.
Days 11-15 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Be amazed by the progress you’ve made in your language skills and ability to thrive in a new culture!
Day 16 Return to Madrid & Final Dinner
Bid farewell to your beloved Spanish homestays before you depart for Madrid. En route, stop in the city of Burgos to explore its rich history and one of Spain’s glittering jewels of religious architecture, the Catedral de Burgos. Upon arrival in Madrid, marvel at the awe-inspiring art of the Prado museum before a final group dinner.
Day 17 Depart Spain for Home
¡Buen viaje! Return home with amazing memories of España!
Santander 4 Week
*Add Madrid Experience to Month Session. Dates and pricing information above.
Day 1 Depart for Madrid, Spain!
Meet your fellow students and get ready to embark on the study abroad journey of a lifetime!
Day 2 Arrive to Madrid & First Day Tour
¡Bienvenidos! Historic cultural, art, and architecture tour of breath-taking central Madrid.
Day 3 Visit Segovia & Arrive to Santander
Visit Segovia’s impressive Roman Aqueduct and Alcázar before heading to Santander to meet your homestay.
Day 4 First Day of Spanish Classes & Orientation
Meet your Profesor/a and class after a language placement exam in the morning. Discover your new ‘home’ during an afternoon orientation tour of Santander.
Days 5-8 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Continue improving your Spanish fluency through morning language and conversation courses followed by afternoon leadership and electives activities.
Day 9 Travel Excursion to Picos de Europa Mountains
Discover the amazing natural beauty of Spain’s Picos de Europa in the nearby province of Asturias! Enjoy a thrilling cable car ride to the peak and a gorgeous hike along its crests.
Day 10 Quality Time with Homestay & Friends
Spanish Sundays are the perfect day to dar un paseo along the waterfront, lounge on the beach, and take in the local culture while enjoying a café con leche on an outdoor patio.
Days 11-15 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Be amazed by the progress you’ve made in your language skills and ability to thrive in a new culture!
Day 16 Travel Excursion to Comillas and Santillana del Mar
Explore the picturesque pueblitos of Comillas and Santillana del Mar. These quaint towns will deepen your appreciation of northern Spain and its unique culture and history.
Day 17 Quality Time with Homestay & Friends
Relish life as local Spaniards do by eating un helado while basking in the coastal sun or spend the afternoon at the Spanish cine.
Days 18-22 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Spanish fluency is in your grasp and Santander has become your ‘home away from home’!
Day 23 Travel Excursion to Bilbao
Expand your love of northern Spain by traveling to the city of Bilboa in the neighboring Pais Vasco. Visit the famous Guggenheim museum, and discover the slight culinary and cultural differences of this amazing region.
Day 24 Quality Time with Homestay & Friends
Take advantage of your last full Spanish Sunday with your homestay and friends by going out for tapas or exploring a new part of the city.
Days 25-29 Regular Classes, Elective Activities + Leadership
Dreaming in Spanish yet?! Your Spanish fluency has allowed you to discover another world!
Day 30 Return Madrid and Final Dinner
Bid farewell to your beloved Spanish homestays before you depart for Madrid. En route, stop in the city of Burgos to explore its rich history and one of Spain’s glittering jewels of religious architecture, the Catedral de Burgos. Upon arrival in Madrid, marvel at the awe-inspiring art of the Prado museum before a final group dinner.
Day 31 Depart Spain for Home
¡Buen viaje! Return home with amazing memories of España!
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