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plus airfare to and from Barcelona.
Trip Name
Pre-College Enrichment: Barcelona -
28 Days
Barcelona, Madrid, Figueres, Montserrat, Girona, Sitges
There are many great places in Spain, but if you had to pick just one to spend your summer, our students say – hands down - there is no better city in Spain to spend a summer than Barcelona! It offers the rare combination of sophistication, vibrancy and culture along with unique architecture and the charm of a Mediterranean beach town. College is a time of growth and personal choice; why not get a head start? You’ll leave after four weeks feeling more independent and better prepared for college while making great friends along the way – the perfect summer!
Morning Spanish Language (14 Classes) – 10AM – 1PM
Afternoon Elective Course (11 Classes) – 3PM – 5PM – Choose One
*A supplementary fee of $795 applies for the SAT Preparation elective course.
Forget the idea of a typical dorm; this is a residence that will impress! Your summer home is in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Barcelona with chic cafés, boutiques, parks and theaters only steps away. Each two person suite features air conditioning, private bathroom, internet connection, a safe for your valuables, and work desks along with individual beds for a great night’s rest. The residence provides 24-hour security, and features include a garden & sun deck, a state-of-the-art gym with indoor soccer, volleyball and basketball courts, a game room with ping-pong, foosball and pool tables, a snack café and dining hall, a theater, a laundry room and a library, study and computer rooms. Click here to review this incredible residence.
You will receive a complimentary membership to this incredible, modern facility around the corner from the residence. Enjoy yoga, spinning, Pilates, tai-chi, aerobics, or any of the 250 classes offered. Cardio, free weights, Hammer Strength equipment - the gym has it all. The solarium indoor pool and outdoor resort pool with lounge chairs and shady palm trees are great places to relax after class. Click here to review this incredible facility.
Local day trips and exciting weekend visits to Madrid and the Mediterranean Beach Resort of Sitges allow you to experience even more of Spain.
Visit Barcelona’s Vila Olímpica, the home of the 1992 Olympics, or stroll down the one mile pedestrian thoroughfare of Las Ramblas. Explore the unique shops that line the winding cobblestone streets of the Gothic Quarter. Discover the city by bicycle and chill on famed Barceloneta Beach. Be inspired by Gaudi and his still-unfinished signature to the Barcelona skyline, the Sagrada Familia cathedral and his other works including the bizarre apartments of La Pedrera and the surreal yet modern Park Güell. Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Picasso Museum, and enjoy the spectacle of light, water and music at the fountains of Montjuic. Satisfy your taste buds with evening meals of both local and international cuisine.
Between the beaches, culture, shopping and overall great vibe, Barcelona is considered the most livable city in Spain, and it doesn’t hurt that it boasts perfect weather in the summer! You’ll feel proud to call Barcelona home for a month. And we bet you’ll never want to leave!
A center of learning for over 38 years, the International House (IH) Spanish Language School is centrally located, just steps from Plaza Cataluña and Las Ramblas. IH is one of Spain’s leading teacher training centers, which makes them highly effective when it comes to helping students maximize learning.
The main objective of your Spanish course this summer is to improve your communication skills. The emphasis of classroom activities is therefore on the development of your abilities to speak and understand spoken Spanish. You are given plenty of opportunity to practice the skills you will need to communicate outside the classroom. Attention is given to grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing with the ultimate goal of enhancing your verbal skills. We don't just want you to know Spanish, we want you to be able to use it.
On the first day of class, if you’ve had any prior Spanish, you’ll receive both an oral and written evaluation so that you may be placed in the most appropriate classroom. Class sizes range from 7-12 students, and at the end of your course, you’ll receive a certificate for the 42 hours and noting which level you completed.
The Spanish Language classes can be taken for 3 college credits on the 28 Day program. Credit is through the University of Southern Mississippi and is transferable to many colleges and universities. This decision to accept credits is ultimately made by the school you attend. There is a $395 fee for the credit option. Official final grade and course credit will be provided to each student. Our teachers and staff are always happy to write letters of recommendation letters for college admission.
The afternoon is yours to choose between a variety of different enrichment courses or other offerings.
Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Joan Miro are just three of the giants of 20th century art who were both inspired by Barcelona and left a lasting impression on the city. This course will provide you with the opportunity to study the life and work of Spain’s most famous modern artists and to visit some of the many museums and works of art that are housed in or around the city of Barcelona.
