LOCATION
San Sebastián, gloriously situated on a shell-shaped bay on the northern coast near the French border, is renowned for its splendid beaches, Belle Epoque architecture, lively nightlife, international jazz festival and mesmerizing mood.

PROGRAM FOCUS
Designed to be instructive, challenging and fun, the emphasis is on learning how to speak and understand Spanish while receiving a broad exposure to Spanish culture.

PROGRAM CONTENT
Pre-departure advising, an enriching homestay, a solid academic curriculum, culturally sensitive support services, and a parallel program of cultural and recreational travel combine to form a comprehensive three-, four- or five-week educational experience.     

ACADEMIC PROGRAM
We provide three weeks/60 hours or two weeks/40 hours of classroom-based language instruction, ten students per class, with emphasis on conversational Spanish and vocabulary building. A tertulia is held weekly to explore aspects of Spanish culture and history.

HOMESTAY
Remembered by most as one of the most rewarding aspects of the program, the three- or two-week homestay gives you the opportunity to practice your Spanish and experience the culture firsthand with one of our carefully selected host families. We prefer to place one student per family, thereby maximizing the amount of Spanish you can learn during your stay. However, if you wish to have a roommate, we can arrange for that too.

TRAVEL EXTENSION
Included in our four-week program are three nights and two days of sightseeing in Barcelona and four nights and three days of sightseeing in Madrid. For the three- and two-week sessions sightseeing in Madrid at the conclusion of the program is optional.
     

KEY EXCURSIONS
Day trips to historical sites and cultural attractions, including: Pamplona – the running of the bulls • Bilbao – the Guggenheim Museum • France – the beaches of St. Jean-de-Luz.

ACTIVITIES
Sailing, cycling, kayaking, hiking, and walking tours.

SPORTS
Surfing, beach volleyball, swimming, soccer, and tennis.

PROGRAM DATES 2011
Session 1:         June 29* to July 27.   Four weeks.     *Date of U.S. departure.
Session 2:         July     1* to July 24.   Three weeks.   *Date of U.S. departure.
Session 3:         July     1* to July 17.   Two weeks.      *Date of U.S. departure.
Session 4:         July     9* to July 24.   Two weeks.      *Date of U.S. departure.

Group Size:        20 participants.
Homestay:         1 student per family or a roommate, if preferred.
Supervision:      1 BRIDGES Advisor for every 10 students.

PROGRAM FEES 2011
Session 1:         $7,000 + airfare.   Four weeks.
Session 2:         $6,000 + airfare.   Three weeks.
Session 3:         $4,400 + airfare.   Two weeks.
Session 4:         $4,200 + airfare.   Two weeks.

Session 1 includes sightseeing in Barcelona and Madrid. For Sessions 2 and 4 an optional four-night, three-day day travel extension in Madrid is offered at $600.

ELIGIBILITY
Students completing grades 9 through 12 and two years of successful work in Spanish while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher are eligible.      

APPLICATION
We have a rolling admissions process. Early application is advisable to insure acceptance into the program of your choice. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received. To request an application, please contact BRIDGES at 888 414-8856.

BRIDGES APPROACH
Established in 1994, we specialize in distinctive study abroad experiences for small groups of inquisitive, discerning students. As a family-run organization, we develop personal relationships with our students and offer a level of attentiveness to individual needs unmatched by larger businesses.