Excel Madrid/Barcelona

From the Goya and Velázquez-lined walls of the Prado Museum, to the afternoon sun of a bullfight in Madrid’s Ventas ring, to the curves and multicolored tiles of a Gaudí rooftop in Barcelona, Excel Madrid/Barcelona presents students with a special opportunity to explore the rich artistic, cultural, and historic legacies of Spain. Based in two of the Iberian Peninsula’s most dynamic cities, this program affords a unique insider’s view of Spain, while continuing the Excel tradition of preparing students for college with in-depth, field-based seminars. Whether students are intermediate or advanced Spanish speakers, or are just interested in foreign study in English as a way to get ready for college, they delve beneath the surface of legendary, fascinating Spain.

Madrid and Barcelona: In Madrid, our home is the Colegio Mayor Chaminade in the Ciu¬dad Universitaria, a short metro ride from the bustling Puerta del Sol, and the Prado, Reina Sofía, and Thyssen museums. Located in the geographical center of Spain, high on the meseta and set against the backdrop of the craggy Guadarrama mountain range, Madrid has long been a social and creative hub, and the nerve center that ties together Spain’s diverse regional communities. The invigorating mix of cultural offerings ranges from the stately 18th century Royal Palace, to what some would call its modern equivalent: Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu soccer stadium. At night the city is alive with tapas restaurants, the sound of guitars from flamenco tabernas, and the bright lights of theatre and movie house marquees.

From Madrid, the program travels by private bus to the Pyrenees, where the group stays for two days in the pristinely preserved medieval village of Castellar de N’Hug. Castellar provides a refreshing break from city life and an abundance of opportunities to interact with local people, whether it be on the cobblestone streets, in the corner cafés, or on the town soccer field. Experienced guides lead students in a variety of activities ranging from water-trekking to traditional cooking and beginner-level spelunking.

Moving on to Barcelona, the group is treated to a true cosmopolitan gem of the Mediterranean. With a distinct regional character, Barcelona is known for its unique blend of pragmatism mixed with style, flair, and civic-mindedness. Starting in the busy port, students can walk up through the cobblestone streets of the Barrio Gótico, over to the mile-long pedestrian walkway of the Ramblas, and then sit and enjoy a traditional pan amb tumaquets breakfast in the shadow of Gaudí’s famous Pedrera building on the Paseo de Gracia. The Picasso Museum, the recently opened Museum of Modern Art, Gaudí’s Sagrada Familia cathedral, and the Olympic Stadium in Montjuic all serve as invigorating city classrooms.

A Typical Day

After rising and eating breakfast with classmates and instructors, students break into their course groups for the morning. The Art through the Ages course may meet briefly in a seminar room to look at slides of the works they are about to see before setting out for the Museo Reina Sofía, the Advanced Spanish class may work on questions for a survey they will conduct later in the Plaza Mayor, and the Creative Writing class may head to a sunny café in Barcelona’s Born district to work on their latest pieces. Courses focus on in-depth exploration of Madrid, Barcelona, and the cities and villages within easy reach. Courses break for lunch, when students have the opportunity to explore some of the local restaurants and cafés on their own, then resume in the afternoon for continued exploration or discussion.

Students and staff work together to plan afternoon activities such as basketball at the Colegio Mayor with their new Spanish friends, a trip to the Fundación Miró in Barcelona, an inauguration into the wonderful world of chocolate y churros at a local chocolatería, or a frisbee game on the beach in Barcelona. The entire group gathers for a daily community meeting before dinner. Evening activities include trips to see flamenco shows or classical guitar concerts, film nights, and coffeehouses. (back to top)

Excursions

Weekend excursions provide students with the opportunity to visit some of Spain’s more remote but vital historical and cultural landmarks. While the trips change from year to year, recent excursions included marveling at the architectural wonders of Toledo and Segovia, hiking in the Pyrenees, riding in a mountain train through the Val de Nuria, and visiting Salvador Dalí’s home in Cadaqués.  (back to top)

Courses of Study

Taught by energetic, highly qualified instructors, courses at Excel Madrid/Barcelona are designed to take optimal advantage of the rich milieu of historic and modern Spain, while at the same time adhering to Excel’s standards of academic excellence, innovation, and fun. All students choose one major course and one minor course, both of which they follow throughout the program – from Madrid to Barcelona. Major courses meet three full days per week, minors meet two full days. Courses are dynamic and intensive, limited in size, and have a significant field component.

Excel Madrid/Barcelona Courses of Study
 

Major Courses

Spanish Art History: From the Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces of Velázquez and El Greco to Goya’s acclaimed 18th century tapestry cartoons and on to the revolutionary 20th century work of Picasso, Miró, and Dalí, Spain has produced some of the world’s finest art. In this field-based art history course, students explore the museums, churches, castles, monasteries, and other artistic sites of Madrid, Barcelona, and surrounding areas. On field visits and through discussion, students consider how Spain’s artistic masterpieces were understood by their original audiences, in an effort to arrive at a better understanding of the broad spectrum of Spanish art. A basic knowledge of Spanish will enhance this course greatly, but is not required. The course is taught in English, although students will have the opportunity to learn core art vocabulary in Spanish.

Creative Writing: In this intensive writing workshop, join the long tradition of American writers who’ve found their inspiration abroad. Students hone their skills by studying the fundamentals of creative writing, with a special emphasis on exploration in a foreign setting. The focus of this workshop is students’ own poetry, fiction, memoir/non-fiction, and journal writings, which are discussed in an open and constructive manner in class. Class time is spent exploring the urban and rural settings in and around Madrid and Barcelona, taking time to ponder a landscape, seek out interesting characters, or sit in a café to write and discuss literature. Short reading assignments help students address specific literary issues, and include a selection of contemporary and classical authors. Students conduct a reading of their work at the end of the program.

