Imagine yourself spending your next summer living, learning, and having fun in a city that not only looks like a place straight out of a Spanish storybook, but actually is such a place: Sevilla! As you walk down the city’s cobblestone streets, you’re seeing one enchanting sight after another, many of which provided the imagery for the settings of famous works of Spanish literature, such as Don Juan and Carmen. You’re surrounded by world-class attractions, picturesque palaces, ornate churches, fairy tale-like gardens, elegant fountains, antique street lamps, outdoor restaurants, local shops, bustling plazas, and charming old buildings clad with wrought-iron balconies.
Now imagine you’re immersing yourself in the rich culture that gave birth to Spanish literature while making new friends and enjoying your time in Spain through guided tours, Spanish cooking lessons, tapas nights, kayak adventures, and excursions to other cities! Not only that, but you’re also living in a safe and friendly environment, replete with all the comforts of home, while getting ready to succeed on the AP® Spanish Literature course, boosting your college application, and leveling up your Spanish literacy through natural language immersion and engaging, interactive classes.
Well, you don’t have to just imagine it. Our Pre-AP® Spanish Literature program in Sevilla offers high school students all of the above and more!
Well, you don’t have to just picture it. Our pre-AP® Spanish program in Seville offers high school students all of the above and more!
In Sevilla, you’ll be living in the culturally vibrant, architecturally beautiful, and historically deep-rooted capital city of Andalusia, the southern region of Spain. As the birthplace of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer and Antonio Machado, as well as the setting of Don Juan and Carmen, it’s the perfect place to gain firsthand knowledge of the culture from which Spanish literature was born! With 2,200 years of history, three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ten palaces, and numerous other attractions, Sevilla is one of Spain’s top destinations. As you walk down its narrow, cobblestone streets, you’ll find yourself surrounded by a sea of charming old buildings, outdoor restaurants, local shops, elegant fountains, antique street lamps, fragrant orange trees, flower-filled balconies, lively plazas, bustling markets, and tranquil gardens.
Situated just a three-minute walk from Centro MundoLengua’s classrooms, this historic neighborhood is full of narrow, winding, cobblestone streets that weave through an enchanting maze of tightly-packed, pre-18th-century buildings and fragrant, orange tree-dotted plazas, three of which have special significance to Spanish literature. Two of them are said to be the birthplaces of the legendary Don Juan and his fiancée, Doña Inés de Ulloa, while another one features a famous statue of Don Juan. In the plazas, you’ll also find charming little shops selling handicrafts, ceramics, tea, and other local goods. Also known as the Old Jewish Quarter, the neighborhood used to be the part of the city where Sevilla’s Jewish inhabitants lived. Today, it’s the perfect place to walk around, soak up the ambiance, and feel like you’ve stepped back in time!
Built in the late 15th century, this gorgeous palace was the birthplace of the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado. Featuring a flower-filled façade covered in beautiful bougainvillea and a fairy tale-like garden that Machado describes in one of his poems, the palace’s Renaissance-era architecture displays a striking mixture of Gothic and Moorish influences. Here, you’ll feel like you’ve almost literally stepped inside a poem!
Dating back to the 12th century, this magnificent building is the largest Gothic cathedral in the world, the burial site of Christopher Columbus, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated right in the heart of Sevilla’s historic city center, it’s just a five-minute walk from Centro MundoLengua’s classrooms. Inside, you’ll find a massive nave (or central hall) that’s lined with 80 side chapels, featuring a variety of artwork, tombs, carvings, and altarpieces.
Soaring more than 340 feet above Sevilla’s historic district, this dramatic bell tower is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks. It was originally built as a minaret near the end of the 12th century, as part of the immense mosque on which the Sevilla Cathedral was built. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city below.
Dating back to the 14th century, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is both a majestic palace and an enchanting complex of royal gardens. In the palace, you’ll see one of the world’s finest examples of Mudéjar-style architecture, which combines Moorish and Renaissance-era influences. In the gardens, you’ll stroll through a peaceful array of courtyards, fountains, pools, and paths lined with orange trees, flowers, and hedges—along with the occasional peacock!
Providing a picturesque filming location for one of the Star Wars movies, this massive, semi-circular, palace-like building is surrounded by a wide-open plaza, a spectacular fountain, and a scenic canal that is spanned by arched bridges and traversed by rowboats. Right next to the Plaza, you’ll also find Parque de María Luisa—a 100-acre park that features beautiful gardens, elegant fountains, horse-drawn carriages, and peaceful ponds that are home to a variety of birds. Here, we and our students often go on bike rides and scavenger hunts!
