Barcelona Exchange Applications for 2024-2025

CPEJ is thrilled to share information and applications with students for next year’s Barcelona Spanish Language Immersion Exchange Program:

CPEJ and the World Language Department are excited to offer the opportunity for Upper School students to participate in the Friends Seminary—Colegio Sant Ignasi Barcelona Exchange Program! The program had an incredibly successful first year and we are eager to build upon that success and offer this opportunity to more of our intrepid students. 

Rising 10th and 11th grade students currently studying Spanish are eligible to apply. Applicants must be taking or have completed at least level 2 Spanish with a B+ average or higher and have the recommendation of the Spanish teacher. They must also be in overall good academic standing, have solid disciplinary and attendance records, and demonstrate leadership in their contributions to our school community. An interview in Spanish will be part of the application process.

Up to six students will be selected to travel to Barcelona from March 7-29, 2025 (updated dates). While it is not a program requirement, if you are able to host a student from Barcelona November 16 - December 7, 2024, it is expected that you will; this is a very enriching element of the exchange, and our program can only be successful with the collaboration of our Friends families. If selected, students are expected to make a complete commitment to the program and program dates. It is important to consider possible conflicts before applying. Students in 11th grade should pay attention to SAT/ACT dates and schedule their testing accordingly. Students that play a club sport or have another outside commitment must be willing to give priority to the exchange if a conflict arises at a later date.

*Host families must be able to provide an individual bed for a visiting student. It can be in a room shared by a student of a similar age and same gender. Please contact Kara Kutner, Director of CPEJ, for additional details (kkutner@friendsseminary.org)

Program Description

The program takes place in March and will include the two weeks of spring vacation, plus an additional week prior to the break. Selected students will attend school with a host student and reside with a host family in Barcelona - a hub of Spanish and Catalán culture, art, and design. Applicants can expect to have a Spanish immersion experience, as well as learn about the Catalán region and language. This program is intended as a linguistic and cultural exchange, rather than strictly an academic one. Students will attend a variety of classes in Spanish, but not for academic credit. The approximate cost of the program is $1,600. This cost includes round trip airfare, travel insurance, estimated spending money for tourism, and ancillary expenses. Meals are provided by host families and at the school. Financial assistance is available; contact Sam Margles to inquire.

*Since students will miss approximately one week of school prior to your Spring break, they will need to be proactive in making up work before or after. 

*If students plan to play a spring sport they must be in touch with the Athletic Director to understand any implications that their time away will have on their participation when they return.

The application form has been shared with students; the DEADLINE for submission is Monday, May 13. Please review these additional dates and details about the application process:

Our hope is to work with Sant Ignasi to establish exchange partners and share that information prior to summer break.

Please reach out to me with any questions!

In Friendship,

Kara Kutner