Drawing & Painting: Designed both for experienced artists and beginners, this course takes students out to the field to sketch with watercolor, pencil, or charcoal. Instruction in drawing techniques is complemented by frequent forays into the architectural cityscapes and world-renowned art collections of Madrid, Barcelona, and nearby historic sites. Students have the opportunity to sketch cathedrals, royal palaces, castles, markets, and cafés. Visits to some of the world’s greatest museums, including the Prado, Reina Sofía, Thyssen, Sorrolla, Picasso, and Dalí museums inspire students’ own artwork. Feedback is given through critiques during which students are encouraged to evaluate their own and each other’s work. The class shows their work in an exhibition at the end of the program. Students must provide their own art supplies.

Intermediate Spanish – Topics in Life & Culture: Designed for students with one to three years of high school Spanish, this exciting field-based course allows students to use Spain as their classroom in the quest to improve their comprehension and spoken command of the language. The limited class size allows the instructors to identify weak or underdeveloped areas in students’ knowledge while customized field exercises help students to improve in those areas. Participants also explore Spain’s exciting and dynamic contemporary cultural scene, conducting field-based inquiries into the country’s societal makeup, youth culture, film and media, music, dance, and cuisine. Students are required to speak Spanish while in class, and research an independent study topic of their choice relating to Spanish life and culture, to be presented during the last week of the program.

Advanced Spanish – Topics in Life & Culture: Designed for students with at least three years of high school Spanish or the equivalent, this language immersion seminar focuses on group and individual fieldwork, complemented by extensive, seminar-style discussions on Spanish culture, literature, history, and the contemporary scene. Through readings, films, interviews, and field visits, students get to the heart of this fascinating and diverse country. Since all discussion and most readings are in Spanish, students are expected to have advanced comprehension and speaking ability. Note that placement in Intermediate or Advanced Spanish will be determined based on assessments during the first days of the program.

Note that placement in Intermediate or Advanced Spanish will be determined based on assessments during the first days of the program.

Digital Photography: In this in-depth course, students learn to observe and capture their surroundings in ways that allow them as artists to see the world anew. Topics of discussion include the fundamental elements of photography (such as light, composition, and perspective), methods of approaching strangers, and candid versus “di¬rected” photography. Master classes by guest artists, visits to exhibitions, and structured projects and assignments mesh with students’ own interests in the creation of a portfolio for display at the end of the program. In order to best take advantage of the inspirational surroundings, emphasis is placed on field work and shooting techniques, rather than digital image manipulation. Students must provide their own digital camera with a pixel depth of at least 3 megapixels and should have experience in using it. There is a supplemental fee of $250 for this course.

Minor Courses

Spain's Architectural History: This course provides an introduction to the rich spectrum of Spanish architecture, from the Middle Ages, when besieged Christians built mysterious cave-like Romanesque churches, through the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque periods and on to the outrageous modernista creations of the early 20th century. Discussions and structured field visits enhance students’ appreciation of Spain’s great architecture, from towering Gothic edifices to Antoni Gaudí’s whimsical Sagrada Familia cathedral.

Art of the Sketch: As travelers through the ages have discovered, sketching is a way to etch permanently in one’s mind the memory of a place. It is a way to savor the travel experience, interpret it, and make it one’s own. This field-based course takes students out into the landscapes and cityscapes of Spain, pencil in hand, to record their experience through a series of sketches. This is not a technical art class, but is designed for students wishing to develop their artistic skills as well as those who simply want to add depth to their experience in Spain. Students must provide their own sketchbooks and colored or graphite pencils.

Conversational Spanish: Designed to maintain and improve existing conversational skills, this course offers a series of informal discussions, drills, and field exercises in Spanish. Students must have taken at least two years of high school Spanish or the equivalent. Note: Because of time constraints, students wishing for more significant progress in language acquisition should either take a major course in Spanish or consider Putney’s Language Learning programs in Spain, Costa Rica, or Argentina.

Advanced Spanish—Cuisine & the Culture of Food: From austere manchego cheese, to the iconographic hocks of cured ham which hang in nearly every bodega and taberna, Spain is a country rich in culinary heritage. Taught in Spanish, this course explores the food culture of the Iberian peninsula, discussing how materials, preparation, presentation, and the fusion of traditional and modern styles both reflect and influence cultural values. Excursions to markets and restaurants, discussions with chefs, farmers, and with local people, help students to a deeper understanding of the vital role of food in Spanish society. Though there may be one or two cooking classes offered during the program, the focus of this course is primarily linguistic and cultural. There is a $150 supplemental fee for this course.
 

Travel Photography—Composition and Narrative: Composition & Narrative In this course, students learn how to use their cameras as tools to explore new environments and document their experiences. Through reviewing other photographers’ work, class assignments, and critiques, students expand their understanding of photography and develop the visual and technical skills for capturing the essence of the people and places that they encounter. By the end of the course, students have created a dynamic body of work that goes beyond the typical postcard shot and photographs of travel companions. In order to best take advantage of the inspirational surroundings, emphasis is placed on field work and shooting techniques, rather than digital image manipulation. Students must provide their own digital camera with a pixel depth of at least 3 megapixels. There is a supplemental fee of $150 for this course.