Spain

Spain entices the traveler with its combination of old world charm and vibrant peoples. Join us on a journey through Spain that most tourists never encounter. In addition to experiencing the renowned sites and sounds of this diverse country, you will uncover a beautiful, untainted Spain. In the villages where you will stay, people value family time and 'salt-of-the-earth' grandfathers still recount stories from the civil war. Our trip successfully combines cultural and language immersion, community service, and adventure travel throughout many charming, rural areas.


Gredos Mountains (4 days) - After arriving in Madrid, our group will take a short bus ride west to El Centro de Gredos, located just south of Avila. Following a day of orientation and warming up our Spanish, we get to work on conservation projects in the adjacent national park. With two days of team building and service projects under our belts, the group will embark on an orienteering and route planning adventure-challenge. Each small group will work together to discover a number of hidden clues en route to our base camp in the mountains.  After a celebratory barbeque and night of camping out under the stars, the group will return to our base at the Gredos Centre. 

Amayuelas (4 days) - The next stop on our Spanish adventure is the small town of Amayuelas de Abajo, located just north of Palencia. Amayuelas is a model community for sustainable living and there will be many interesting projects to accomplish over the next few days. Our students will break into small groups and work with Spanish community members in various tasks, such as making adobe bricks for construction, building a fence or wall for livestock, bread making or working in the greenhouse. Naturally, it is not all work and no play; in the late afternoons and evenings there will be time for activities like a soccer game or music with the locals.

Castilla y Leon and Homestays (14 days) - From Amayuelas, our group travels to communities just south of the Gredos Mountains where families are eager to meet and welcome you into their homes. For the next two weeks you'll be able to practice your Spanish (and sign language) with your homestay family. Your confidence will soar as your language skills improve. Each day you'll leave your family to help on projects with other youth in the community.  Many afternoons you'll enjoy swimming and basking in the sun at the natural pools formed by clear water from the mountains. On weekends you will enjoy days off with your homestay family. The farewell dinner and community celebration will bring an unforgettable two weeks to a close.

Madrid (3 days) - Although it's hard to believe the trip is nearly over, we've saved three of the best days for last-in Madrid! Our hostel is right off the Puerta del Sol and gives us easy Metro access to the cosmopolitan inner city and the palaces of another era.  Make sure you save some Euros for last minute souvenir shopping between visits to some of the most incredible art museums in the world!  A trip to Madrid would not be complete without attending a bullfight and strolling through the Plaza Mayor and Retiro Park. A final celebratory flamenco show and dinner at a restaurant in Madrid will provide the backdrop as we exchange laughter and stories from the past month. This is an adventure you don't want to miss!

* please note the some of our projects, locations, and activities will change from year to year, however, they will be similar to those listed. A final itinerary will be printed prior to each trip.

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 Click here to see a slide show from the Global Works - Spain program.

  Spain College Credit Program

Educational Objectives

• Learn Spanish in small, fun, skill level appropriate classes
• Earn 3 credits of college level Spanish
• Improve oral, reading, and writing skills in Spanish
• Take field trips and study current issues in Spanish

Service, Adventure, and Cultural Activities

• Work in a home for adults with physical and mental challenges
• Experience a three week Homestay in the city of Grenada
• Visit world famous sites in Grenada, Cordoba, and Sevilla
• Enjoy the beautiful beaches of Spain's Costa del Sol

We are excited to offer a program that blends the elements of a Global Works language immersion experience with a more formalized approach to Spanish language learning. For three weeks, participants will live with families while honing their Spanish skills with four hours per day of specialized and engaging language instruction. Set in the southern province of Andalucia, the city of Grenada offers all the music, cuisine, architecture and warm friendly people typically associated with Spain.  Join us for an amazing opportunity to improve your Spanish and make new friends in this enchanting location.

Spain entices the traveler with its combination old world charm and vibrant peoples. Join us on a journey through Spain that most tourists never encounter. In addition to experiencing the renowned sites and sounds of this diverse country, you will be exposed to a beautiful, untainted Spain. Our trip successfully combines language study, community service, and adventure travel throughout many charming areas of Andalucia.

Toledo and Orientation (3 days)- Just an hour from Madrid's Barajas Airport, Toledo is the perfect place for the group to get to know one another while soaking up the language and culture of Spain. In-between orientation sessions, we'll stroll the cobblestone streets of this architectural wonder that has long been the spiritual and intellectual capital of Spain.

Granada (18 days) - Welcome to Granada, home of the Alhambra palace and one of the most captivating cities in Spain! Upon arrival, we meet our homestay families and settle-in for the next three weeks. Our Spanish classes at a language institute begin with an evaluation of each student's abilities. Once we are all placed in the appropriate levels, we'll have four hours of intensive class each morning.  After an extended Spanish lunch and a siesta, we'll meet in the afternoon for a wide variety of activities, including sports, social service work, cooking class and exploring Granada! During our stay, we'll visit the palace-fortress La Alhambra with its amazing halls fit for the kings of Al-Andalus, stroll the alleyways of the old Moorish quarter (the Albaicín) and see the Cathedral and Capilla Real, burial place of Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs who conquered Granada in 1492.  In the evening, we join the groups of Granadino families and friends as they pour into the streets to enjoy the cooler temperatures and share a "tapa" or an ice cream.

Sevilla and the beaches of Costa del Sol (3 days) - On weekends, we will explore the diverse wonders of Andalucía.  One weekend we will visit the fabulous city of Sevilla, famous for its Gothic cathedral and ancient Jewish Quarter.  After so much studying, we will be ready for some rest and relaxation with a couple day trips to the beautiful beaches of the Costa del Sol! 

Madrid (3 days) - Although it's hard to believe the trip is nearly over, we've saved two of the best days for last-in Madrid! Our hostel is right off the Puerta del Sol and gives us easy Metro access to the cosmopolitan inner city and the palaces of another era. Make sure you save some euros for last minute souvenir shopping between visits to some of the most incredible art museums in the world! A final celebratory flamenco show and dinner at a restaurant in Madrid will provide the backdrop as we exchange laughter and stories from the past month. Please refer to our website for more images, information, and testimonials! www.globalworksinc.com

* please note the some of our projects, locations, and activities will change from year to year, however, they will be similar to those listed. A final itinerary will be printed prior to each trip.

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 Click here to see a slide show from the Global Works - Spain program.