Barcelona Pre-College: Transformative Summer

Course Description: Barcelona Pre-College: Transformative Summer

Spain Pre-College Program for Teens – Barcelona + Costa Blanca, Granada & Madrid (28 Days) 🇪🇸🎓

Program Overview 🌟

This 28-day pre-college program in Spain combines four weeks in Barcelona, Costa Blanca, Granada and Madrid into one immersive study abroad experience for high school students.

Students begin in Barcelona, studying at respected institutions, living in a modern student residence and exploring the city’s culture, art, architecture and beaches. The program offers a rare blend of academic enrichment, cultural immersion and college preparation while living in a Mediterranean city.

The final week takes students to Costa Blanca, Granada and Madrid for a grand finale of coastal stays, historic sites and capital-city highlights. Throughout, the program balances independence and structure, helping students gain confidence, global awareness and a stronger sense of readiness for university life.

There is also a 21-day Barcelona-only version, and a 14-day Barcelona program available.

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Program Highlights ✨

• Choose from a variety of engaging pre-college courses

• Live in a modern college residence in one of Barcelona’s most desirable areas

• Stay active with gym and indoor pool access 💪🏊

• Explore Barcelona highlights during Student’s Choice time

• Immerse yourself in local culture with a Flamenco workshop and a guided Gothic Quarter tour

• Enjoy exciting day trips to Girona, Figueres, Tarragona, Sitges and more 🚆

• Visit the Picasso Museum, attend a mosaic workshop, and discover Barcelona’s vibrant art scene 🎨

• Take a tour of FC Barcelona Stadium (pending renovation schedule; included but optional)

• Refine your culinary skills in a Spanish cooking class

• Finish with a grand finale week in Costa Blanca, Granada and Madrid, including beaches, historic palaces and city exploration 🌊🏰🏙️

• Meet and make new friends while studying abroad

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Typical Weekday Schedule (Barcelona) 📅

Students choose one morning course and enjoy afternoon highlights.

8:00 AM – Wake Up

8:30 AM – Breakfast

10:30 AM – Morning Course

1:00 PM – Lunch

3:00 PM – Afternoon Highlight

5:30 PM – Student’s Choice (Sports, Pool & Fitness Club, City Exploring)

8:00 PM – Dinner

10:00 PM – Evening Activities

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Academic Courses – Morning 📘

Entrepreneurship & New Venture Creation 💡

Students experience the full process of entrepreneurial management for early-stage ventures. The course covers:

• Identifying and evaluating new business opportunities

• Developing and refining business ideas

• Understanding start-up processes and resource acquisition

• Building the key components of a business plan

Emphasis is placed on projects and activity-based learning.

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Psychology of Human Behavior: Barcelona 🧠

Introduction to behavioral, cognitive and clinical psychology. Topics include:

• Emotional intelligence

• Perception and its limitations

• Cognitive distortions and memory

• Mental illness, stereotyping and prejudice

Lessons use discussion, film and in-class activities.

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Cooking: The Food and Culture of Spain 👩‍🍳

At Barcelona Cooking School on Las Ramblas, students:

• Learn kitchen skills from expert chefs

• Explore how Spanish culture and regions are reflected in food

• Prepare signature dishes such as Valencian paella and Catalan tapas

The school is steps from the famous Boqueria Market.

Supplementary fee: $220

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Spanish Language Immersion 🇪🇸

The city becomes the classroom through real-life language activities under the guidance of a Spanish teacher. Students may:

• Bargain at a local market

• Interview local community leaders

• Participate in other real-world Spanish interactions and cultural experiences

Open to students with at least two years of previous Spanish study.

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Leadership and Negotiation Skills 👥

This course focuses on leadership as a skill set. Students:

• Build self-awareness

• Explore inspirational leadership styles

• Learn negotiation techniques

• Develop tools to contribute effectively in teams and communities

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Digital Photography Journal: Barcelona 📸

Students capture Barcelona’s art, architecture and street life. The course covers:

• Framing, lighting and composition

• Use of manual camera functions

• Creation of a final portfolio of work

A DSLR or bridge camera with manual functions and at least a 12.0 megapixel sensor is required.