Spain’s culture is incredibly rich and varied. This course will explore several different aspects of Spanish culture including:
Barcelona has inspired countless writers over the years, from Miguel de Cervantes in the 16th century to Carlos Ruiz Zafón and Woody Allen in modern society. Following a brief introduction to the history of Spanish literature, you will be invited to create your own work in a number of different styles – poems, short stories, drama, and personal reflections. As you get to know this wonderful city, it is certain to inspire you as well!
How does doing business in Spain compare to doing business elsewhere? How has European Union membership changed the Spanish economy? What are the recent success stories and failures of Spanish trade and industry? How is the Spanish economy likely to evolve over the next decades? What are the main problems facing Spanish business today? All of these questions and more will be addressed during this course that is designed to give you an understanding of Spain’s role in the global marketplace. You will also be invited to meet and interview local business leaders as well as representatives from local trade unions.
Your Princeton Review instructor will help you master the test through in-class practice, drills, and test reviews. You will better understand math, critical reading and writing concepts tested on the exams and your instructor will teach proven test taking techniques. All lessons are focused on beating the SAT.
In addition to your course, you'll be getting the following materials and extras:
*A supplementary fee of $795 applies for the SAT Preparation elective course.
Capture the city of Barcelona from behind the lens. Learn to frame, light and compose photos in the inspiring surrounding of art, architecture and Spanish culture. Create a portfolio under the direction of internationally recognized photographer Katherin Wermke. Katherin and her staff teach the course amongst the backdrop of Barcelona and from her impressive professional studio. Click here to learn more about the studio.
You must supply your own digital camera for this elective course.
If you eat right and exercise, you’ll feel great. Your fitness instructor will help you plan a work-out regimen including weight training and aerobics and coach you on proper technique to help you meet your fitness goals. If you commit the results will follow!
This is your chance to give back to the communities in and around Barcelona. Work with children, young people and families by developing educational and recreational programs after school and/or during the summer. You can make a real difference in the lives of these individuals by facilitating activities, games, continuing education and/or English classes. A certificate of completion recognizing 22 hours of service and a signed letter detailing the projects accomplished will be issued after the trip.
Your group’s weekend excursion to Spain’s exciting capital of Madrid is one that you’ll never forget. Check into the beautiful Hotel Opera in the center of all the action, just steps from the Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace and Gran Via. Explore Puerta del Sol, the Prado Museum, El Retiro Park, and an opera dinner show.
End your summer in style at the Sitges Beach Resort known for its incredible pool and luxurious beach. You will quickly appreciate why this town is such a big hit with our groups.
Take a funicular ride to the top of this beautiful mountain retreat for breathtaking views of the Pyrenees and coastal islands. Visit the famous monastery and enjoy a beautiful hike and relaxing picnic.
Be intrigued by the unique and quirky works of Salvador Dali; this is not just a museum, it’s an experience. The building itself is a work of art.
Explore the labyrinth of cobblestone streets in the old quarter of this medieval city.
Stroll through the internationally themed regions of Spain’s biggest theme park, with six thrilling roller coasters and 24 other exciting rides including Furious Baco and Sea Odyssey.
Barcelona is situated on the Mediterranean Sea with various mountains behind it and is in the region of Catalonia on the Northeast corner of the Spanish peninsula, near France. Catalonians have their own identity and a very rich, ancient culture that dates back to the tenth century. Barcelona has a population of just over 1.6 million people
Barcelona is dominated by two hills within the city itself, Montjuic and Tibidabo. Montjuic is the busiest of the hills overlooking Barcelona. Close to the city center, the name means ‘Jewish mountain’, this hill is famous for housing a majority of the 1992 Olympic events but also houses many art galleries, the Palau Nacional and many fountains and has a spectacular view of the city. Tibidabo is a bit farther away and much higher – it is dominated by a radio tower as well as a church attempting to resemble and rival Sacre Coeur in Paris.
Las Ramblas is the very exciting main street that runs from the statue of Christopher Columbus near the waterfront, through the older town to the beginning of the modern part of the cityand the Plaza de Cataluña. On both sides of the street are the older sections of Barcelona where a lot of the history & culture exist. The main attraction is the Gothic area of Barcelona – Barri Gotic. It is the centre of the old city of Barcelona and retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. You will enjoy exploring both Barri Gotic and Las Ramblas.
