Learn Spanish in San Sebastian: Social Life
All students are encouraged to make the most of their time in San Sebastian by participating in the guided excursions and activities offered by the college. These social activities enable students to get to know San Sebastian, the people and the surroundings.
First Monday of each month:
Walking tour of all of the important monuments and places in San Sebastian followed by welcome drinks in la Parte Vieja.
The first and third Wednesday of each month:
Meet and chat to local people in Spanish and your native tongue during two hours while enjoying a few drinks and pintxos!
In the summer:
At Zurriola Beach – Play beach volleyball in Zurriola while enjoying the sunshine. Afterwards there will be time to go swimming before enjoying a drink at the Muro.
In the winter:
Exploring the Basque Country – Visit a small fishing town! We’ll take a walk around the town city, explore the Old Town and enjoy a pintxo or two in the fisherman street.
The college arranged activities can include the following: football, horse riding, skiing in the Pyrenees, sightseeing in Madrid or Barcelona, watching films, visits to museums, dancing and canoeing. Don’t forget that San Sebastian has a Gym just 5 metres away from the school, with plenty of activities for the students to enjoy (including a sauna and Jacuzzi).
An example of the social programme offered by the school
(some at additional cost):
Monday: Welcome Party
Tuesday: Guided visit of San Sebastian
Wednesday: Cultural activity (visit to Museum)
Thursday: Sports activity
Saturday: Day Trip to Biarritz
Activities outside of the College:
Mid August sees one of San Sebastian’s biggest festivals “Semana Grande”, with fireworks on the bay, concerts, open-air cinema and all night partying on the streets!
Towards the end of July the city becomes a huge jazz festival where you can see paying or free jazz concerts all around the city. In September San Sebastian holds its “Regatas de traineras” its rowing “Olympic” games and the Surf World Series for the more sport-orientated students. Mid September also holds the International Film Festival, this is the time of year all the film stars visit San Sebastian and is one of the top five festivals in the World, so go along and see if you can spot any famous faces! Why not visit the world famous Guggenheim museum in Bilbao or experience the new Aquarium in San Sebastian.
Most restaurants in San Sebastian have a set menu del dia, which is usually a good way to sample many different types of food, as well as being good value for money. It will generally include an appetizer, bread and a main dish, dessert and coffee or tea and is generally only served at lunchtime. Popular dishes in San Sebastian always seem to include pork, especially “jamon Serrano”, (this is a leg of ham cured and traditionally hung out to dry in the shop window). The people of San Sebastian consume large quantities of bacon, “longanissa” and “chorizo” as well.
