Spain Language Immersion Trip: Student Application July 2-July 28 ...
Spain Language Immersion Trip: Student Application July 2-July 28, 2017 (approximate) Poly Prep Country Day School APPLICATION DEADLINE: Wednesday, November 9 Program Description: Entering its sixth year, the Poly Prep trip to northern Spain provides students with an opportunity for language immersion in San Sebastian, a small city that borders the Bay of Biscay. Student travelers delve into the Spanish language and culture of the Basque country for the month of July. Their experience includes a month-long homestay with a local family, daily language classes with international students at Lacunza Language School, engagement in local eating traditions, and participation in frequent cultural excursions. In past years, students played beach volleyball and surfed; they tasted the flavors of Spain at gelaterias and cafes; they visited fishing villages, medieval castles, and the incomparable Guggenheim Bilbao. Students have remarked in amazement at how this program has led to major gains in Spanish language proficiency while also being lots of fun! A typical day includes: • Spanish language study at Lacunza International School from 9 am to 2 pm; breaks provided for snack • A full Spanish style lunch as a group, with chaperones at Urtxori-Bi restaurant • M/W/F activities, such as: o Hiking, surfing, beach volleyball, salsa dancing, o Visits to the aquarium, local museums, and scenic sites such as San Juan Donibane, o Visits to restaurants to try hot chocolate and churros, and the local appetizers: pintxos • Tuesday - Journaling in Spanish on Basque history based on observation, conversation and the reading of Mark Kurlansky's Basque History of the World. • Thursday - Science class offered by Poly science faculty member, Ms. Pabon, including: o Exploration of the unique flora, fauna, and climate of northern Spain which, includes a scavenger hunt and field identification of common species that are novel to our students o Geology study of the 100 million year old flysch (sedimentary rock) which can be found at the nearby town of Zumaia on the northern coast of Spain. o Investigation of local geography on nearby Mount Urugal, La Zurriola & La Concha beach • Saturdays – full day visits to sites such as: o Guggenheim Bilbao; o France: Biarritz and ST. Jean de Luz; o Capitol of Basque Country: Vitoria; o Medieval fishing villages: Zarautz and Getaria; o Medieval castle town of Hondarribia; Guernica; o Bayonne, France. Eligibility: The trip is limited to 20 students through an application process, and we will consider students currently in grades 8-11. Students who are chosen to go on the trip must demonstrate: • Personal maturity and open-mindedness; • Capacity to work effectively with other, with an emphasis on cooperation and respect for the goals of the group as a whole; • Ability to actively listen and follow directions; • Adaptability and flexibility; and • The desire to understand the culture of Spain, and the Basque country, through immersion, rather than just observation.
If selected travelers wish to complete their community service requirement while traveling, they may participate in a Basque history project before, during and after the trip. This project will be completed in Spanish.
Please note – all participants must commit to the full length of the program. Also, for both the safety of students and chaperones and the cohesiveness of the group, all students must travel to and from Spain on the same flights and with the trip’s chaperones. There are no exceptions. Fees and Financial Aid: The trip to Spain will cost between $5600 and $6100 with a check deposit of $1000.00 due by the application deadline of Wednesday, November 9. Checks should be made out to Poly Prep and must be turned in with applications to Ms. Catharine. Deposits are non-refundable for students who are accepted to travel; however, if you are not chosen for the trip, or if Poly is unable to meet your financial aid requirements, then your deposit check will be returned. The cost of the trip will be finalized once we are certain of how many students will participate. It is of the utmost importance to the Poly community that all interested travelers apply to participate. There is a limited amount of financial aid available for student travelers, and we will do our best to offer the financial assistance you may require, acknowledging that there is no guarantee of our ability to assist all applicants. Please note the following: ● The deadline to request financial assistance is Friday, November 4, 2016 ● If you plan to request financial aid, your parent(s) must e-mail Carrie Quigley, Director of External Learning, at [email protected] by November 4, 2016. ● Priority for financial aid distribution on all trips will be given to students in need who have not previously received financial assistance to travel internationally with Poly Prep. Financial aid is not available for current seniors. Application Steps (all due below with deposit to Ms. Catharine by Wednesday, 11/9): Personal Statement: In a two page essay, please tell us something about yourself and your interest in foreign languages and international travel. How would you or your friends describe you? Reference Letters: Please provide two letters of reference from Poly teachers who know you well. Your letters should describe who you are as a student, and as a member of the community, with particular reference to your moral character, good citizenship and your flexibility and adaptability. Your references should also suggest how you might contribute to our group experience. Interview: Please plan to meet and have a short conversation with Ms. Catharine. Deposit: Please enclose a check made out to Poly Prep Country Day School in the amount of $1,000.00. Students applying for financial aid must still submit a trip deposit to demonstrate commitment; the amount of the deposit may be determined by the family and will be refunded if Poly Prep is unable to meet your financial requirements. Questions? Please contact the trip co-leader, Ms. Dana Catharine, at [email protected].
If selected travelers wish to complete their community service requirement while traveling, they may participate in a Basque history project before, during and after the trip. This project will be completed in Spanish.
Please note – all participants must commit to the full length of the program. Also, for both the safety of students and chaperones and the cohesiveness of the group, all students must travel to and from Spain on the same flights and with the trip’s chaperones. There are no exceptions. Fees and Financial Aid: The trip to Spain will cost between $5600 and $6100 with a check deposit of $1000.00 due by the application deadline of Wednesday, November 9. Checks should be made out to Poly Prep and must be turned in with applications to Ms. Catharine. Deposits are non-refundable for students who are accepted to travel; however, if you are not chosen for the trip, or if Poly is unable to meet your financial aid requirements, then your deposit check will be returned. The cost of the trip will be finalized once we are certain of how many students will participate. It is of the utmost importance to the Poly community that all interested travelers apply to participate. There is a limited amount of financial aid available for student travelers, and we will do our best to offer the financial assistance you may require, acknowledging that there is no guarantee of our ability to assist all applicants. Please note the following: ● The deadline to request financial assistance is Friday, November 4, 2016 ● If you plan to request financial aid, your parent(s) must e-mail Carrie Quigley, Director of External Learning, at [email protected] by November 4, 2016. ● Priority for financial aid distribution on all trips will be given to students in need who have not previously received financial assistance to travel internationally with Poly Prep. Financial aid is not available for current seniors. Application Steps (all due below with deposit to Ms. Catharine by Wednesday, 11/9): Personal Statement: In a two page essay, please tell us something about yourself and your interest in foreign languages and international travel. How would you or your friends describe you? Reference Letters: Please provide two letters of reference from Poly teachers who know you well. Your letters should describe who you are as a student, and as a member of the community, with particular reference to your moral character, good citizenship and your flexibility and adaptability. Your references should also suggest how you might contribute to our group experience. Interview: Please plan to meet and have a short conversation with Ms. Catharine. Deposit: Please enclose a check made out to Poly Prep Country Day School in the amount of $1,000.00. Students applying for financial aid must still submit a trip deposit to demonstrate commitment; the amount of the deposit may be determined by the family and will be refunded if Poly Prep is unable to meet your financial requirements. Questions? Please contact the trip co-leader, Ms. Dana Catharine, at [email protected].
