SPI High School Spanish Immersion & Cultural Leadership in Spain

Name: SPI High School Spanish Immersion & Cultural Leadership in Spain
Brand: SPI Study Abroad
SKU: 37682
Rating: 4.97 (29 reviews)

Read 29 reviews

4.97 Rating

Leave a Review

Location

Spain
- Toledo
- Seville
- Santander
- San Sebastián
- Malaga
- Madrid
- Granada
- Cadiz
- Bilbao
- Barcelona

Length

1 - 12 weeks

Program Categories

Adventure Travel Cultural Immersion Internships Language Immersion Service Learning Study Abroad Volunteer Abroad

View Other Details

Program Details

Timeframe

Academic Year Spring Summer

Housing

Apartment Host Family Hotel

Language

Spanish

Pricing

Starting Price

2000

Price Details

Please see website for exact tuition and dates.
Madrid Experience Add-On Program available!

Last Updated: Apr 14, 2020

Last Reviewed: Oct 02, 2019

Wish List

69 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

SPI Study Abroad's two Spanish immersion programs in Santander and San Sebastian gives high school students the opportunity to live with caring homestay families, attend Spanish language and culture class for college credit, participate in a variety of fun activities, and travel to some of the country’s most amazing sites!

About San Sebastian
San Sebastian, or Donostia, is an enchanting coastal city located in the lush rolling hills of northern Spain's Guipuzkoa province. Over the years, the city’s pristine beaches, scenic landscapes, world-famous cuisine and annual events have made it an increasingly popular destination for both family vacation and study abroad.

About Santander
As SPI's longest running immersion program since 1996, Santander has maintained its popularity as an ideal location for high school students seeking an authentic study abroad experience. Located along Spain's breathtaking northern coastline with the Picos de Europa mountain range as its backdrop.

This program is no longer offered. View more programs from SPI Study Abroad.

Video and Photos

View All Photos

Related Programs

Program Reviews

4.97 Rating

based on 29 reviews

Leave a Review

Rating Spread High School

5 rating 96.55%
4 rating 3.45%
3 rating 0%
2 rating 0%
1 rating 0%

Growth 4.75
Support 5
Fun 4.9
Housing 4.95
Safety 5

Showing 25 - 29 of 29 reviews

SPI Santander provided me with the best summer experience I've ever had. The group of students I went with was fantastic. Valerie Villa is the best coordinator I have ever traveled with, and really enhanced the experience with her knowledge. The itinerary was wonderful and the host family experience was comfortable, loving, and improved my language skills. Having Universidad de Cantabria on my résumé makes me stand out. Whenever I see pictures from my trip to Spain I remember nothing but the most fun three weeks of my life. Maybe a slight exaggeration, but every moment spent in Spain was extremely rewarding.

What would you improve about this program?

Interaction with Spanish kids our own age would be very valuable.

The program was great, loved the group outings to other cities nearby and exploring San Sebastián itself. I spent our days off basking in the sun on the towns beaches with other girls from the group and had lots of fun meeting new people. The town hosted something every weekend, whether it was a fiesta for the local teenagers that we got invited to or a jazz festival with cool music there was always someplace to be. Our host mom was fabulous and usually prepared us delicious food. If not, there were tons of restaurants around or fruit carts to get more food.

What would you improve about this program?

I went for a month, but I wish I could have stayed for longer. Definantly felt like the kids who stayed for only two weeks missed out on a lot of great opportunities.

I had an awesome time with SPI! The counselor responsible for us was always reachable, friendly and enthusiastic! Her and I still keep in contact!
The friends I made on this trip will stay with me forever. The program is very good at balancing our free time with planned activities that forced us to see all of the excellent sites Santander and the surrounding areas have to offer.

To this day, my study abroad trip with SPI was the best trip of my life. I felt challenged and enjoyed all the adventures SPI had to offer. Over a year later and I have still kept in touch with my host family and the friends I made that summer. As a student, I learned quite a bit and have since excelled in Spanish classes. In addition, my trip abroad helped me grow as an individual and gave me a taste of what it is like to travel and experience the world on my own. I would recommend this experience to anyone and everyone; it is a life changer.

What would you improve about this program?

I was really happy in every aspect of the program.. I cannot think of anything I would change.

Read my full story

I had the most phenomenal experience traveling abroad with SPI. I can't give enough praises to this group for providing me with the wonderful experience. From my tremendous home stay mother to the riveting beaches to the exciting social scene, I was always doing something exciting and new. I would recommend this to anyone who has completed any level of Spanish, as I made friends on who had just completed Spanish 1 and some who completed Spanish 5. Overall, a life-altering experience!

What would you improve about this program?

I wish I could have stayed longer! I honestly can't think of a negative experience from my time in San Sebastián.

Questions & Answers

How many hours of Spanish classes would be for 1 week?

Each SPI program has an interactive language course component taught by certified native speakers that hold advanced degrees in teaching foreign students. Students are broken up by skill level (beginner through AP/IB) and classes are held 3-4 hours per day. The language courses focus on developing communication skills by simulating real-life situations through interactive class activities that...

