Dates
June 27* - July 23, 2027
*Escorted flight departs NYC on June 26
Program Fee
$8,295 + airfare
Housing
Homestay
Grades
Completing 9-12
BROCHURE
Get the 2027 Program Brochure
Download your complete guide to Athena Spain.
Spanish Immersion Summer Program in Spain
Athena Spain is an authentic Spanish language immersion experience for high school students ready to improve their Spanish by going beyond tourism. Our summer program takes place in specially chosen locations in Andalusia for a highly personalized language and cultural immersion experience. Participants acquire an in depth, unfiltered understanding of the Spanish language and culture by being completely integrated into Spanish life. Students return home with a true sense of global citizenship that lasts a lifetime.
The program combines a four-week homestay experience with dynamic language instruction, daily activities and weekend excursions throughout Andalusia. Students learn to increase fluency and communicate effectively and form special relationships with host families and new Spanish friends.
Designed for students with at least two years of high school Spanish the program attracts students with a sense of adventure and genuine interest in cultural exchange and language acquisition. Our longstanding relationships with families, teachers, artists, and local experts, enable us to offer students a personalized experience. Small group size ensures each student receives a high level of personal attention. We provide a safe, supportive environment where language learning comes alive and where students can enjoy some independence to make their own discoveries.
LOCATION
Conil de la Frontera, located twenty miles south of Cádiz and fifty miles south of Seville, is a picturesque Spanish coastal town with whitewashed houses, endless blue skies and many outdoor cafés. Conil’s population of twenty thousand doubles in the summer when Spanish families spend their vacation here, on the Atlantic coast. Conil is a popular and authentic summer destination that we have chosen for its charm accessibility and beauty, making it the perfect place to perfect your Spanish.
Conil embodies that particular pace of life characteristic of much of the south of Spain, where nobody is ever in a hurry and things will always get done, “sooner or later.” Its people are very friendly and eager to help, and because it is a small community where most people know each other, everyone will welcome you. Day or evening, the beach is the center of activity and Conil boasts over ten miles of spectacular sandy waterfront where you can socialize with your Spanish friends while swimming, playing beach volleyball or hanging out at a beach café.
Program Itinerary
- JUNE 26 Depart from NYC
- JUNE 27 Arrive at Madrid – Student Orientation
- JUNE 28 Transfer to Conil
- JUNE 30 Placement Test – First Day of Classes
- JULY 04 Biking & Kayaking Trip
- JULY 08 Cadiz
- JULY 10 Sevilla
- JULY 11 Cordoba
- JULY 15 Virgen del Carmen Fete
- JULY 17 Gibraltar
- JULY 22 Depart Conil for Madrid
- JULY 23 Depart Spain
HOMESTAY
Athena strongly believes that there is no better way to improve language skills and integrate yourself fully into Spanish life than by living with a carefully selected family. The homestay is the foundation of the Athena model. We know from experience that the homestay component is vital in helping students to see and understand Spain on a deeper level and explore the nuances that lead to greater fluency. Conversations and interactions with host families and friendships that are formed are what differentiates our program and truly make it unique.
Homestay Families
Our experienced local representatives have placed students with families over almost three decades and are natives of the towns in which they live. They ensure an excellent match between family and student, with many host families returning year after year. You will be treated as a member of the family, eat your meals together and experience a level of cultural and linguistic immersion that goes far beyond the limits of tourism. It is a testament to the strength of the program that Spanish families and their students often keep in touch long after the program has ended. Unless they request otherwise, students are placed individually with families, so that they can fully enjoy the benefits of language and cultural immersion.
Facilities
Classes take place at specially hired private schools and students have access to the same classrooms and facilities available to Spanish students during the year. Equipped with ample class space, teacher and student lounges, students will have all they need to have a successful summer improving their Spanish.
Dining
As part of the homestay program, students eat their meals with their homestay families. They will see first-hand how traditional Spanish meals are prepared and cooked, and get a chance to try some Spanish classics: tortilla española, gazpacho, bocadillos de jamon and more. Your homestay family will make effort to ensure that you are comfortable and try to accommodate any dietary needs, but please discuss any restrictions or preferences with Athena staff before attending.
