High School Summer Abroad in Spain - Live the Language & Culture!

  Spain

• Granada: 
Granada
• Salamanca: 
Salamanca
• All Other Areas: 
San Sebastian

Term: Summer 
Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Various sessions throughout the summer

Description: Spain provides a unique variety of language and cultural experiences. Fun and festivals, a wide variety of scenery, relaxed and warm people, historic sites, and a multitude of architectural and artistic treasures make Spain a perfect destination for Spanish language learners. Take classes at a leading language school as you fully immerse yourself in Spanish culture and society. Travel to vibrant cities and soak up the exciting European atmosphere. Join us for a life-changing adventure in a country that will captivate your heart!!

During our Spain programs you will:
* Participate in an enriching homestay, dorm, and/or immersion experience in an exciting, youthful city in Spain as you absorb the culture and practice the language.
* Study at prestigious schools dedicated exclusively to teaching Spanish in Spain with the opportunity to earn three units of college credit during most sessions.
* Interact with local university students during Language Partner sessions.
* Choose from a variety of afternoon and evening activities such as swimming, soccer, tennis, volleyball, basketball, salsa or flamenco dance lessons, tapas tasting, cooking, and horseback riding.
* Enjoy the food, ambience, and unique people-watching opportunities of the Spanish cafe scene.
* Experience the exuberance, originality, and passion of a Spanish flamenco show.
* Meet other students from around the country.
* Be Encouraged by your chaperones to exceed your language goals.
* Immerse yourself in the language, culture, and daily life of Spanish culture.
* Travel up to one week to some of the most amazing destinations in Spain!

ECI Chaperones:
ECI carefully selects chaperones on the basis of language ability, maturity, patience, judgment, professionalism, and their ability to earn the respect and trust of our teenage participants. Most chaperones are high-school language teachers with extensive travel abroad experience; some are full-time ECI staff with educational backgrounds, and all are enthusiastic leaders, fully trained by ECI, and highly dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding on the global level.

ECI, a non-profit educational organization based in Northern California, is dedicated to making our summer programs the best of their kind available to US high school students. Our coordinators and leaders are experienced, qualified educational professionals who provide guidance and support throughout the trip.

Our Language Schools:

--Academia Mester (Salamanca and Granada):

Academia Mester, established in 1991, is today a prestigious organization that specializes in teaching Spanish to foreigners. All language teachers have degrees in modern languages and have had wide-ranging and solid professional experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language.

The centrally located schools in Salamanca and Granada are comprised of buildings designed and equipped for teaching, with spacious modern classrooms, reference libraries, computer rooms with Internet access, assembly halls and common rooms for study and meetings, all of which are air conditioned.

Students are grouped into one of eight levels, based on a placement test that is taken before leaving the US. There are four fifty-minute classes each morning, Monday through Friday, and the maximum number of students per class is ten. In the first two classes (grammar), students study different grammatical structures and their practical applications. In the second two classes (conversation), vocabulary and colloquial expressions are analyzed.

--Escuela De Idiomas (Nerja):

The ECI commitment to high standards also extends to our choice of language schools. We always take great care in choosing schools that meet all the ECI quality requirements. Escuela de Idiomas "Nerja," personally selected by our ECI directors, was established in 1980. Today it is a highly reputable organization that specializes in teaching Spanish to foreigners. All language teachers have had solid professional experience teaching Spanish as a foreign language. The school has a range of educational resources, including a bookstore, library, multimedia room, and Internet terminals (small fee). There is also an on-site cafe with a lounge and beautiful Andalusian patio. This, together with the library, is located at the school's cultural activity and communications center just a two-minute walk from the main part of the school.

--Lacunza ih San Sebastian, established in 1986, is a prestigious language school that specializes in teaching Spanish to foreigners. All language teachers are native Spanish speakers, with university degrees in the teaching of Spanish. International House (ih) is a worldwide organization with one hundred and thirty language schools in thirty countries, with each affiliated schools operating independently. International House particularly excels in the field of Teacher Training. The school has a range of educational resources including a library, computers with free Internet access, free WIFI connection and a range of DVDs that are available for students. The school has a fantastic location in the center of the city, only a fifteen-minute walk from the beach.

Whenever possible, we also incorporate Language Partners into our programs. These young people are usually university students who work to enrich the total experience by providing our group with lots of opportunities for integration into the community and practice in conversational Spanish. Together with small groups of our students, they explore the town, participate in a variety of activities, and discuss an assortment of topics in Spanish, such as entertainment, school, politics, travel, vacations, sports, and much more.

Our chaperones supervise a variety of afternoon and evening activities. Although some of these activities are optional and therefore not included in the cost of ECI's program, most are free or nominally priced. They include sports activities such as swimming, soccer, tennis, volleyball, ping-pong, basketball, and pool. Every week two documentaries are shown, as well as a variety of Spanish films (original version or dubbed). There are other options, such as salsa/sevillana/flamenco dance lessons, cooking, horseback riding in the Castilian countryside (Salamanca programs), special dinners, etc. Local visits to important city monuments and interesting sites are done on an on-going basis.

Highlights: Madrid - You will visit a selection of the main gems of this great capital city, such as the Gran Via, Plaza Espana, Plaza Mayor, Puerta del Sol (a square marking the geographical center of Spain), the Royal Palace, the world renowned Prado and the Reina Sophia art museum.

Toledo - This ancient Spanish capital is one of the oldest towns in all of Spain. The city is home to much history, a great deal of it immortalized on canvas by El Greco. A huge cathedral dominates Toledo's skyline, and is where we get our expression "Holy Toledo"!

Segovia - The medieval town of Segovia is where Isabella was declared Queen of Castile in 1474. A highlight here is the Alcazar palace, her former home, which many describe as looking almost like a fairy tale castle. Christopher Columbus made out his will in the fortress, which is complete with a throne and many ornate rooms for the nobles that once inhabited it. Also fascinating are the 16th century cathedral build by Carlos V and Segovia's still-functioning Roman Aqueduct, dating from the first century.

Cordoba - Although primarily known for its mosque, the Mezquita, it is also enchanting to wander the narrow streets of the old Arab and Jewish quarters, taking in the ambience of the whitewashed houses and balconies overflowing with flowers.

Seville - Seville, the beautiful capital of Andalusi­a, is one of Spain's most charming and romantic cities. With its flower-filled patios, blue skies and winding medieval streets, Seville's unique culture contains a fascinating blend of folklore and tradition.

The Costa del Sol - You'll spend at least two days of your trip relaxing in the beautiful coastal town of Nerja enjoying the cool, blue water of the Mediterranean and appreciating the warm sun and sand.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: 4,375 - 6,850 USD. Chaperone airfare also available.

Experience Required: yes

Two years of Spanish

This Program is open to American, Canadian and European Participants.

Participants Travel to Spain Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups of 30

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Edu-Culture International (ECI)'s Mission Statement: To broaden the academic horizons of students and to create well-rounded, culturally aware student leaders. Goals: ECI provides young people with opportunities to embrace new cultures, to improve foreign language ability, and to develop interpersonal skills. We strive to make each program a high-quality, unique, and enjoyable experience. It is also hoped that the programs will engender in students an interest in the pursuit of education, especially in the humanities and acquisition of foreign languages; motivate learning and independent thinking; promote world friendships and cultural understanding; educate students about the culture, language, people, and ideas of other nations and ethnic backgrounds; help students to realize their potentials and become aware of their roles in our global community.

Year Founded: 1998