Spain Customized Total Immersion

Designed for both high school and college students

This program follows the same format as our highly successful True Immersion Week for our group programs, but takes it one step further. Like our True Immersion Week, there are no classes and no group activities. You will live with a family, speaking entirely in Spanish, but your total immersion experience will last for a longer period of time than a week – at least two weeks, often up to four. You choose your dates of travel and length of stay. Your carefully selected Spanish host family is committed to involving and including you in their daily lives. Experiential learning in its truest form!

• Program Location: Coming soon
• Student Age: 16 – 21 years
• Language Prerequisite: Three years of high school Spanish by June 2012
• 2012 Program Dates: Between July 1 & August 15
• Program Price: $955 per week (not including airfare)
• For complete pricing details, see our Customized Total Immersion Program Fees

Estepona – a perfect Spanish Immersion city

Estepona, near the Malaga airport, is a coastal town on the Costa del Sol, southern Spain. Renowned for its beaches, it encompasses over 13 miles of coastline. All in all, a charming white-walled town with narrow streets and picturesque squares.

Your Spain Customized Total Immersion Experience at a Glance

• Your adventure starts when you meet your Host Family Coordinator at the airport and are introduced to your host family
• You will spend the next two to three weeks (or longer) getting to know your family and immersing yourself in Spanish family life
• No group activities and no contact with any other US students – the perfect opportunity to improve your fluency in Spanish
• Regular check-ins with your Host Family Coordinator ensure sure you remain comfortable and happy throughout your stay
• Through your host family, get to know the town of Estepona and its local people
• We can customize your program by arranging for you to pursue a particular interest, such as taking horseback riding lessons or dance classes
• You have the option to join the touring portion of one of our Spanish group programs either prior to or after your Immersion stay

Discover Estepona on its tourism website and see its exact location on Google Maps

How is my family chosen?
Our Host Family Coordinator in Estepona receives your full application, which includes your letter to your prospective family, details about your hobbies and interests, and any allergies or dietary requirements you may have. She will then match you with a family most suited to you.

What happens if I have a problem during the program?
Your Host Family Coordinator will be in regular contact with you. She will take you out at least once during your stay for a two-week program and at least twice for longer stays. She will also call you at the end of each week, but should you have a problem, she is available to take your calls at any time. She will work with you and the family to resolve any issues, and if a solution cannot be found, you will be moved to a new family.

How long can I stay?
Most students usually stay with a family for three weeks. The minimum stay is two weeks, but we also have students who stay for four weeks and longer. If you stay for a longer period of time we may have to place you in two families, but this is usually not an issue – our outgoing Customized Immersion students often relish the opportunity to get to know two host families!

How will I spend a typical day?
Living the life of a typically Spanish teenager in Estepona. This means that sometimes your family may offer to take you on local excursions or sightseeing in Estepona and the surrounding region, but more often than not, you will be living the daily life of the family, enjoying mealtimes, going shopping with your host parents, going to the beach, participating in family parties, or simply relaxing and enjoying getting to know your family.

Will there be a teenager in the family?
There will most likely be a teenager of a similar age in your host family, but this is not always the case. Keep in mind that your experience is also about connecting with every member of your family – the parents, younger children and even grandparents. This will help you to gain the most from your immersion experience.

Please feel free to call, email or chat live if you have a question. Alternatively, check out all our FAQs

Total Immersion in Spanish language and culture

To take part in a total immersion program is a challenging experience. It’s not for everyone, and it’s not always easy. It takes a certain kind of student to be able to travel to Europe independently, to adapt to a whole new culture, and to be able to thrive speaking only Spanish for the entire duration of the experience.

Are you able to answer “yes” to these questions?

• Are you at least 16 years old?
• Have you completed a minimum of three years of Spanish by June 2011? (Two years of middle school language is generally equivalent to one year of high school language)
• Are you motivated?
• Are you adventurous?
• Do you have an independent nature?
• Do you easily adapt to new surroundings?
• Are you flexible?
• Are you willing to try new foods and cultural experiences?
• Are you willing to speak only Spanish during your stay in Estepona?
• Are you outgoing and eager to learn as much about your family and their lives as possible?

If you are that certain type of student, the CTI program will be an amazing, rewarding experience for you!

“This trip gave me insight into Spanish culture that a regular tourist could never get. As I participated in the daily life of my family, I really experienced the culture of Spain firsthand.”
Julia K, Spain CTI 2010

“I felt very welcome. I was invited everywhere with my family and extended family. They were very caring and accommodating. I wish I had planned to stay longer. This was one of the best experiences of my life. I’m returning next summer for sure!”
Sarah P, Spain CTI 2010

“Katie had a blast. She came home more confident in not only her Spanish skills but in herself as well. She also said she thinks she is a nicer person now. Thank you for taking such good care of her!”
Cindy S, Parent, Spain CTI 2010

“My immersion family took me everywhere. We always had something fun and exciting to do. ECI did a great job of matching me to my family. We had many similar interests, which made me feel more like I was at home.”
LaMichelle S, Spain CTI 2010

• Ready to reserve your place? Then simply Apply Online via our secure form – a small deposit secures your place.
• Have a question or need additional information? Our team is happy to answer any question you may have—call us at 866.343.8990 or you can chat with us live
• Stay connected with us online through our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Follow ECI on Twitter or Follow ECI on Facebook
• See more videos and photos from our trips on Youtube or on Flickr