Day 3 and seminars were off with a bang! Each seminar group took to exploring different barrios throughout the city and engaging students in the culture, language, design, and business of Barcelona.
Fashion & Culture traveled to the Museu del Disseny de Barcelona and browsed the permanent fashion exhibition focusing on form. They analyzed silhouettes from 1550-2015 and how they change the shape of the human body. They then used these silhouettes as inspiration for three original designs sketched by each student.
Business observed a film set on their way to their beachfront destination; unfortunately there were no open roles. They then took to the waterfront to analyze the different types of businesses that are running successfully on the beach and in Poble Nou.
Architecture & Art started off the day in the Born district exploring Santa Maria del Mar and discussing the characteristics of Catalan Gothic buildings and comparing it to other gothic structures. They then entered into the Gothic district, and observed the differences in street structure and planning. Along the way they purchased sketchbooks that will come in handy for their further studies!
Emily’s Spanish seminar visited the Cathedral of the Sea, exploring the church from crypt to rooftop and discussed the Catalan history and culture. They all loved experiencing the endurance of Catalan culture.
Catherine’s Spanish seminar studied the facades of three iconic modernist houses from the turn of the twentieth century on the Passeig de Gracia. Among them was Gaudi’s awe-inspiring Casa Batllo. On the way back they began their discussion of how the houses differ in form and content from houses today, and we also visited the Barcelona outpost of the Casa del Libro, one of Spain’s oldest bookstores.
In the afternoon we undertook gourmet adventures at the Fabrica de Chocolate, where we learned about cacao and then created our own decorative chocolate treats.
Another group experienced yoga on the beach in Spanish! For many this was their first yoga experience. They learned the mental discipline that yoga requires while learning more Spanish vocabulary.
In the evening a group of students elected to go to a Jazz Concert and the rest of us enjoyed a dinner of sushi, tacos, burgers, and Mediterranean fare.
The adventures continue!
— Pre-College Barcelona