Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Barcelona
Join us in Barcelona for an insider’s experience of Spain on this Pre-College summer program for high school students. Broaden your horizons with in-depth, field-based seminars and elective workshops as you become part of an inspiring and supportive community of instructors and students from around the world. Choose one seminar and dive into your subject matter through engaging discussions and hands-on projects that immerse you in Catalán life.
- Highlights
• Explore business and marketing in a modern hub of entrepreneurship
• Use your camera to capture the vibrant colors of La Boqueria, a traditional market
• Visit the legendary Camp Nou Stadium, home to F.C. Barcelona
• Practice Castilian Spanish with locals on a cultural scavenger hunt
• Use your camera to capture the vibrant colors of La Boqueria, a traditional market
• Visit the legendary Camp Nou Stadium, home to F.C. Barcelona
• Practice Castilian Spanish with locals on a cultural scavenger hunt
“Traveling on her own and living in Barcelona for three weeks was a great experience for her. The program was well designed and gave the students an opportunity to participate in activities in the Barcelona area as a group, but with time to explore on their own as well.”
—Susan T., New York, NY
Seminars
Choose a seminar and explore Barcelona and the surrounding Catalán countryside through the lens of your chosen subject. Putney seminars combine experiential learning and global perspective, and are intentionally designed not to be like school, where learning is classroom-centered and text heavy. Instead, Putney students learn by doing. Begin with classroom discussions that frame your seminar concepts and identify key issues. Take the learning beyond the classroom with site visits, meetings with local experts, guest lectures, and field trips. Barcelona’s rich historical, architectural, and cultural background makes it the perfect setting for our field-based seminars. Cap off your studies with a final project or installation to share your work.
From stark Romanesque churches that were the initial staging ground of the Medieval reconquest of Spain, to soaring Gothic and later surrealist cathedrals, Barcelona provides a remarkable thousand-year record of the development of European history, art,...
What makes a business succeed in today’s market and what are the steps between identifying a need and opening your doors? In recent years, larger-than-life characters like Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk have dominated headlines...
Boasting luxury brands such as Loewe, Delpozo, and Bimba y Lola—in addition to fast fashion giants Zara and Pull&Bear—Spain’s fashion industry is a powerhouse on the world fashion scene. In this seminar, explore Spanish fashion’s historical roots,...
From manchego cheese to manzanilla olives to the iconic jamón serrano (hocks of cured ham) that hang in nearly every taberna and even supermarkets, local ingredients are the cornerstone of Spanish cuisine. The worldwide proliferation of tapas restaurants...
Designed for photographers of all skill levels, this course teaches the basics of photography and composition before diving into more advanced shooting techniques and editing instruction. Whether your passion is portrait, landscape, adventure, or abstract...
Designed for students with at least two years of classroom Spanish, or the equivalent, this language immersion course focuses on group and individual fieldwork complemented by extensive, seminar-style discussions on Spanish culture, literature, history,...
From manchego cheese to manzanilla olives to the iconic jamón serrano (hocks of cured ham) that hang in nearly every taberna and even supermarkets, local ingredients are the cornerstone of Spanish cuisine. The worldwide proliferation of tapas restaurants...
Designed for students with at least two years of classroom Spanish, or the equivalent, this language immersion course focuses on group and individual fieldwork complemented by extensive, seminar-style discussions on Spanish culture, literature, history,...
Designed for photographers of all skill levels, this course teaches the basics of photography and composition before diving into more advanced shooting techniques and editing instruction. Whether your passion is portrait, landscape, adventure, or abstract...
Boasting luxury brands such as Loewe, Delpozo, and Bimba y Lola—in addition to fast fashion giants Zara and Pull&Bear—Spain’s fashion industry is a powerhouse on the world fashion scene. In this seminar, explore Spanish fashion’s historical roots,...
What makes a business succeed in today’s market and what are the steps between identifying a need and opening your doors? In recent years, larger-than-life characters like Steve Jobs, Oprah Winfrey, Mark Zuckerberg, and Elon Musk have dominated headlines...
From stark Romanesque churches that were the initial staging ground of the Medieval reconquest of Spain, to soaring Gothic and later surrealist cathedrals, Barcelona provides a remarkable thousand-year record of the development of European history, art,...
Featured
Instructors
Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.
Featured
Instructors
Our Pre-College instructors are accomplished academically and professionally. They bring to each seminar deep content knowledge and experience in their field, as well as enthusiasm for their subjects, a passion for teaching, and a proven capacity to connect with and inspire students. They are dedicated and caring individuals who also live in dormitories with students, sharing in their lives and fully participating in extracurricular activities.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Our Barcelona Campus
Live among the bright lights and cosmopolitan bustle of Europe’s largest city on the Mediterranean. Barcelona is a gem, known for its unique blend of pragmatism, flair, and civic-mindedness. From our base in the popular neighborhood of La Barceloneta, discover the city’s cafes and restaurants, renowned art and architecture, scenic beaches, and rich Catalán history.
Outcomes & Final Projects
The Pre-College Barcelona program is designed to immerse students intellectually in their chosen seminar topic as they prepare academically and socially for the college experience. Over the course of their three-week Pre-College seminar, each student develops a final project based on their particular interests, which they present to peers and instructors at the end of the program. Display your photography or drawings in a pop-up gallery, present your designs from your Fashion & Culture seminar, or prepare a feast to share with your group.
Afternoons & Excursions
Take a chocolate-making workshop, bike through beautiful city parks, visit the Museo de Picasso, head to the beach, or explore the stunning Catalán countryside. Spend a day relaxing on the turquoise beaches of medieval Tossa de Mar and experience the wild and surreal works of Salvador Dalí in his hometown of Figueres.