Gaudi is the most famous Spanish architect, born in 1852, whose main work initially began when he was commissioned by the Guell family. There are many buildings that he designed throughout Barcelona, namely Casa Batlló and Casa Milà. Park Guell, where some of Gaudi’s masterpieces are displayed, was originally built to be the city yards for around 60 families. It was never finished and the city took control of it in 1923. Sagrada Familia is Gaudi’s most famous work and he devoted his full time to it starting in 1883 up until his sudden death in 1926. Some estimates put the final date of completion at over 75 years from now!
Barcelonetta is the old sailor’s quarter and where the Port Olimpic is. The harbor was built for the 1992 Olympics. According to Travel Channel, Barcelonetta beach is "the best urban beach in the world" and overall "third best beach in the world".
Madrid is the capital of Spain, one of the fashion capitals of the world and the place where some of the best soccer players practice their art. Madrid is a cosmopolitan city of over 3 million people. The main street that cuts the center of the city is called the Gran Via. This modern busy street is filled with high-rise buildings, hotels, shops and restaurants. If Spain is truly considered nocturnal then Madrid must be considered the city that comes closest to this!
The Prado Museum is one of the largest museums in Europe. This former natural history museum now hosts over 7000 works of art, the most famous of which belong to the 17th and 18th century Spanish masters Velázquez, Goya and da Ribera. The Royal Palace - Palacio Real, was originally built for the Bourbons. This is a very impressive palace, the grounds and rooms are spacious and beautiful. This place has a whopping 870 windows, 240 balconies, 44 sets of stairs and 110 doors over an area that covers 135,000 meters!
Sitges is a bohemian artsy beach town, and favorite getaway of the local young Barcelonans. With a population of about 25,640 people, it is a small city about 40 kilometers south west of Barcelona. Between the hills and the sea, it is known for its much-frequented beaches, nightspots, and historical sites. While the roots of Sitges' artsy reputation date back to the late 19th century, when Catalan painter Santiago Rusiňol took up residence there, the town really came into its own during the 1960s, when it was the only center for the counterculture on the mainland of Spain. Since Spain was still under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco, Sitges became known as a sort of "Ibiza in miniature".
There are 15 golden fine sand beaches along more than 2.5 miles of coast in the city centre and another 7 beaches in the rest of the district. The European Union honors the Sitges' beaches every year with several blue flags, crediting the good-quality and environmental health of the waters enjoyed by bathers.
Montserrat literally means jagged mountain" in Catalan. It describes its peculiar aspect with multitude of rock formations which are visible from a great distance. The mountain is composed of strikingly pink conglomerate, a form of sedimentary rock. The Benedictine Monk retreat at Montserrat offers you some of the most spectacular mountain views of Catalunya. Not only is the Montserrat Monastery of significant religious importance but the natural beauty surrounding the monastery is simply breathtaking.
Figueres is surrealist Salvador Dalí’s hometown and houses the Teatre-Museu Gala Salvador Dalí, a large museum designed by the man himself. Dali had many friends including the famous Pablo Picasso. Dali and Picasso were friends on and off for most of their lives. They first met in 1925 when Picasso, already famous at the time, came to see Dali's first solo exhibition in Barcelona and liked what he saw. Dali was also strongly influenced by the writing of Sigmund Freud, and the unconscious mind is evident is much of his work. He died in 1989 while living in the tower of his own museum in Figueres. This is not just a museum, it’s an experience and the building itself is a work of art!
The origins of the city of Girona go back to the time of the Romans. The Goths settled here in about the 6th Century. The 12th century saw a flourishing of the Jewish community of Girona, with one of the most important Kabbalistic schools in Europe. The Rabbi of Girona was appointed Great Rabbi of Catalonia and today, the Jewish ghetto is one of the best preserved in Europe. This city is an alluring labyrinth of narrow cobblestone streets, walled with medieval history, and mirrors the roman city.
This is beyond your typical dorm, it is a residence that will impress! Your summer home is in one of the most exclusive areas of Barcelona with chic cafes, boutiques, parks and theaters only steps away. Each two person suite features air conditioning, a private bathroom, a safe for your valuables, internet connection and work desks along with individual beds for a great night’s rest.
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Located in the heart of Madrid the Hotel Opera is located among the historical buildings of the Royal Palace, the Opera Theatre, Puerta del Sol and the picturesque Rastro.
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The Meliá Sitges is located right in the heart of the marina district and has wonderful views of the seaside resort town of Sitges and the beautiful Mediterranean beach.
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At Westcoast Connection / 360° Student Travel nothing else comes first. From our extensive program planning department through our management team and our front line leaders, it is our single biggest priority! Safety procedures, equipment – we’ve got it covered. All program leaders and Directors are certified in First Aid and CPR. We are extremely proud of our safety record and welcome all questions you may have in this area. Please see more under Safety First.