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Independent Workout: Barcelona 🏋️

Students have access to the Canricart Fitness Center and can plan a workout program that includes:

• Cardio

• Weight training

• General fitness tailored to personal goals

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International Business in a Globalized World 🌍

This course examines how international business affects everyday life. Students:

• Study economic foundations of international business

• Consider political, economic, cultural and legal forces shaping business across countries

• Analyze how global firms structure their internal operations to compete internationally

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Online Marketing with Digital Apps 🎬

Focused on video and digital media as modern marketing tools. Students learn to:

• Plan and produce promotional videos using digital apps

• Understand core elements of visual storytelling

• Promote content via social media and digital channels

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Spanish Language (All Levels) 💬

A structured Spanish course emphasizing:

• Grammar, vocabulary, reading and writing

• Strong focus on verbal communication and real-world use

Open to all levels, from beginner to advanced.

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Sports Management: Barcelona ⚽

Overview of the business of professional sports, including:

• Finance, marketing and technology in sports organizations

• Live event production and broadcasting rights

• Athlete marketing, sponsorship and the fan experience

• Sports law

Delivered through lectures, case studies and guest speakers where applicable.

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Voice & Impact: Finding Your Power in Public Speaking 🎤

Workshop-style course designed to build:

• Confidence in speaking in class, groups and online

• Ability to craft and deliver impactful communication

• Skills to connect authentically with an audience

Students practice public speaking, receive feedback and work through mental blocks, leaving with tools to present ideas clearly and with greater self-confidence.

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Community Service at the Martí-Codolar Youth Center 🤝

Students support Martí-Codolar Youth Center, which has been serving disadvantaged children, youth and families for more than fifty years. Activities may include:

• Facilitating games and recreational programs

• Helping with computer education

• Supporting English practice and conversation

Service hours certificates:

• 21-day & 28-day programs: 27 hours of community service

• 14-day program: 17 hours of community service

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College Life & Accommodation 🏙️

LIV Student Barcelona Residence 🛏️

Students live at LIV Student Barcelona Residence, located in one of Barcelona’s most exclusive areas with cafés, boutiques, parks and theaters nearby.

Each two-person suite includes:

• Air conditioning

• Private bathroom

• Safe

• Wi-Fi

• Desks

Residence features:

• 24-hour security

• Garden and sun deck

• State-of-the-art gym with indoor soccer, volleyball and basketball courts

• Game room

• Study and computer rooms

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Stay Active: Gym & Indoor Pool 💪🏊

Students receive a membership to the DiR Diagonal Fitness and Pool Club, which offers:

• Yoga, spinning, Pilates, martial arts and aerobics

• Cardio and weight training equipment

• Indoor solarium pool

• Outdoor resort-style pool with lounge chairs and palm trees

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Prestigious Academic Partners 🎓

Courses are delivered in partnership with leading institutions, including:

• Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)

• EU Business School (university-level business courses)

• Barcelona Cooking (Spanish cooking classes)

• Institut d’Estudis Fotogràfics de Catalunya (IEFC) for Digital Photography Journal

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Social Experience & Organized Sports 😊

The program is designed to reflect aspects of college life:

• Students live together in a residence

• Choose from multiple academic options

• Enjoy structured activities plus free time

Organized sports include:

• Basketball

• Volleyball

• Indoor soccer

  and more, coordinated by a Sports Coordinator.

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Academic Recognition 📄

• Experience a balance of engaging courses, excursions and free time

• Receive a certificate of completion for your course

• Letters of recommendation are available

• Classes are private to program participants

• Courses are taught by experienced university-level faculty, instructors and local professionals

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Meals 🍽️

• Breakfast: Buffet-style at the dining hall or hotels with a range of hot and cold options

• Dinner:

• Some nights at the residence hall

• Other nights at local restaurants (either with the whole group or in smaller groups)

• Lunch:

• Taken in smaller groups at local cafés and restaurants

Food is varied and plentiful, with:

• Local Spanish and Mediterranean dishes (seafood, paella, fresh fruits and vegetables, meats)

• North American–style options available as well

Most dietary needs can be accommodated:

• Vegetarian

• Food allergies

• Lactose intolerance

• Celiac disease

• Kosher-style diets

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Transportation & Program Specifics ✈️🚆

Travel to Barcelona, Spain

Participants may:

• Join a chaperoned evening group flight from the New York area to Barcelona (staff present from check-in onward)

• Connect from other cities into New York to join the group flight

• Travel independently and meet the group in Barcelona, with support for flight coordination and greeting after immigration and customs

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Return from Madrid, Spain

At the end of the 28-day program (after the grand finale week):

• A chaperoned group flight from Madrid to New York is available

• Students from other areas may:

• Join this flight and connect onward from New York, or

• Fly directly from Madrid to their home city, with staff remaining at the airport until flights (within designated times) have departed

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Local Transportation

• Public transportation in Barcelona

• Occasional private motor coach for excursions and day trips

• Private coach use during the grand finale week (Costa Blanca, Granada and Madrid), as applicable

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Laundry 🧺

Students usually need about one week’s worth of clothing. Laundry can be done by:

• Dropping clothing at a local wash-and-fold service and picking it up cleaned and folded

• Using laundry facilities in the residence hall

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What’s Included ✅

• All lodging (Barcelona residence and hotels during the final week)

• Breakfast and dinner daily

• Listed recreation and entertainment

• Day and weekend excursions

• Fitness club and pool membership

• Wi-Fi in residence

• Campus identification fee

• Classes (supplementary fees apply for select courses, e.g., Cooking)

• Airport transfers at designated times

• Gratuities and taxes

Not Included ❌

• Transportation to and from the program (international flights)

• Lunches

• Snacks

• Personal spending money and souvenirs

• Laundry costs

• Application fee

• Optional travel insurance

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Barcelona Highlights 🌆🌊

Students visit many of Barcelona’s key landmarks and experiences, such as:

• Las Ramblas – Lively boulevard connecting Plaza Cataluña to the waterfront

• Casa Milà (La Pedrera) – Gaudí-designed building and UNESCO World Heritage site

• Guided Bike Tour – Orientation to the city’s history and architecture by bike

• IKONO Museum – Immersive spaces blending art, play and surprise

• Plaza Cataluña – Central square with sculptures, mosaics and frequent public activities

• Gothic Quarter – Medieval streets, Catalan restaurants, Roman remains and Picasso connections

• Park Güell – Gaudí’s park with panoramic city views, a symbol of Catalan modernism

• Gaudí’s Casa Batlló – Iconic façade inspired by organic forms and coral-like colors

• Plaza Real – Historic square off Las Ramblas with early works by Gaudí

• Sagrada Família – Gaudí’s masterpiece basilica, a defining feature of Barcelona’s skyline

• Barceloneta Beach – Classic urban beach and promenade near Port Olímpic

• La Boqueria Market – Historic food market with over 200 stalls selling produce, tapas and more

• Barcelona Cooking School – Hands-on Spanish cooking classes with professional chefs

• Picasso Museum – More than 3,500 works showcasing Picasso’s development

• FC Barcelona Camp Nou Stadium Tour* – Visit to Spain’s largest stadium (pending renovation schedule; included but optional)

• Museum of Contemporary Art (MACBA)* – Contemporary works from major artists; included but optional

• Flamenco Workshop – Learn basic steps, rhythm and choreography with professional “bailaoras”

• Aerial Cable Car from Port Vell to Montjuïc – Panoramic views over the harbor and city

• Bogatell Beach – Relaxed beach in Sant Martí with a calm, laid-back atmosphere

• Moco Museum – Mix of pop art and street art housed in a historic palace, featuring established and emerging artists

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Day Trips 🚆

• PortAventura World – Tarragona – Spain’s most-visited theme park, combining attractions and coastal surroundings

• Figueres – Home of the Salvador Dalí Museum, where both the building and artwork create an unforgettable experience

• Girona – Medieval city with cobblestone streets and a historic old quarter

• Sitges Beach – Stylish Mediterranean beach town with a lively summer atmosphere

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Grand Finale Week – Costa Blanca, Granada & Madrid 🌊🏰🏙️

Costa Blanca

• Enjoy the beaches along the Mediterranean Sea

• Sail to Tabarca Island and snorkel in its marine reserve

• Accommodation: Hotel Eurostars Lucentum

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Granada

• Stay in a historic city at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains

• Guided tour of the Alhambra, a 12th-century Moorish palace and fortification

• Visit the Cathedral and Royal Chapel, where Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand are buried

• Explore the Albaicín neighborhood, local merchants and gypsy cave areas

• Relax with a café con leche in Plaza Nueva

• Accommodation: Gran Hotel Luna De Granada

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Madrid

• Experience the capital’s mix of grandeur and energy, from Gran Vía to the Royal Palace

• Row boating in Retiro Park

• Explore Plaza Mayor and Puerta del Sol, especially in the evening

• Visit the Prado Museum to see works by Velázquez, Goya and other masters

• Stop in the ancient capital Toledo as part of the wider Madrid experience

• Accommodation: Hotel Opera