WHY STUDY LANGUAGE IN SPAIN?
After your pre-travel virtual workshops, embark on a journey through Spain, where history, culture, sustainability, and community engagement come alive. Your adventure begins in the vibrant capital city Madrid, where you’ll explore iconic landmarks, immerse yourself in Spanish culture, and discuss the importance of community engagement, setting the stage for your transformative experience.
From Madrid, you’ll travel to Granada, a city renowned for its rich heritage, stunning architecture, and vibrant cultural life. Granada is a melting pot of history and tradition, offering a unique backdrop for your exploration of community initiatives. You’ll participate in intensive Spanish language training, sharpening your skills to better connect with local communities and fully immerse yourself in the experience. Each day offers new opportunities to explore the city, engage with local leaders, and participate in interactive workshops that emphasize the significance of inclusive community-building.
Experience the warmth and hospitality of Granada during weekend homestays, allowing you to connect with local families and contribute to meaningful community projects. These homestays provide a unique chance to forge connections and make a lasting impact, deepening your understanding of the community’s social fabric.
From thought-provoking discussions at local forums to hands-on activities in community gardens and cultural centers, your experiential adventure continues. Explore the vibrant arts scene, take part in local festivals, and discover innovative approaches to community development. Discover initiatives that emphasize sustainable community practices, visit local NGOs, and witness the powerful role of cultural preservation in fostering community resilience.
This journey is a vibrant blend of cultural exploration, language learning, community engagement, and social impact. During your program wrap-up, finalize your community action plan/project for your return home.
After you return home, reconnect with your group virtually to report on the progress of your action plan/project.
LEARN BY DOING
The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Spain, you will learn:
Technical Skills
- Spanish language
Interpersonal Skills
- Intercultural communication
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Relationship-building
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
- The Experiment Leadership Institute participants participate in pre-travel and post-travel programming virtually with their Experiment group.
- Outdoor activities include hiking and water activities such as swimming.
- Temperatures and humidity can be very high in Spain during the summer.
- Students will explore urban life on foot (lots of walking!) and learn to navigate the public transit system.
- During this program, you will stay with a host family during the weekends and at a student dormitory (residencia) during the week.
- Cities in Spain are increasingly vegetarian/vegan-friendly and gluten-free options are not difficult to find.
- Access to the internet is limited and internet speeds and connectivity vary.
- The diverse personal and social identities of participants may, in part, shape their experience abroad. In-country partners will discuss cultural norms and the local context during orientation. Please read our approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for further information. All students will have a safe space within the program spaces and with the local staff and group leaders.
- The Experiment program structure is rooted in experiential learning and cohort-based learning. The participant group experience is a major source of learning for Experimenters and is facilitated by trained Experiment group leaders.
Program Eligibility
To be accepted, all prospective Experimenters must have completed their 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th-grade year but have not yet entered college or university and demonstrate the following admissions criteria through their online application and interview:
- Motivation to participate in an Experiment program;
- Ability to work in a group setting (in school or outside of school) with peers and adults from diverse backgrounds;
- Proven maturity;
- Open-mindedness and curiosity about Costa Rican life and culture; and
- Obtain a passport that is valid through at least February 28, 2025.
Leadership Institute applicants must also have:
- Leadership potential shown through community and/or school involvement;
- Commitment to participating in virtual pre-program workshops and sessions and a post-program community action project; reliable internet access during the pre-and post-program components; and
- Demonstrated interest in climate change, climate justice, or conservation and environmental work.
- Alumni of past Experiment Abroad programs are not eligible for the Leadership Institute.
Our admissions and program staff will manage the interview and selection process. Participants will be selected through a transparent, verifiable process based on demonstrated interests and potential, reference form, and personal interviews. Interviews will focus on the applicant’s interest in and commitment to high-quality leadership, global competency, civic responsibility, community engagement, and their enthusiasm for participating and completing the follow-on programming. Leadership Institute participants who complete the program, including pre-and post-program components, will receive a digital certificate of completion.
Applicants will also be evaluated on the following characteristics:
- Excellent social and communication skills;
- An energetic, positive attitude;
- Group-oriented and ability to work within a diverse team
- Ability to implement projects that benefit the applicant’s school and/or community;
- Demonstrated ability to reflect on learning; and
- Demonstrated potential to follow through with projects and apply what one has learned to new projects, initiatives, or plans.
How to Apply
- Go to the Apply page.
- On the Program Selection page, choose Leadership Institute: Climate Change in Costa Rica or Leadership Institute: Spanish Language & Community Engagement in Spain for your first- and/or second-choice program.
- Select a program that is not part of The Experiment Leadership Institute for your third choice. We will consider your application for this third program if you are not accepted to The Experiment Leadership Institute.
- The application deadline for the competitive Leadership Institute summer is January 15.
Need-Based Leadership Institute Scholarships
All Leadership Institute scholarships are need-based and range from $1,000 to full scholarships covering tuition and international airfare. To be considered for a need-based scholarship, on your online application for admission, please answer “Yes,” to the question, “Would you like to apply for a need-based scholarship?” and complete the need-based scholarship application form emailed to your financially responsible parent/guardian.