Once you are on your program, you will have sensitive leaders that are caring, approachable and always there for you. Your Program Director and Program Leaders are people with incredible backgrounds including teachers, guitar players, IRONMAN triathletes, SCUBA divers, volunteers, and so much more.
Every staff member takes part in and must complete our extensive training weekends that review our philosophy and procedures to provide a well-supervised and fun-filled program.
Our Program Directors, the individuals responsible for overseeing each itinerary, take on the roles of teachers, coaches, camp counselors, mentors, concierges, and hosts. They’ve been trained to provide individual attention and create an all-inclusive family atmosphere (our EACH & EVERY philosophy). There’s a definite art to building dynamic groups, and we’ve worked hard to master it! We want you smiling on day one right through to a teary goodbye at your farewell banquet.
Our leaders are non-smokers. To learn more about our staff, please visit our Summer Leaders section.
We can’t say it too many times, this is a really incredible group experience. Great dynamics on every trip starts with our secrets for group bonding. Our bag of tricks goes way beyond traditional ice breakers. We work hard to get everyone moving beyond first impressions and creating an atmosphere of total acceptance. Our staff hiring and training emphasizes social safety and establishing an inclusive culture. Many of our participants come as individuals and we have a geographically diverse enrollment. This mix helps eliminate cliques at the outset and establish an open environment that benefits you. We take great care in assembling groups to create an unforgettable social experience.
The International House is centrally located, just steps from Plaza Cataluña and Las Ramblas. It enjoys an excellent reputation as one of Spain’s leading teacher training centers, and each year organizes the largest conference of Spanish teachers in Europe. Language teachers have been specifically trained to teach Spanish as a foreign language, which makes them highly effective when it comes to helping students maximize learning.
In the afternoons, choose between SAT Preparation with Princeton Review, 20th Century Spanish Art, Spanish Culture, Creative Writing, International Business, Fitness Training, Digital Photography or Community Service.
7:30 AM - Wake up
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM - Breakfast
10:00 AM - 1:00 PM - Spanish Language
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM - Lunch
3:00 PM - 5:00 PM - Elective Course
5:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Students Choice (Sports, Pool & Health Club, City Exploring)
8:15 PM - 9:30 PM - Dinner
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM - Evening Activities (Group or Several Options)
12:30 AM - Curfew
Talk about an incredible summer. This program is the perfect balance of study, cultural immersion, Spanish language and touring highlights. You will have the unique opportunity to study at an internationally renowned school while living in the heart of Barcelona. While staying in a college residence, eating in the dining hall, working out at the gym, going to class, and utilizing public transportation, you will get a true taste of the college experience.
As you travel to new places and experience different cultures, your journey may challenge your ideas and preconceived notions. We recognize this and strive to provide an environment where you are free to question and learn. This is nurtured by our leaders’ open and non-judgmental guidance.
Our experience lends itself to trying new things and stepping outside of one’s comfort zone. While living, working and learning together, you are afforded the chance to interact with very different communities. Everybody grows in their social acceptance of others. Your perception will change as your understanding of and empathy for others grows. Whereas prior to your travels, you may have held stereotypes for some communities, your new first-hand experience will enable you to see we often share more in common with others than we may have known.
There really is a difference in how different summer programs operate! Motivated students going away with qualified leaders is a given. But what sets us apart is the depth of our qualified personnel that allow us to perform with the greatest consistency at the highest level.
Your Program Director and Program Leaders are with you throughout your program. They have daily contact with one of our two 24-hour Communication Centers and are in regular contact with our Company Directors. Our Company Directors are the most seasoned veterans who each oversee specific programs providing support to trip staff and to assist with any situations that may arise. Our Company Directors alternate between traveling to visit programs and being reached in the office. Program visits enable us to provide ongoing support and development to our Program Directors, allows trip staff to have a sounding board for their own progress in reaching trip goals, helps us to identify any challenging areas for improvement while it still has relevance to your summer rather than as a mention on your end-of-summer survey, and helps us to identify the future Directors from the current crop of all-star summer staff. These visits are by Company Directors along with our Regional Supervisors, who are former Program Directors with further experience out in the field. Collectively this supervisory and management team has an incredible resource with 260+ summers of combined teen travel experience. This way we can lend a hand wherever and whenever a little extra effort is called for. Last year we had over 120 scheduled supervisory program visits to make sure all was running well, provide ongoing support to our staff in the field, and have fun! This investment in depth of personnel is unrivaled in teen travel and is a critical element to achieving consistent, excellent program quality and surpassing client expectations!
