Project Location/Destination: Out of town - Barcelona, Spain
Faculty Leaders: Ernesto Cruz & Lucie Wright
Dates: Saturday, March 11 - Monday, March 20 (Please note project begins on Saturday, March 11 ends on Monday, March 20)
Cost: $3040
Special Considerations:
See below.
Objective
The goal is to introduce students to Catalan art, history and culture. However, we will also be taking this opportunity to get students to look up, and out of the digital frame that colors their lives. We want students to see culture not just through their own eyes, but from the street up. We want students to practice being present to allow them to see things from multiple perspectives.
Description
Barcelona is one of the great cities of the world. Founded by the Romans over 2000 years ago, it has reinvented itself successfully with each passing era. We will get to know this ancient city – its past and present – from the ground up. We will walk over six miles a day and, when we're not walking, we'll take Barcelona's public transportation system. We will see art and architecture by some of the masters of their craft – Miro, Gaudi, Picasso, etc; as well as the works of Pez, Haring, and Konair street artists past and present who’ve brightened the walls and persianas of the Barri Gotic and Raval districts. We will eat like locals and learn to navigate the labyrinth of passageways that make up Barcelona's neighborhoods. We'll also find time to visit the great cathedral of the Beautiful Game – Camp Nou.
The bulk of the project will be to slow down and look up. What can we learn about this city's rich history – and our shared humanity – when we take the time to observe the small details of urban living? The way finials finish otherwise nondescript buildings, how locals open and close windows to make warm or cold spaces more pleasant, how small green spaces make otherwise dense concrete environments more human. Over the course of the trip, students will contribute pictures to a photo essay to capture the ordinary details of Barcelona that make it such an extraordinary place.
A few notes – Catalan/Spanish cuisine is incredibly pork-centric. While vegetarians can and do live in Barcelona, understand that at times our vegetarian options are going to be very limited. So those with restricted diets need to know this going in. We will do our best to accommodate all dietary restrictions, but the pickings may get a little slim.
Student Requirements and Expectations
As a member of the EU, there are no visa requirements. Students just need to have a valid passport that doesn’t expire before September 2023.
As students will be required to contribute at least 10 pictures to a photo essay we will produce about the small details of Barcelona they will need to have a camera to take pictures with (phones included).
We’re also going to walk a lot. So students should be prepared to walk more than six miles each day in sturdy, closed-toed shoes. Finally, while this trip is open to all regardless of dietary restrictions, options can get limited for vegetarians.
Passport information
The passport application and renewal processes have change dramatically since pre-COVID. If you do not have a passport or it is about to expire, please take care of this immediately if you are assigned to this project.
Students who have a valid, non-US passport, should see their project leaders as soon as possible because travel guidelines may be different for them than for US citizens.
About the Faculty
Mr. Cruz has taken students on a version of this trip three times in the last 9 years and is looking forward to reinventing it with a new travel partner. He’s learned a lot about this city and is eager to share it with a new group of Latin students.
Ms. L has visited Barcelona several times and is excited to return to the city to share this experience with students.
Special Considerations
Accommodation considerations - Students will be expected to sleep in shared accommodations.
COVID related information - Some venues may require proof of COVID vaccination or negative test. Students are encouraged to travel with this information and provide it, if required. Please contact the project leaders or School Nurse with any questions or concerns.
Expectation for physical activity - This project will require a significant amount of physical exertion and possibly some physical discomfort. Students on this project should be willing to deal with discomfort, at times, in inclement weather. Students are expected to be able to participate fully in all these daily activities.
Food limitations and allergies - Students with food allergies and food sensitivities should understand that there may be times that food options will be limited. In addition, there may be cross contamination risk of allergens, as there will be times where outside food vendors will prepare our meals. Please contact the project leaders or the school nurse with any questions or concerns.
Passport Requirement - Students must have a valid passport that expires more than six months upon return.
Scheduling (Out-of-Town) - This project will have time commitment outside of the M-F (8-4) typical school week. Please note that there is an expectation that students are able to attend the whole time the project is running.
Sensitive Topics - Students will be exposed to sensitive topics.
Supervision during the day - Students might be unsupervised for short periods of time during the course of the day.
Supervision while sleeping - Students might be unsupervised for extended periods of time during sleeping hours (hotel, hostels, etc.).
Transportation considerations: Public Transportation - Students will take public transportation with faculty.
Transportation considerations: Not meeting at Latin: Students may meet faculty leaders or be dismissed from a location other than Latin.