Arcadia Spain

Are you ready for an amazing semester in Granada?  We are looking forward to it! Our program in Granada would not be complete without all the events and activities that we are planning for you.  It is our goal to offer a diverse set of options that will help you better understand and enjoy the Spanish culture while having fun and discovering new places and experiences.  Do you like the beach?  Cooking, hiking, historical tours, flamenco, art?  We have it all!

All the activities offered below are included in your program fee, with no extra cost (unless otherwise noted).

Please register in Portal to confirm your attendance for the Semester Activities; you will be asked to confirm your registration once in Spain. 

Please remember that all activities are subject to change.  Keep checking your email, Portal, and the Arcadia Granada Calendar for updates.

ORIENTATION ACTIVITIES

*There is no need to register in Portal for these activities, as they are included in your orientation. 

CITY TOUR AND WELCOME DINNER

On your first night in Spain, we want you to meet the rest of the group and start discovering the city that you will soon call home. We will give you a brief tour of downtown Granada before dinner. We will also treat you to dessert in the best-known ice-cream place in town!

SCAVENGER HUNT

During orientation, we will have a Scavenger Hunt through the city. This is a fun way to discover Granada and its key locations: post office, police station, clinics, supermarkets, CLM meeting points, etc. The first group to find all the places, answer the questions, and arrive at the meeting point will win a prize.

Relaxing afternoon: Tea Rooms

You will experience the traditional, Arab-style tea rooms in the lower Albaicín. You can enjoy a selection of herbal infusions and traditional Moorish pastries in a relaxing atmosphere with a unique view of the Alhambra and the old town.  

CHOCOLATE CON CHURROS AND TAPAS

You will probably spend the whole semester discovering the local gastronomy and free tapas. You will learn about chocolate con churros, and how churros are made, before tasting them.

panoramic tour and PiCnic lunch ‘with a view’

We will take a local bus to the highest point of the city (San Miguel Alto), have a picnic lunch or snacks while enjoying the stunning views, and then walk back (downhill) to the city through the old Sacromonte neighborhood.

SEMESTER ACTIVITIES

*Please register for these activities in Portal if you would like to participate in them. 

Tapas TOUR

Early in the semester you will discover Granada’s best-known secret: each time you order a drink, you get some free food! We will show you the best tapas areas around town, and challenge you to find your own favorite places.

Note: we will be adept to our students' dietary needs in each location

Flamenco Show

Attend a traditional flamenco show at one of the caves in the lower Albaicín, enjoy and experience the intensity and emotion of different flamenco styles (such as flamenco, tango, bulería, guajira, or alegría) in an amazing atmosphere.

Note: this show will include some loud noises and music

Cooking class

Arcadia wants their students discover the local culture first-hand, including Spanish gastronomy, and we think the best way is to see and experience it themselves: with the help of a reputable local chef, you will get to cook paella or some other traditional Spanish dish, and then taste it!

Note: we will adapt the menu to our students' dietary needs

LANGUAGE EXCHANGE

Would you like to learn Spanish, meet local people, and have some tapas? We will take you to some famous places in Granada where you can have fun and meet some Spanish people and students from other countries. This will help you get immersed in our language and culture. Students always describe this activity as unique and necessary!

Note: speaking Spanish is not a requirement since the aim of this event is to help you learn the language and meet other people! 

HIKING Trip IN SIERRA NEVADA

We will do a hiking trip in the Sierra Nevada National Park. The hike (medium difficulty) will take us through a unique landscape, the spectacular local countryside, and the views of the city (with any luck, we will get to see Africa), within the Sierra Nevada National Park. After the hike, we will treat you to a traditional lunch at a local restaurant.

Note: this event involves walking for a few hours in a mountainous area with many hills and slopes. This is a moderate-high level hike and temperatures are lower than in Granada. 

Trip to the Tropical Coast

We will spend a day traveling through the coast of Granada and Málaga, and discovering its different characteristics: the tropical climate on the coast of Granada, which allows for mango, guava, papaya, and avocado crops; the mountainous town of Frigiliana, and the old fishing village of Nerja in Málaga, with 9 miles of clear-water, sandy beaches. We will enjoy some time sunbathing and then taste their famous fish paella at Playa Burriana.

Note: this event will involve walking for a few hours on uneven paths and streets. 

LORCA’S LEGACY tour: Huerta de San Vicente & Lorca's Cultural Center  

Did you know that Federico García Lorca was from a little town near Granada? Have you ever read his famous works, like "Blood Wedding" or "Poet in New York"? This semester, we will visit the old family residence located in Granada and the museum dedicated to this poet and writer. You will have to read his last play ('The House of Bernarda Alba') for the Arcadia cornerstone course, so this event will be interesting if you want to learn some more things about this author, Spanish society, and how women used to live in rural Spain before the Spanish Civil War. 