Included in the trip tuition are all activities and entertainment described, breakfast & dinner daily, lunches as indicated on your specific program, gratuities, taxes, land transportation, accommodations, and fanatical customer service from our full-time team and summer Communication Centers. This can add up to tremendous value!
Forget the idea of a typical dorm; this is a residence that will impress! Each two person suite features air conditioning, private bathroom, internet connection, a safe for your valuables, and work desks along with individual beds for a great night’s rest. The residence provides 24-hour security, and features include a garden & sun deck, a state-of-the-art gym with indoor soccer, volleyball and basketball courts, a game room with ping-pong, foosball and pool tables, a snack café and dining hall, a theater, a laundry room and a library, study and computer rooms.
Your summer home is in one of the most exclusive neighborhoods of Barcelona with chic cafés, boutiques, parks and theaters only steps away. From here it is a 25 minute metro ride to International House, your school that is just steps from Plaza Cataluña and Las Ramblas. Students ride in groups with staff from the residence to the school.
On your weekend excursions, you will enjoy the finest centrally located properties. Participants have their own bed to ensure a proper night’s rest. For more detailed information on the specific program that interests you, please visit the section marked Where We Stay.
You will receive a complimentary membership to this incredible, modern facility around the corner from the residence. Enjoy yoga, spinning, Pilates, tai-chi, aerobics, or any of the 250 classes offered. Cardio, free weights, Hammer Strength equipment – the gym has it all. The solarium indoor pool and outdoor resort pool with lounge chairs and shady palm trees are great places to relax after class. Click here to review this incredible facility.
A big part of your Pre-College Enrichment program’s success depends on how well you eat. We are proud of the fact that year after year we are complimented for our quality, quantity and choice of food! Breakfasts in Spain are eaten at the dining hall or hotels and are buffets with a variety of hot and cold choices. For dinners, on most school nights, you will dine at the residence hall. On other nights, either the whole group goes to the same restaurant or we divide into smaller groups with staff to sample quainter places with a variety of different cuisines. For lunch, you enjoy the choice of eating in smaller groups and choosing from local cafes and small restaurants. Food options are varied and plentiful; taste seafood from the coast, paella, incredible fresh fruits and plenty of fresh vegetables and meats. But don’t worry, they also have North American style options on the menu.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, anaphylactic food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive personal experience in this area. International travel may present more challenges than domestic locations and we are happy to review your personal needs and help you select an appropriate itinerary.
Students use public transportation in small groups, with our leaders, for the short ride from their residence to classes in the morning. On some afternoons, you may use public transit with other students while in communication with our staff. In the evenings, staff is with students on any public transportation. We want to make sure we're giving you guidance and support at all times.
On day and weekend excursions you’ll ride in a charted deluxe, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
You only need to bring one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in our packing list as we have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience. You can drop off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go or you will have the opportunity to do laundry in your residence hall.
While you’re out having the summer of your life, your parents should feel like they are in on the action as well. We post updates to our blog and Facebook page and e-mail photos throughout the summer so those at home can be in on the fun. Parents also have access to our dedicated office Trip Monitors 24/7 for any questions and/or concerns. We’re as in touch as any program operator could possibly be via smartphones with e-mail and text. The goal is uncompromising safety and peace of mind, day after day, hour by hour, minute by minute. Participants may bring their personal cell phones.
Planning teen travel is of course a science. But it is also an art. As you review our different itineraries, know that we have worked year after year to make every minute of every day just right. In last summer’s surveys, 98.5% of responding teens and parents said they would recommend us to others. We must be doing something right!
All lodging, breakfast and dinner daily, all recreation, entertainment (including day and weekend excursions), classes, lab fees, books, airport transfers, gratuities and taxes.
Residence (21 Nights) & Hotels (5 Nights)
A certificate of completion recognizing the hours of class time completed and course level completed will be issued after the trip. Our staff is always happy to write letters of recommendation for college admission.
Participants have the choice to earn 3 college credits. Credit is through the University of Southern Mississippi and is transferable to many colleges and universities. This decision to accept credits is ultimately made by the school you attend. There is a $395 fee for the credit option.
If you prefer to come for the first three weeks of this itinerary, please check out our Pre-College Enrichment: Barcelona -21 Day option.
© 2013 Westcoast Connection Travel Camp Inc.