Spanish Civilization Advanced Spanish Immersion: Civilization, Language, and Culture
Program Overview
Itinerary:
Sevilla, Córdoba, Valencia, Granada
Dates:
July 7 – August 5, 2008
Key Excursions:
Almuñecar, Ronda, Alhambra
Focus:
Advanced Spanish Language and Civilization
Housing:
Travel - Residence
Level:
Grades 9 - 12
Prerequisite:
4 years of Spanish
Availability is becoming limited for many programs.
We encourage serious students to call us to find out if there is availability for their program of interest.
Call us today at 888-462-2239.
Andalucía, Spain’s southernmost autonomous community, with its diverse Christian, Jewish, and Islamic heritage, is the perfect backdrop for students looking for an invaluable educational perspective on the development of world cultures, civilizations, and religions. From Sevilla to Córdoba, followed by Valencia, and ending in Granada, our four-week Spanish Civilization Program also helps students improve their Spanish language skills through daily usage, experiential learning and advanced language classes.
This pre-college program introduces architecture, language and history through cultural immersion with the aim of inspiring students to continue exploring these subjects in their future studies. Abbey Roaders will also have time to enjoy the Andaluz lifestyle, participate in recreational activities, make new friends, travel, and have an unforgettable experience.
Program Itinerary
Sevilla (10 days)
The first part of the students´ journey will take place in Sevilla, the cultural, artistic and financial capital of Andalucía. Students will be mesmerized by the array of impressive monuments that stand as a legacy of Sevilla´s mixed heritage. They will be captivated by the breathtaking views offered by the Moorish Giralda tower, which makes up part of the Cathedral of Sevilla. One of the largest Gothic cathedrals, it was originally built as a mosque in the 12th century and is still one of the most fascinating sights by day or night. Students will also enjoy peaceful strolls in the Parque Maria Luisa or along the tranquil Guadalquivir River.
Córdoba (1 week)
The group will then spend one week exploring Córdoba, which was believed to have been the largest city in the world while under Muslim rule during the 10th century. Córdoba is now best known for its magnificent Mezquita, a former mosque transformed into a cathedral and later a Christian palace, located in the heart of the Judería, the Jewish quarter. Students will be charmed by the narrow, labyrinthine streets and colorful patios found on every corner.
Valencia (1 week)
The group will then head to the west coast of Spain, where they will spend a week in one of its most artistic beach cities: Valencia. As Spain’s fourth largest city, it has all of the conveniences of modern Europe while maintaining its Spanish lifestyle and beach atmosphere. As the home of Paella and host to many world renowned museums, our students will have a wide variety of recreational as well as educational activities to chose from during their time in Valencia.
Granada (5 days)
The program ends in Granada. Its panoramic views, including the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountain range make this a truly magical city. Students will learn about the history of the Alhambra, an exquisitely constructed ancient Moorish mosque, as well as visit the old town of Guadix, known for its cave dwellings. Students will experience the Islamic legacy left behind by the Moors, Spain’s Arab rulers, made evident by the Mudéjar style architecture and the several Moorish tea houses that color the Albaycín neighborhood.
Academics
This program is designed as an introduction to world civilizations, cultures and religions with a focus on Andalucía and Spain. The group will visit and learn about the important sites and monuments that are key to the fascinating historical heritage of Andalucía and the co-existence of the Jewish, Muslim and Christian religions. Students will gain cultural and ideological awareness and tolerance, which will prove invaluable in their college years.
The advanced Spanish language course will provide students with the opportunity to develop a stronger competency in comprehending and producing the target language. Taught solely in Spanish, the primary focus of the course will be on oral communication and the use of the language in authentic and realistic situations. The Abbey Road Experiential Learning Method (AR-ELM®) is designed to offer students an immersion experience that would be difficult to reproduce in a classroom in their home country.
Housing
The group will experience a different way of living in each of the cities. In Sevilla and Valencia, students live in a centrally located residencia, or college dormitory. Students will stay in private apartments in Córdoba which are equipped with small kitchenettes. They will share bedrooms with 2-3 of their peers and will have the opportunity to cook typical Spanish dishes during their week-long stay. During the last days of the program, students will enjoy the comfort of a hotel in Granada. All of these residences are chosen and visited by Abbey Road staff.
Daily Schedule
Because of a very rigorous itinerary and the summer heat, the daily schedules will be flexible and may be changed as needed. A typical day will either start with Spanish class or an excursion to a historical site, followed by a lecture or a group discussion. After lunch, the students will participate in various recreational and cultural activities. In the evenings, students will also be offered several options: outdoor concerts, cinema, cafés, and other relaxing activities.
In addition to planned activities with the Abbey Road group, students will have free time to pursue personal interests. We strive to maintain a perfect balance between structured activities and free time. While we give our students this privilege, we expect them to adhere to the program rules and safety guidelines, especially the policies on alcohol and curfew, and to uphold our standards of responsibility, maturity, and respect.
Excursions
Additional excursions will complement the academic program by taking students to fascinating sites like the cave town of Guadix. Students will enjoy a more relaxed schedule on the weekends, including a beach day in the resort town of Almuñecar, a sight seeing trip to one of the most important bull-fighting rings in Spain, Ronda, as well as a trip to ancient Sagunto while in Valencia.
Program Fee & What's Included
Our program fee is all-inclusive: it includes airfare from New York to the program site, all travel extensions, trips and excursions, tuition, lodging and insurance, and much more. There are no hidden fees, extra costs or surprises. We encourage you to compare our program fee to other programs and see what they include.
The fee for the Spanish Civilization program can be found here:
Now is the time to apply! There is currently availability on this program. Due to strong interest, however, we encourage serious students to apply soon.
If you would like to receive a brochure by mail, please complete the short online Preliminary Inquiry, and we will send one immediately.
If you are ready to apply now, click on the Online Application to get started.
For general questions about the application process, please visit our Application & Fees page.
If you have any special questions about the program or need assistance with the application process, please call us toll-free at (888) 462-2239 (from abroad (310) 276-1745) or email us at info@goabbeyroad.com.