Note: this event involves walking for a few hours

WORKSHOP: TASTING LOCAL PRODUCTS

You will have the chance to participate in an olive oil and wine tasting activity, so prepare your senses for an amazing and delicious experience! We will try some local products and learn about the importance of olive oil and wine in the Spanish culture. Have fun while learning about olive oil, wine, food, and traditions.

Note: this event will involve tasting local products; allergies and intolerances will be considered. 

TRIP to MADRID AND Toledo

During the semester, we will travel to Madrid, the capital city of Spain, to learn about history, politics, art, and gastronomy. The trip includes a visit to the famous Prado Museum, and other major sites in the city. On our way to Granada, we will visit the medieval city of Toledo. During the walking tour, you will be amazed by a stunning medieval city full of history and charm. You will also have some free time to explore on your own.

Note: this is a three-day trip that will involve sustained periods of walking (hills, slopes, etc.). 

TRIP to ROME

Embark on a captivating three-day educational excursion in Rome, designed to delve into the city’s rich history. You will explore the magnificence of the Roman Empire, the dark chapters of the Fascist Era and the impact that contemporary phenomena like immigration and cultural heritage management have on the city. Students will have the opportunity to reflect on how a modern state engages with its past and how newcomers, like immigrants, adapt and perceive it. Moreover, you will be sharing a long weekend in the Eternal City with other Arcadia participants studying in different locations in Italy.

Day 1 - Ancient Rome - Explore the political and social heart of ancient Rome with a guided visit to the Palatine Hill and the Roman Villas underneath the ground. Discuss governance and public life in the Roman Empire and examine symbols of power and submission that persist in the city today. 

Day 2 - EUR district - Discuss the impact of fascism in Italy and explore the district’s architecture,  commissioned by Mussolini to reflect fascist ideals. Discuss how Italy has chosen to address (or avoid) this phase of its history.

Day 3 - The historical and touristic center and newcomers' perceptions. Reflect on the impact of tourism on ancient cities and how modern life interacts with cultural sites. Gain unique insights from a group of anonymous immigrants who will share their perspectives on Rome.

Note: Palatine Hill presents certain accessibility challenges due to its ancient and uneven paths. There are ramps to accommodate access to certain parts of the hill, however, not all of the areas may be accessible. Our tour guide will focus on the parts that are accessible to all participants, ensuring that all students get a meaningful experience. 

Price: $650 (this trip is not included in the program fee). Price includes: transportation, accommodation in Rome, guided tours and tickets for monuments, hotel breakfasts, group meals or cash for meals. 

GUIDED VISIT: ALHAMBRA & generalife  (MANDATORY)

Alhambra is a must-see, and you will enjoy a guided tour of Granada´s most famous monument: the Alhambra castle, a stunning 13^th century palace and fortress, and a World Heritage Site.

Note: this event will involve walking for sustained periods of time

This event is mandatory and will not be available for registration in Portal. Registration will be confirmed at a later time. 

LOCAL TOURS in ALBAICÍN & REALEJO  (Mandatory)

Start unlocking this multi-layered historical city and be part of it. Through the cornerstone course we will explore the different layers of history and culture that co-exist in the city, taking you through Granada’s traditional neighborhoods: the old Jewish quarter and the original Muslim city.

This event is mandatory and will not be available for registration in Portal. Registration will be confirmed at a later time. 

TRIP TO MOROCCO (mandatory)

This unique, educational trip is part of our Granada cornerstone course. You will spend four days in Northern Morocco, exploring historic and cultural sites, engaging with the local community (homestays, college students, women´s center, immigrants, Peace Corps), and learning about the Islamic world, culture, and lifestyle. One of the semester favorites, students often describe this trip as an eye-opening, mind-blowing, or life-changing experience.

This event is mandatory and will not be available for registration in Portal. Registration will be confirmed at a later time. 

FAREWELL DINNER

A great experience like this one needs a proper ending. On your last night in Granada, we will all have dinner together to remember the best memories and experiences of the semester.

OTHER CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

In order to foster a true immersion and interaction with locals in Granada, we will offer you some other co-curricular activities, where you will be able to meet local students and unfold other layers of the Spanish culture.

Cultural Reimbursement Program

You still want more?! With the Cultural Reimbursement Program, you will be partially reimbursed for the cultural activities you do on your own, whether it is monuments, museums, day trips, exhibitions, sports, etc.  We will also let you know of any ongoing activities that you may be interested in. Be sure to make use of these funds during the semester!

** Register for these activities in Portal to secure your spot. Registration will be confirmed upon arrival in Granada.

** Events are only open to Arcadia Granada program participants. Please note that dates and times are subject to change.

** All activities are subject to change depending on availability.

** The Arcadia Granada Center will also add other events throughout the semester (check your email and Canvas accounts, Arcadia Social Media, and the local events calendar in Google).