Built atop an underground archeological site that preserves the ruins of an ancient Roman settlement, this modern landmark is the largest wooden structure in the entire world. Because of its uncanny resemblance to a bunch of giant mushrooms, the structure is also known as Las Setas de Sevilla (the Mushrooms of Sevilla). After seeing the underground ruins, you can visit the top of the structure, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views of the surrounding city.
The above list only scratches the surface of Sevilla’s many attractions. Other highlights include the following:
If you would like to pay in installments, first click on 4 INSTALLMENT PAYMENTS and then click on APPLY.
The total will be divided in 1 deposit due today and 1 final payment. The final payment will be due 8 weeks prior to the program start date.
June 18th – July 1st, 2023
ADD A THIRD WEEK AT THE BEACHJune 18th – July 8th, 2023
July 2nd – 15th, 2023
ADD A THIRD WEEK AT THE BEACHJuly 2nd – 22nd, 2023
The total will be divided in 1 deposit due today and 4 installment payments (with one payment due each month). The final payment will be due 8 weeks prior to the program start date. In the case where it becomes impossible to make 4 installment payments due to late application, students will have to make up any missed payments.
To give you the flexibility to meet your particular needs, we leave your flight up to you. Everything else is covered and arranged by us—airport transfers to and from the nearest airport, housing, meals, Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes, activities, etc. That being said, we’d be more than happy to provide you with advice or guidance, so don’t hesitate to contact us about making travel arrangements; we can help you find the option that works best for you! To reach Sevilla, there are three main options: 1. Fly into Sevilla Airport, which has connections with major European airports in cities such as Madrid, Lisbon, and London. A representative of Centro MundoLengua will be waiting for you at the airport, and we’ll provide you with complimentary airport transfers to and from your host family’s home. 2. Fly into Jerez Airport or Malaga Airport, which are about 1 hour and 2.5 hours away from Sevilla by car or bus, respectively. For an additional fee, Centro MundoLengua can provide airport transfers to and from these airports. 3. Fly into Madrid and then take a high-speed train to Sevilla. This trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
To give you the flexibility to meet your particular needs, we leave your flight up to you. Everything else is covered and arranged by us—airport transfers to and from the nearest airport, housing, meals, Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes, activities, etc. That being said, we’d be more than happy to provide you with advice or guidance, so don’t hesitate to contact us about making travel arrangements; we can help you find the option that works best for you!
To reach Sevilla, there are three main options:
1. Fly into Sevilla Airport, which has connections with major European airports in cities such as Madrid, Lisbon, and London. A representative of Centro MundoLengua will be waiting for you at the airport, and we’ll provide you with complimentary airport transfers to and from your host family’s home.
2. Fly into Jerez Airport or Malaga Airport, which are about 1 hour and 2.5 hours away from Sevilla by car or bus, respectively. For an additional fee, Centro MundoLengua can provide airport transfers to and from these airports.
3. Fly into Madrid and then take a high-speed train to Sevilla. This trip takes about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Here’s what a typical day will look like on weekdays. (For weekend days, see the answer to the next question below.) 8:45 AM to 9:30 AM: Breakfast With Your Host Family Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked breakfast with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some classic Andalusian breakfast fare, such as tostada con tomate, aceite, y sal! 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM: Go on a Scenic Walk or Ride to Class Take advantage of Sevilla’s walkable streets or accessible public transportation system, and enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the city along the way. You’ll be sure to see some shops, restaurants, or attractions you’ll want to check out later! 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM: Attend Class Prepare for the AP® Spanish Literature course while having fun with your fellow students and teacher at the same time. Our engaging, interactive Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes run for 3 hours each day that are split over 4 classes that each last 45 minutes. 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM: Return Home Head home for lunch with your host family—perhaps poking your head into one of those shops or taking photos of that beautiful building that caught your eye on the way to class! 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Lunch With Your Host Family Share a home-cooked Spanish lunch with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some gazpacho or a “Spanish omelet” (known here as “tortilla”). The meal will vary from day to day—and don’t worry: if you have any special dietary needs, we’ll make sure they’re met! 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Enjoy Some Free Time Embrace the Spanish lifestyle by taking a siesta—or use this time to hang out with your friends, explore the city, or talk to your host family—a great chance to practice your Spanish in an authentic setting! 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Attend the Afternoon Activity Head to the meeting point for the activity and get ready to have a blast. Today, it could be a salsa lesson. Another day, it could a tour of a historic attraction. And another day, it could be a bike ride through a beautiful park. Every day is different! 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM: Enjoy Some More Free Time Enjoy another chance to relax, talk to your host family, hang out with your friends, and/or explore the city together. And don’t worry: you probably won’t have any homework to worry about; you should be able to get all of your work done in class! 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Dinner With Your Host Family Savor some more Spanish cuisine with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some paella tonight—or maybe some croquettes! This is also a great chance to talk to your host family about your day—providing you with yet another natural opportunity to practice your Spanish in an authentic setting! 10:00 PM to 00:00 AM: Attend the Nighttime Activity Unwind from your adventure-filled day and have some fun with your friends from the program. Tonight, it could be a concert, a dance, or a dinner. Another time, it could be a tapas or movie night. Some of these activities are optional, so if you want to just go home and chill, you’ll have a chance to do that too!
