Andalusian Civilization Advanced Spanish and History: A Journey through the Andalusian Region
Program Overview
Itinerary:
Seville, Córdoba, Granada
Dates:
July 5 – August 3, 2007
Key Excursions:
Almuñecar, Califal Baths, Guadix, Medina Azahar
Focus:
Advanced Spanish Language and Civilization
Housing:
Residence, Apartment and Hotel
Level:
Grades 10-12
Prerequisite:
3 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.
Students are given an invaluable perspective on the development of world cultures, civilizations and religions in the context of the Christian, Jewish and Islamic heritage of Andalusia. This pre-college program also helps them improve their Spanish language skills through daily usage, experiential learning and advanced language classes. The four-week program will take the group from the Andalusia's capital city of Seville to Córdoba and end in the fascinating city of Granada.
This pre-college program seeks to introduce architecture, language and history through cultural immersion and to inspire students to continue exploring these subjects in their future studies. The students will also have time to enjoy the Andalusian lifestyle, participate in recreational activities, make new friends, travel, and have an unforgettable experience.
Program Itinerary
Part 1: Seville (10 days)
This traveling program will begin in Seville, the cultural, artistic and financial capital of Andalusia. Students will be mesmerized by the array of impressive monuments that stand as a legacy of Seville'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 Seville. 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.
Part 2: Córdoba (2 weeks)
The group will then spend two weeks 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 Jewish quarter, known as the Judería. Students will be charmed by the narrow, labyrinth like streets and colorful patios found on every corner. They will also have the opportunity to learn about the art of Flamenco during the popular Festival of the Guitar.
Part 3: Granada (5 days)
The final part of the program will take the students to Granada. Its panoramic views which include 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 a pre-college course on world civilizations, cultures and religions with a focus on Andalusia. It will give our students such essential intellectual skills as comparative and critical thinking, as well as cultural and ideological awareness and tolerance, which will prove invaluable in their college years. The fascinating historical heritage of Andalusia and its Jewish, Muslim and Christian monuments provide an ideal setting for this course. Students will also experience the influence of the Islamic legacy in today's music, cinema, cuisine and people that make up the Andalusia of today.
Lectures on Andalusian civilization will be taught in English. Students will then review and discuss the material in Spanish by exploring the most emblematic monuments and sites with their Spanish professors, ensuring language practice and comprehension.
Housing
The group will experience a different way of living in each of the cities. During their first days of the course, students will live in a centrally located student residence in Seville. They will then have the opportunity to try out typical Spanish recipes during their two-week stay in private apartments in Córdoba, equipped with small kitchenettes, and sharing a bedroom with 2-3 of their peers. The group will then enjoy the comforts of a centrally located hotel in Granada. All of these residences are chosen and visited by Abbey Road staff.
Daily Schedule
The daily schedule will be flexible and may be changed as needed, due to our rigorous itinerary and the summer heat. 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 plenty of free time to pursue personal interests, make friends and explore the town. 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.
Additional 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 and a trip to the therapeutic Caliphal Baths.
Almuñecar: Caliphal Baths: Guadix: Medina Azahar:
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 program fee for the Andalusia Civilization program is:
Before airfare
Including airfare R/T from JFK
Andalusian Civilization:
$6,200
$7,100
The fee covers everything except personal expenses, such as shopping, eating out by choice, taking taxis, or certain optional activities going beyond the planned program. Specifically, the fee includes:
Round-trip group airfare from New York to Europe
All regional travel costs: air, bus and train
Tuition, graduation certificate, and academic credit (varies by program)
Workshops and individual tutoring
Room and board (hotels; all meals included)
All pre-planned group excursions and activities, including tickets, passes, meals and transport
All regional day trips (including meals, group activities and transport)
Travel, accident, and medical insurance for the full period of the program
For any questions regarding the program fee, deposits and payment schedule, or cancellations and refunds, please visit the Application & Fees page.
How to Apply for the Program
Availability is becoming limited for many programs. We encourage serious students to call to find out if there is availability for their program of interest: 888-462-2239.
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 1-888-462-2239 (from abroad 1-310-276-1745) or email us at info@goabbeyroad.com.
