Join Us in San Juan, Puerto Rico
STUNNING HISTORY AND SPANISH HERITAGE COMBINE ON THIS VIBRANT AND BEAUTIFUL ISLAND
Bienvenidos a Puerto Rico! (Welcome to Puerto Rico!) For any Spanish speaker, or student of Spanish in the United States, Puerto Rico is the place to be! The use of the Spanish language in Puerto Rico offers all its visitors an amazing opportunity to utilize and hone their linguistic skills while remaining in the comfort of a friendly community. In addition to this wonderful language immersion opportunity, the beauty of Puerto Rico is unmatched throughout the Caribbean and has captivated the hearts and minds of people for centuries! From the delicious local Spanish inspired Puerto Rican cuisine, to the traditional music and dance, all the visitors to this island will be spellbound by its cultural beauty. San Juan itself also holds a unique blend of “Old” and “New” styles, both artistically and culturally, from the pre-colonial era, to the Spanish colonial era, to modern day! This and much more await your exploration this summer. Of course, we will show you all the famous tourist attractions around Puerto Rico and San Juan, such as the historic Castillo San Cristóbal (the largest fortification built by the Spanish in the New World!) and the amazing La Fortaleza, which is the official residence of the Governor of Puerto Rico, but you will also be free (within our safety guidelines) to enjoy the city’s famous café scene and shopping districts with your good friends in tow. This free time is balanced well against your time spent in our classes. Exploring Puerto Rico and San Juan with friends will be a nice reprieve from your academic coursework! Apply today to join us for a summer in the Caribbean, immersed in the tradition, and culture of one of the most spoken languages on the planet!
You will live in upscale, comfortable student apartments/residences, in the very center of the city. You’ll be just a short walk from the various historical locations, museums, and shopping districts in the city! Our apartments are rented and controlled by World Class Programs and you will only live with other World Class students. There are no host families. The apartments have living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms and 2-3 bedrooms. Each bedroom is shared by two students with staff members housed in a separate apartment. Each program will also have a dedicated World Class Programs Security Officer staying in the building, who will be on-call to the needs of the students 24/7.
Every student on the program will choose two classes as their academic focus while living in San Juan: a major and an elective. Major classes meet every morning, Monday through Friday, while electives meet three afternoons a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All classes can be chosen as either a Major or a Minor.
Electives and Workshops
Beginner Spanish Advanced Immersion Spanish Fine Art & Drawing Philosophy Photography History Wildlife Ecology Spanish Cuisine
Introduction To Spanish Language
Introduces basic language skills. Development of listening comprehension, reading, speaking, and writing skills to become proficient at the appropriate level. Spanish culture will be learned through guided speaking with natives that are introduced to develop cultural understanding and sensitivity. This class will have an emphasis on interpersonal communication with native Spanish speakers throughout the trip to fully immerse students into the language.
Advanced Immersion Spanish Language
Builds upon Introduction to Spanish Language Course.
Fine Art & Drawing
Introduces basic drawing, and painting skills, as well as continues advanced techniques based on student skill level. This course emphasizes direct observation. A variety of museum tours are included so the student can engage in studio drawing, critical evaluation of aesthetics, critique sessions and side lectures based on our Experiential Learning Method.
Philsophy
With its history rich in diversity, Puerto Rico has been responsible for the spread of unique philosophical ideals all across Latin America. Our students will study the Ancient Greeks to develop a basic understanding of concepts and ideas that have resounded throughout time and act as a foundation for most other Philosophy. From there, we will explore the works of famous Spanish philosophers, such as Gracian and Spinoza.
Photography
Introduces and expands on the exploration of digital camera function, digital image editing software and digital printing technology. This course will emphasize student's development of individual artistic voice while engaging with technological, aesthetic, and conceptual issues in their work while abroad. Students are required to supply their own Digital SLR camera for this course.
Spanish History
Students will dive into the long and varied history of Spain through a colonial lens as well as examine Puerto Rican history following the end of Spanish-colonial rule.
Spanish/Puerto Rican Cuisine
In this hands-on class, our instructor will show you how to transform local ingredients into a delicious Spanish meal. We’ll walk you through the steps for preparing tapas, empanadas, churros, and other Spanish dishes. Students will visit local Spanish markets to learn how to buy fresh and cook even fresher. While learning how to prepare Spanish dishes, students will be sampling from local restaurants to get a taste for how the native Spanish cooks prepare food.
Wildlife Ecology
In this course students will take advantage of the unique and varied wildlife found within our host country. Students accompanied by their teachers will journey throughout the local ecosystems and study local flora and fauna in a hands-on, up-close course of study. Subjects include: botany, zoology, conservation, and climate studies. **Supplemental class** This class is a workshop and will be taught based on availability while on the trip. Note: This does not count as a World Class Programs Major or Minor class.
In addition to showing you all the most celebrated cultural sites in San Juan, the program allows you to explore cities throughout Puerto Rico each weekend. This ability to explore the host country is what makes a World Class high school study abroad program unique from all the others. You will travel from the bustle of San Juan, to the quiet city of Ponce, and a visit to the famous Bahía Bioluminiscente (a bay filled with bioluminescent sea creatures!). You and your new friends will be able to explore some of the legendary sites that make Puerto Rico one of the most visited and unique places in the world.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
- Study architecture up close and hands on, and be inspired by the beauty around you
- See beyond the host city with day-trips to other cities throughout the countryside
- Learn more about Puerto Rico by interacting with local and native Spanish speakers everyday
- Explore breathtaking historical landmarks
- Make lifelong friends to share this experience with
- Sketch the fantastic Calle San Sebastián in our Fine Art and Drawing class
- Adventure through the rainforest on nature tours, zipline adventures, and more
- Practicing our conversational Spanish skills with friendly locals
- A day spent ziplining through the rainforest
- Touring the Spanish architecture in historic old San Juan
- Visiting the various other cities and experiencing all of Puerto Rico
- The “Get to Know Your Roommates” scavenger hunt throughout the city
- Taking the time to draw the Calle San Sebastián in our Fine Art class
- Snorkel, swim, and explore the ocean around the island
- Our “Night Photography” adventure activity
- Shopping with friends in our free time
- Playing a game of No Inglès (No English) while out getting coffee in our Spanish class
- Eating delicious food in local Puerto Rican restaurants