Summer Programs NMH Summer Session

Spain Summer Abroad

FOR STUDENTS ENTERING GRADES 9 to 12
JUNE 22 to JULY 24, 2009
$6,500.00

Madrid became the capital of Spain in 1561. Compared to other European cities at the time, Madrid was quite provincial, with unpaved streets and no port. Now, the capital is an economic power and boasts a booming tourist industry. Madrid’s museums, plazas, shopping centers, restaurants and cafes, parks and streets are constantly filled with people. A visit to Madrid is unforgettable. 

The primary objective of this program is to assist students with their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills in Spanish. Emphasis is placed on communication, which means that considerable time is dedicated to pronunciation and vocabulary development. 

The first few days of the program are spent on the NMH campus, where, in addition to beginning their language study, students are introduced to Spanish culture and to the history of Madrid. During the four weeks in Spain, students and group leaders reside at Enforex, one of Madrid’s leading language academies, and spend five hours a day, five days a week, in intensive classes. As important as the lessons in the classroom are, we want our students to understand that learning a language is an instrumental step in learning a culture. Thus, afternoon and evening activities are geared toward developing an appreciation for Spanish culture and also take into account the interests of the students. These activities may include museum visits, a trip to a soccer match or a bull fight, a tour of the Royal Palace, or a night at the movies.

Madrid’s central location makes it the ideal place from which to explore other areas of Spain. During the first two weekends, participants take day trips to smaller cities to learn about St. Teresa and Ávila, Cuenca’s famous hanging houses, the first-century Roman aqueduct in Segovia, and Toledo’s rich history as the first capital of the Iberian Peninsula. The third weekend features an overnight trip to Seville, one of Andalucía’s prized cities. Students climb to the top of La Giralda, the bell tower of Seville’s famous cathedral, for a magnificent view of the city and also take a tour through the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza, the most respected of Spain’s bull rings. The group visits the grounds of the 1992 World Expo and later relaxes near the fountain in the beautiful Plaza de España. 

The program is led by Megan Gibbons. Before moving to Madrid in 2004, Megan taught Spanish at Suffield Academy in Connecticut. She currently teaches Spanish at Boston University, where she is pursuing a PhD in Spanish literature. This is Megan’s fourth summer with NMH. She is assisted by Peter Mahoney. Peter holds a master’s degree in Spanish literature from Boston University and has many years of teaching experience.