By SPI Study Abroad on March 15, 2018

What if you already know Spanish?

Even if you know Spanish, there is so much more to gain from studying abroad. For example, you can experience a new culture, make lifelong friends and connections, and experience new things. Moreover, even if you are fluent, you will definitely learn new words and phrases that are specific to a different country, which can really improve your vocabulary. I would definitely recommend still going...

By Becca Smith on August 8, 2016

See all 3 answers

Santander or San Sebastian?

So I only studied in San Sebastián which means I can only speak to that, but it was an incredible experience. There's always something to do no matter what time of day or night and the food is incredible. There are three different beaches that you can walk or run along all day. I felt very safe the entire time and loved all of the people in the city!

By Becca Smith on February 18, 2016

See all 2 answers

If you are OK at speaking Spanish is this good for you?

I think it is good for you no matter what. Knowing the language well helps a lot, but if you just know the basics you will still be fine. Not everyone was advanced, yet they still improved a lot. It's a wonderful experience.

By Sarah Cox on January 26, 2016

See all 3 answers

View All Questions

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you decide to study abroad with SPI?

I wanted to become fluent in Spanish again after I forgot when I moved to Michigan from Florida. SPI was the best program my family and I could find and had great reviews from everyone who went.

Do you feel you got a chance to see the city from a local's perspective?

I felt right at home in Santander. By the end of the month I was able to take the bus anywhere, became friends with locals, and knew the city like the back of my hand.

View Entire Interview

What made this study abroad experience unique and special?

I feel that not knowing anyone before going on this trip made it extra special. I made life long friends that I would have never met otherwise.

How has this experience impacted your future?

Studying abroad helped me get college credits before I even became a junior in high school. It also helped me become fluent in Spanish again which helps me a lot because my entire family speaks Spanish and I also want to study it in college.

What was the best place you visited outside of your study abroad city?

I would say either Los Picos de Europa or Santillana del Mar. Los Picos de Europa was so amazing to hike and some of the most beautiful scenery I've ever seen. Santillana del Mar was a typical small city in northern Spain with so much history, it was a wonderful experience to visit this city twice.

Becca Smith

Janessa Dixon

Harper Ramsey

Corey Lenhoff

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

What is your favorite travel memory?

My favorite travel memory has to be my first trip to Spain. Upon arriving in San Sebastian the beach city vibe and foodie culture absolutely felt tailor made to my sensibilities and passions. Being from Southern California the beach felt like home but the Spanish neo-classical architecture of the Parte Vieja, the pintxo restaurants, and the walking tours in the city that make up part of the Camino de Santiago all made the experience of traveling and living abroad a memory that I will cherish forever!

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

I think that the city of Bilbao is the most underrated. It has a reputation of being an industrial city which probably keeps a lot of potential tourists away but upon visiting the city I found the cultural offerings of the Guggenheim Museum to be second to none. The most overrated city is Paris. Long lines at all of the attractions and the food isn't as good as advertised.

View Entire Interview

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

I believe that the biggest factor in being a successful company is customer service. If a company can deliver what the customer desires on time and within the budget given, then that company will develop of positive reputation. There is no advertisement better than a positive reputation.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Since I began working for SPI Abroad, I have deeper appreciation for the hard work that goes into planning for a successful study abroad experience for students. Careful recruitment of highly qualified staff, strategic planning of extra curricular activities that explore the target culture and outstanding customer service are some of the traits that I have focused on developing for the benefit of the students who travel with SPI Abroad.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

SPI Abroad has a verifiable track record of success when it comes to customer satisfaction. Our students and their families benefit from our experience in producing outstanding study abroad programs that focus on target language acquisition, cultural immersion and safe travel experience for their students.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

During the final week of our month long program in San Sebastian, a group of students came together to tell me and my Program Director that they had decided to try and come back for another study abroad experience next year. Nothing says success like a repeat customer. I was especially proud to be a part of a team that helped a group of students create life long friendships, memories and a desire to continue their study abroad experience.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best story that I have heard from a return student is that their return trip was even more fulfilling than their original experience. It is never easy to live up to the expectations of a student who has already taken part in the study abroad experience but to have heard them tell me that they second trip was even more outstanding was truly appreciated.

Beatriz Arias-Godinez

Spanish Assistant Director

John Foster

Program Director

About SPI Study Abroad

SPI Study Abroad has taken a strategic pause due to the impact of COVID-19, and will not be running programs until further notice. The organization offered high school language immersion, volunteer service, and cultural leadership summer programs in Spain, France, Italy, Costa Rica, Mexico, and China. The five essential elements of SPI programs...

Program Details

Pricing

Alumni Interviews

Hannah Stein

Why did you decide to study abroad with SPI?

Do you feel you got a chance to see the city from a local's perspective?

What made this study abroad experience unique and special?

How has this experience impacted your future?

What was the best place you visited outside of your study abroad city?

Staff Interviews

Mark Lee Hochberg

What is your favorite travel memory?

Which destination is most underrated? Conversely, which is most overrated?

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?