Here’s what a typical day will look like on weekdays. (For weekend days, see the answer to the next question below.)
8:45 AM to 9:30 AM: Breakfast With Your Host Family Enjoy a delicious, home-cooked breakfast with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some classic Andalusian breakfast fare, such as tostada con tomate, aceite, y sal!
9:30 AM to 10:00 AM: Go on a Scenic Walk or Ride to Class Take advantage of Sevilla’s walkable streets or accessible public transportation system, and enjoy all of the sights and sounds of the city along the way. You’ll be sure to see some shops, restaurants, or attractions you’ll want to check out later!
10:00 AM to 1:30 PM: Attend Class Prepare for the AP® Spanish Literature course while having fun with your fellow students and teacher at the same time. Our engaging, interactive Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes run for 3 hours each day that are split over 4 classes that each last 45 minutes.
1:30 PM to 2:00 PM: Return Home Head home for lunch with your host family—perhaps poking your head into one of those shops or taking photos of that beautiful building that caught your eye on the way to class!
2:00 PM to 3:00 PM: Lunch With Your Host Family Share a home-cooked Spanish lunch with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some gazpacho or a “Spanish omelet” (known here as “tortilla”). The meal will vary from day to day—and don’t worry: if you have any special dietary needs, we’ll make sure they’re met!
3:00 PM to 4:30 PM: Enjoy Some Free Time Embrace the Spanish lifestyle by taking a siesta—or use this time to hang out with your friends, explore the city, or talk to your host family—a great chance to practice your Spanish in an authentic setting!
4:30 PM to 6:30 PM: Attend the Afternoon Activity Head to the meeting point for the activity and get ready to have a blast. Today, it could be a salsa lesson. Another day, it could a tour of a historic attraction. And another day, it could be a bike ride through a beautiful park. Every day is different!
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM: Enjoy Some More Free Time Enjoy another chance to relax, talk to your host family, hang out with your friends, and/or explore the city together. And don’t worry: you probably won’t have any homework to worry about; you should be able to get all of your work done in class!
9:00 PM to 10:00 PM: Dinner With Your Host Family Savor some more Spanish cuisine with your host family. Perhaps you’ll have some paella tonight—or maybe some croquettes! This is also a great chance to talk to your host family about your day—providing you with yet another natural opportunity to practice your Spanish in an authentic setting!
10:00 PM to 00:00 AM: Attend the Nighttime Activity Unwind from your adventure-filled day and have some fun with your friends from the program. Tonight, it could be a concert, a dance, or a dinner. Another time, it could be a tapas or movie night. Some of these activities are optional, so if you want to just go home and chill, you’ll have a chance to do that too!
On the weekend, you’ll go on organized, daylong trips to a pair of fantastic destinations in Spain and Portugal. Transportation, meals, adult guidance, and tours are included, so you’ll be able to enjoy hassle-free, worry-free travel. Here are the destinations: Tarifa, Spain: A charming beach town that is situated on the southernmost point of Continental Europe, just 8.6 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from the shores of Morocco—the intervening waters providing a habitat to many whales and dolphins, while the coastal waters attract windsurfers from all around the world. Cádiz, Spain: Dating back more than 3,000 years, this is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in all of Western Europe. Here, you’ll get to start the day by touring the city, where you’ll find beautiful architecture, fantastic food markets, and historic attractions such as the Cádiz Cathedral and the Tavira Tower, which houses a camera obscura and provides amazing views of the city. Then, you’ll get to visit one of the city’s golden-sand beaches, where you can swim, relax, or play sports with your friends from the program. Tavira, Portugal: Situated in the country’s scenic Algarve region, this riverside town will provide you with a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life. First, you’ll go on a walking tour down narrow, cobblestone streets that wind through small, whitewashed buildings with tiled roofs, which are punctuated by the remnants of the town’s Moorish past, along with 37 churches, one of which dates back to the 13th century. Then, you’ll get to kick back and relax at the nearby beach, where you’ll find soft golden sand and calm seawater.
On the weekend, you’ll go on organized, daylong trips to a pair of fantastic destinations in Spain and Portugal. Transportation, meals, adult guidance, and tours are included, so you’ll be able to enjoy hassle-free, worry-free travel. Here are the destinations:
Tarifa, Spain: A charming beach town that is situated on the southernmost point of Continental Europe, just 8.6 miles across the Strait of Gibraltar from the shores of Morocco—the intervening waters providing a habitat to many whales and dolphins, while the coastal waters attract windsurfers from all around the world.