Workshops
In addition to your in-depth seminar, explore other interests and topics in elective workshops offered by instructors and students alike. Tap into the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of your peers and instructors to expand your Pre-College experience, learning on topics and skills ranging from making the perfect flan to flamenco dancing.
Guest Speakers
Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and professionals. Guest speakers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Whether a renowned chef or a professional photographer, each speaker structures their workshop or lecture to relate to the seminars and their area of expertise.
Community
Find a community of like-minded peers, invested in personal and intellectual growth. Like you, they are curious about the world and eager to have a positive impact on it. Everyone attends Community Meeting each evening, where the group shares ideas, successes, and goals, and sets plans for the coming day. Become part of a community that supports and nurtures your interests, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Accommodations & Meals
In Barcelona, we stay in a residential dormitory in the popular neighborhood of La Barceloneta. Students reside in doubles and triples with ensuite bathrooms and access to common meeting rooms. We begin each day together with a traditional Spanish breakfast at a restaurant near our residence. For lunches, seminar groups may eat together or we break into small groups of three or more students to eat at a restaurant of their choice. We eat dinners at restaurants in small groups of staff and students to discover Barcelona’s culinary scene. Please note that lunches are not included in the tuition.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Our Barcelona Campus
Live among the bright lights and cosmopolitan bustle of Europe’s largest city on the Mediterranean. Barcelona is a gem, known for its unique blend of pragmatism, flair, and civic-mindedness. From our base in the popular neighborhood of La Barceloneta, discover the city’s cafes and restaurants, renowned art and architecture, scenic beaches, and rich Catalán history.
Outcomes & Final Projects
The Pre-College Barcelona program is designed to immerse students intellectually in their chosen seminar topic as they prepare academically and socially for the college experience. Over the course of their three-week Pre-College seminar, each student develops a final project based on their particular interests, which they present to peers and instructors at the end of the program. Display your photography or drawings in a pop-up gallery, present your designs from your Fashion & Culture seminar, or prepare a feast to share with your group.
Afternoons & Excursions
Take a chocolate-making workshop, bike through beautiful city parks, visit the Museo de Picasso, head to the beach, or explore the stunning Catalán countryside. Spend a day relaxing on the turquoise beaches of medieval Tossa de Mar and experience the wild and surreal works of Salvador Dalí in his hometown of Figueres.
Workshops
In addition to your in-depth seminar, explore other interests and topics in elective workshops offered by instructors and students alike. Tap into the unique knowledge, skills, and abilities of your peers and instructors to expand your Pre-College experience, learning on topics and skills ranging from making the perfect flan to flamenco dancing.
Guest Speakers
Gain inspiration from the experiences and perspectives of industry leaders and professionals. Guest speakers bring to the program diverse backgrounds with high-level, real-world experiences and insights. Whether a renowned chef or a professional photographer, each speaker structures their workshop or lecture to relate to the seminars and their area of expertise.
Community
Find a community of like-minded peers, invested in personal and intellectual growth. Like you, they are curious about the world and eager to have a positive impact on it. Everyone attends Community Meeting each evening, where the group shares ideas, successes, and goals, and sets plans for the coming day. Become part of a community that supports and nurtures your interests, and make lasting friendships along the way.
Accommodations & Meals
In Barcelona, we stay in a residential dormitory in the popular neighborhood of La Barceloneta. Students reside in doubles and triples with ensuite bathrooms and access to common meeting rooms. We begin each day together with a traditional Spanish breakfast at a restaurant near our residence. For lunches, seminar groups may eat together or we break into small groups of three or more students to eat at a restaurant of their choice. We eat dinners at restaurants in small groups of staff and students to discover Barcelona’s culinary scene. Please note that lunches are not included in the tuition.
Program Structure
Seminar groups meet each morning to introduce and frame key concepts for the day, then head out into the city or surrounding areas for field-based learning, putting the day’s ideas into practice. Seminar activities are supplemented by fun excursions and immersive cultural experiences.
- Morning
9:00am
Enjoy breakfast on campus with your group
10:00am
Meet with your seminar in the classroom to identify topics for the day
11:00am
Take learning into the field—on a museum visit, for example, or a meeting with a fashion designer
- Afternoon
2:00pm
Break for lunch on the town with friends and your instructor
4:00pm
Join a pick-up soccer game at Playa Barceloneta, followed by a dip in the Mediterranean
- Evening
7:00pm
Convene for Community Meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
8:00pm
Head out to enjoy tapas with a small group and instructor
10:00pm
Attend a Spanish guitar concert or flamenco show with your group
Program Structure
Seminar groups meet each morning to introduce and frame key concepts for the day, then head out into the city or surrounding areas for field-based learning, putting the day’s ideas into practice. Seminar activities are supplemented by fun excursions and immersive cultural experiences.
- Morning
9:00am
Enjoy breakfast on campus with your group
10:00am
Meet with your seminar in the classroom to identify topics for the day
11:00am
Take learning into the field—on a museum visit, for example, or a meeting with a fashion designer
- Afternoon
2:00pm
Break for lunch on the town with friends and your instructor
4:00pm
Join a pick-up soccer game at Playa Barceloneta, followed by a dip in the Mediterranean
- Evening
7:00pm
Convene for Community Meeting to discuss the day and upcoming schedule
8:00pm
Head out to enjoy tapas with a small group and instructor
10:00pm
Attend a Spanish guitar concert or flamenco show with your group
“Thank you, Putney, for once again providing my daughters with unforgettable educational opportunities and exciting adventures!”
—Robin & Matthew B., Mount Kisco, NY
Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