Language Study
Workshops
Activities
Excursions
Sevilla, Córdoba, Beaches, Gibraltar.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Athena Spain?
Athena Spain is a four-week Spanish language immersion experience designed for high school students in grades 9-12. The program combines a homestay experience, dynamic language instruction, daily activities, and weekend excursions throughout Andalusia. By living with host families and engaging in authentic Spanish life, students improve their language skills and gain a deep, unfiltered understanding of Spanish culture. The program is ideal for adventurous students who are passionate about language acquisition and cultural exchange.
Who is this program for?
Athena Spain is designed for high school students in grades 9-12 who have completed at least two years of Spanish, or the equivalent, and are ready for an immersive experience.
The program attracts students with a genuine interest in improving their language skills and engaging with Spanish culture through meaningful interactions with host families and local communities.
What is the living situation like?
Students stay with carefully selected Spanish host families in the coastal town of Conil de la Frontera.
These families are personally known and selected by the program director and have been welcoming students for nearly three decades. Students are treated as members of the family, sharing meals and daily life. Before placement, each student will have a phone conversation with the program director to ensure a good match. In the rare event that a placement doesn’t work out, we will quickly arrange for the student to live with a new family.
What are the Spanish language classes like?
Athena Spain offers daily Spanish classes five days a week, from 10:00 am to 1:30 pm, with instruction designed to improve vocabulary, grammar, and fluency.
The curriculum incorporates classroom lectures, audio materials, workbook exercises, and “real-life” language practice. Students also maintain a Spanish diary and prepare a final oral presentation.
Classes are taught at different levels to accommodate intermediate and advanced students, and placements are determined by a test on the first day.
What workshops and activities are available?
Athena Spain offers specialized workshops twice a week, including:
- Spanish Cooking: Learn how to prepare traditional Spanish dishes in a hands-on environment.
- Flamenco Dance: Discover the rich cultural heritage of southern Spain through its traditional dance.
- Surfing: Enjoy surfing lessons on the Atlantic coast, suitable for all skill levels.
- Community Service: Engage in local service projects and give back to the community.
Daily activities include swimming, soccer, tennis, kayaking, food tastings, beach volleyball, and more, ensuring students make the most of their time in Conil.
What excursions are included?
On weekends, students will explore some of Spain’s most iconic destinations, including:
- Madrid: Visit famous sites like the Prado Museum and the Palacio Real.
- Sevilla: Discover La Catedral, La Giralda, and enjoy a flamenco show.
- Córdoba: Marvel at the breathtaking La Mezquita.
- Gibraltar: Take in the stunning views of Africa and meet the famous monkeys.
- Cádiz: Spend time on beautiful Atlantic beaches and explore the historic city.
Is there a language proficiency requirement?
Yes, participants must have completed at least two years of high school Spanish, or the equivalent. Since the host families do not speak English, this immersion experience is designed to help students improve their Spanish through daily interactions with their families and the local community.
What is included in the program cost?
The program fee covers:
- Homestay accommodations with a Spanish family
- Daily language instruction
- All cultural excursions and activities
- Three meals per day
- In country transfers
- 24/7 support from local staff
Airfare is not included in the program fee, so students are responsible for their travel to and from Spain. Athena has an escorted flight out of New York JFK.
Will I have free time?
Yes! While the program includes structured classes and activities, students will have free time to relax, explore Conil, and spend time with their host families and new friends. The beach is often a central place for socializing, and Conil offers plenty of outdoor cafés and spots to unwind.
How can I register for the program?
Students can register for Athena Spain by completing a registration form in the online portal.
Afterward, a teacher recommendation and a homestay questionnaire will be required.
Once we receive the homestay questionnaire, we will schedule a casual phone conversation to get to know the student better and ensure the best possible match with a host family.
Next Steps
Athena Spain is directed by Marta Ramos. If you have questions or would like to learn more about what makes Athena Spain different, please reach out.
