Description

El Casal is a gap year program offering seminars in Spanish language, Catalan language, art history and Spanish civilization, contemporary Spanish society and politics and other subjects. It also places students in volunteer positions and provides links to activities that may be of particular interest to the participants, such as art, ceramics, guitar or dance classes.

El Casal provides guided excursions in the city of Barcelona and day trips to places of interest in the region of Catalunya. It offers cultural activities such as concerts, movies, theater performances,special dinners. A feature of the program is a guided 8-day hike along the Camino de Santiago to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain.

Highlights

Highlights include a wide range of cultural and leisure activities tailored to the interests of the participants. This is possible given the small, self-contained nature of El Casal. The Resident Director teaches in the program, arranges the homestays (working directly with the families) and supervises all day-to-day activities. Students have daily access to the Resident Director. Our hike along the Camino de Santiago is a special feature--and a very popular one!--not offered by other Spain-based programs.

Degrees Available

• Diploma/Certification

Travel Types

• BackPacking Abroad
• Hiking
• Homestay
• Volunteering

Qualifications

Applicants should have had at least 2 years of high school Spanish or the equivalent.

Minimum Education

High School

Type of Programs

• Community Service / Volunteerism
• Language Immersion
• Cultural Exploration

Languages

• Catalan
• Spanish

Languages Used as a Medium of Teaching

• Spanish
• English

Cost in US$:

approx. 11,000, subject to USD / Euro exchange rates

Program Fees Include:

* tuition and instructional program
* room
* breakfasts and dinners with the host family
* laundry
* program activities
* local excursions
* day trips
* unlimited Barcelona public transportation passes
* cell phone
* insurance
* transfers from Barcelona airport upon arrival
* lodging and all meals along the Camino de Santiago
* round-trip transportation Barcelona-Santiago de Compostela-Barcelona

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Volunteers should have an interest in social service and at least intermediate level Spanish.

Age Range

17-19

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

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

Typically The Application Process Time is

one month

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

El Casal Barcelona's Mission Statement

El Casal is an innovative gap year program in Barcelona, Spain for high school graduates wishing to take some time out between high school and their freshman year in college. We believe that a gap year is a great way to challenge yourself and to discover new interests and passions while you reflect on the direction you want to take in college and beyond. El Casal provides you the tools and support you need for living abroad, while allowing you the free time to explore new possibilities and to renew your sense of discovery in an exciting and stimulating city.

Year Founded

2003