Cádiz, Spain: Dating back more than 3,000 years, this is the oldest continuously-inhabited city in all of Western Europe. Here, you’ll get to start the day by touring the city, where you’ll find beautiful architecture, fantastic food markets, and historic attractions such as the Cádiz Cathedral and the Tavira Tower, which houses a camera obscura and provides amazing views of the city.
Then, you’ll get to visit one of the city’s golden-sand beaches, where you can swim, relax, or play sports with your friends from the program.
Tavira, Portugal: Situated in the country’s scenic Algarve region, this riverside town will provide you with a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle of modern life. First, you’ll go on a walking tour down narrow, cobblestone streets that wind through small, whitewashed buildings with tiled roofs, which are punctuated by the remnants of the town’s Moorish past, along with 37 churches, one of which dates back to the 13th century. Then, you’ll get to kick back and relax at the nearby beach, where you’ll find soft golden sand and calm seawater.
With our Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes, you’ll be able to sharpen your understanding of Spanish literature, prepare for success on the AP® Spanish Literature course, and have fun with fellow high school students at the same time. Here are some of the key features and benefits of the program’s classes: An opportunity to gain a head start on the AP® Spanish Literature course by covering several of the required readings in advance. An overall emphasis on learning the essential techniques for analyzing Spanish literature, the fundamental vocabulary for understanding Spanish literature, and the foundational skills for writing about Spanish literature. A practical focus on putting those techniques, skills, and vocabulary to use by engaging with some of the greatest works of Spanish literature—right in the best place to study them: Spain itself! A dynamic, interactive approach to classroom learning, combined with a curriculum that’s tailored to the specific needs of current and future AP® Spanish Literature students. 3 hours of class time per day (Monday through Friday) split between 4 classes lasting 45 minutes, plus a half-hour break. A small class size: 12 to 15 students max. A friendly, experienced teacher who is a native Spanish speaker and is deeply familiar with the AP® Spanish Literature course. Little or no homework; you should be able to complete most, if not all, of your work in class!
With our Pre-AP® Spanish Literature classes, you’ll be able to sharpen your understanding of Spanish literature, prepare for success on the AP® Spanish Literature course, and have fun with fellow high school students at the same time. Here are some of the key features and benefits of the program’s classes:
Living with s Spanish host family is like home away from home—with a few added benefits: enjoying homemade Spanish meals, making new friends, and practicing your Spanish in a natural, real-life setting! Your host family will live in a middle-class home (most likely an apartment), where you will find all of the standard amenities of modern life. You will probably share a bedroom with a friend or another student from the study abroad program. You will also probably share a bathroom (European homes tend to have fewer bathrooms than those in the US, Canada, and Asia). All meals are included with your stay. Special dietary needs can be met; all you need to do is inform us about them in advance. On top of meals, your host family will also take care of your laundry! Like families everywhere, each of our host families is different, so it’s difficult to generalize about them. For example, some have children and/or pets; others do not. However, you can rest assured that each of our host families has been carefully selected by our housing staff, and each of their homes has been personally visited by our housing director to make sure it will provide you with a comfortable, enjoyable place to live, relax, dine, and gain first-hand experience of Spanish culture and hospitality. We maintain a network of host families with whom we have worked for many years. Therefore, it is not like we will accommodate you with some random family. You can feel confident that you will be in good hands! If you need any assistance during your stay, our housing team will be available to provide support.
On your summer abroad adventure to Spain, you will join many other international high school students who are planning on taking or are currently taking the AP® Spanish course. You will meet an interesting mix of people. Some of them will be coming to Sevilla alone; others might be coming with a friend or two. Either way, be sure that you will make some lasting friendships!
You will have at least 3.5 hours per day—sometimes up to 6. It will depend on which activity we have organized, how much time you have to factor in for travel time, and whether you are attending the nighttime activity, which will sometimes be optional.
You will have 24/7 adult supervision and support while you attend our program. That being said, the word “supervision” makes it sound kind of oppressive, and that is not what it is like at all. We are here just to keep you safe, make sure you have a good time, and help you out if you need any assistance, not to breathe down your neck! Thanks to our extensive, experienced, and knowledgeable network of teachers, directors, coordinators, and host families, you will feel very well-supported during your time with us here in Spain. Every day, there will be someone to check in with you and make sure you are okay during your classes, activities, and excursions (all of which are adult-led), and you will be able to contact someone from our staff for assistance 24/7.
Pre-AP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the development and delivery of this professional development. College Board, AP®, Advanced Placement®, Advanced Placement Program®, AP® Vertical Teams, Pre-AP® and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board. Used with permission.
