Improve your Spanish language skills with formal training as you explore Madrid and Andalucía’s vibrant cultural landmarks and hidden treasures.
Community Service
Language
Social Change
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.
The Experiment’s programs are designed to build skills that will help you succeed. In Spain, you will learn:
Technical Skills
Interpersonal Skills
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:
Leadership Institute applicants must also have:
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:
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.
*Program fees may increase by
$500 -$1000 to account for changes
to lodging accommodations.
Families or partner organizations are also responsible for arranging and paying for participants' domestic travel to the international departure/return airport in the U.S., whether flying, driving or by other means. By its nature, domestic airfare varies by airline, timing, destination, and availability.
The country itself was almost as beautiful as the people living within it who opened their arms to me without a second thought. I was overwhelmed by the mesmerizing scenery, the fascinating history, and the intricate language that filled every street.
CLAIRE, The Experiment alum, Spain
This itinerary is only a sample and is subject to change. Because of factors such as group size and availability of in-country offerings such as festivals, your experience — including sites visited and the number of days spent in each location — may differ somewhat from the one presented below.
Program Orientation
During program orientation, you will stay at a hotel near the airport.
Orientation in Madrid
During the orientation period, you and your group will stay in a centrally-located hostel.
Host communities and homestay
During this period, you will stay in a dormitory-style student residence during the week and with a homestay family during the weekend.
Intensive Language Training in Granada
During this period, you will stay in a dormitory-style student residence during the week and with a homestay family during the weekend.
Program Reflection and Wrap-up in Madrid
During the reflection period, you and your group will stay in a centrally located hotel.
Departure and Return to Home
The Experiment’s group leaders go through a rigorous selection process and have extensive experience with youth education, local expertise in the country or region of their program, language abilities, knowledge in their program theme, travel logistics and management know-how, and experience with health, safety and risk management.
Megan received her bachelor’s in Spanish and Sociology with a sub-plan in Law, Justice, and Social Change from the University of Michigan. As an undergraduate student, Megan enjoyed volunteering as an English Conversation Circle facilitator to help international students find community and connect with US culture. She’s also proud to be a first-generation college student and was an active member of First-Gens @ Umich. Megan’s first experience abroad was for a summer internship to teach English at the University of Minho in Braga, Portugal. She then studied abroad for a semester in Granada, Spain, and completed a summer internship in Barcelona. In 2021, she returned to Portugal for a year as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant at the University of Madeira. Upon returning to the US, Megan has enjoyed helping engineering students at the University of Michigan plan and prepare for successful research and study abroad opportunities. Megan is passionate about learning languages, intercultural exchange, and working with students.
The Experiment's programs are led by accomplished and experienced faculty and staff who typically live in the country of study. Program leaders are responsible for instructional content, classroom and field experiences, and daily program operations.
Arturo Tapia believes that education is the best way to make the world a healthier place. He is a passionate and energetic educator who values the importance of culture and art.
Arturo holds a master’s degree in cultural tourism management and local development, and a bachelor’s degree in art history. In addition to being a frequent guest speaker for the Faculty of Education at the University of Granada, he has extensive experience as a cultural heritage guide. On the local level, Arturo has developed educational projects for schoolchildren and adults through local organizations and the University of Granada.
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