Program Directed by
Emma Smith
If you have questions or would like to talk further about this program, please get in touch!
Barcelona
Esade Business School Intensive
Travel to Barcelona this summer to launch your future in global business at the renowned Esade Business School. Designed for ambitious high school students, this immersive program strengthens your understanding of entrepreneurship, innovation, marketing, and finance through dynamic classes, case studies, and hands-on workshops led by Esade’s distinguished faculty. Over three weeks, collaborate with motivated peers, explore Barcelona’s vibrant culture, and gain insight into academic and professional pathways in international business. Develop your own strategic business proposal and present it to faculty, gaining confidence, leadership skills, and global perspective as an emerging entrepreneur that will serve you in university and beyond.
- Highlights
• Take 50 hours of classes with Esade’s distinguished business faculty
• Work on a small team to create and present your own business proposal
• Visit companies and hear from guest speakers
• Explore Barcelona’s culture, architecture, and beaches
• Work on a small team to create and present your own business proposal
• Visit companies and hear from guest speakers
• Explore Barcelona’s culture, architecture, and beaches
“The program exceeded my child’s expectations in all respects. Interaction with other students was exceptional; instructors were great about making sure students were a cohesive group; and excursions to various places provided wonderful experiences.”
—Stephen & Melanie M., Hewlett, NY
Featured
Expert
An Expert joins each Career program for a portion of the itinerary, lending their insights and perspectives to the experience.
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Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York City, and fly together to Barcelona, Spain. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Barcelona — 20 days
Live and study in one of Europe’s most dynamic business hubs. Each morning, travel from your centrally located residence to ESADE’s Sant Cugat campus for engaging classes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, innovation, and finance. Learn through lectures, case studies, and collaborative workshops, then apply your knowledge as you develop a comprehensive strategic plan for your own business idea. Some afternoons are spent soaking up guest presentations or company visits. Other days, venture out with your group to explore Barcelona—from the Gothic Quarter and iconic architecture to the beaches along the Mediterranean. Evenings bring group reflection, community-building, and dinners at local restaurants as you form lasting friendships within an energetic, globally minded cohort.
Weekend Excursions
On weekends, students continue their learning beyond Esade’s campus. On Saturdays, the group takes field learning excursions with their leaders to important sites like Barcelona’s Mercat de la Boquería, the town of Castelldefels, or Camp Nou. On Sundays, the group heads further afield on excursions to beach towns Tossa de Mar or Sitges, experiencing the landscapes and lifestyles that shape the region’s culture and economy.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Barcelona, Spain, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Itinerary
This itinerary represents our best projection of the group’s schedule. However, we may implement changes designed to improve the quality of the program.
Departure — Travel Day
Meet your fellow high school student travelers and one or more of your program leaders in New York City, and fly together to Barcelona, Spain. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Barcelona — 20 days
Live and study in one of Europe’s most dynamic business hubs. Each morning, travel from your centrally located residence to ESADE’s Sant Cugat campus for engaging classes covering entrepreneurship, marketing, innovation, and finance. Learn through lectures, case studies, and collaborative workshops, then apply your knowledge as you develop a comprehensive strategic plan for your own business idea. Some afternoons are spent soaking up guest presentations or company visits. Other days, venture out with your group to explore Barcelona—from the Gothic Quarter and iconic architecture to the beaches along the Mediterranean. Evenings bring group reflection, community-building, and dinners at local restaurants as you form lasting friendships within an energetic, globally minded cohort.
Weekend Excursions
On weekends, students continue their learning beyond Esade’s campus. On Saturdays, the group takes field learning excursions with their leaders to important sites like Barcelona’s Mercat de la Boquería, the town of Castelldefels, or Camp Nou. On Sundays, the group heads further afield on excursions to beach towns Tossa de Mar or Sitges, experiencing the landscapes and lifestyles that shape the region’s culture and economy.
Return — Travel Day
Fly from Barcelona, Spain, to New York with your group and a leader, then continue on to your final destination. To learn more about how we organize travel, click here.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
Featured
Leaders
Meet some of our featured leaders. Please note that these may not be your leaders for the program.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme: Business & Entrepreneurship
Explore innovation, entrepreneurship, management, and finance through a global business lens while strengthening leadership skills and expanding your professional perspective. Engage in lectures, real-world case studies, hands-on workshops, and strategic planning sessions. Culminate the program by presenting your business proposal to peers and faculty. Extend learning beyond the classroom through company visits and presentations from professionals working across Barcelona’s business landscape, connecting the classroom to real companies and careers.
Final Projects
Each student works in a small team to create and develop a compelling plan for a new business. On the final day of the program, students present their business proposals to their professors, program leaders, and fellow students. At the final celebratory dinner, students are presented with a Putney Student Travel and Esade “Certificate of Completion” in acknowledgement of their hard work and accomplishment, signed by Esade faculty and their program leaders. Each student and their family also receive a written report from faculty that provides a summary of the curriculum and content learned, and an evaluation of the team’s business proposal. The final presentations and faculty feedback serve to inspire and motivate students to continue their academic pursuits and encourage them to achieve their highest potential.
Language Practice
Proficiency in Spanish is not required. However, students who study Spanish in school will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. Students who don’t speak Spanish have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Physical Activity
This is an active summer program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities. Though the focus of this program is not physical activity, students will spend time moving around Barcelona on foot, including walking tours of important sites like Parc Guell.
Accommodations
The group is based at a University Residence in the city center, close to a plethora of restaurants, open-air markets, parks, and cultural attractions. Students and leaders reside in the same accommodations, with students in single and double rooms. The Residence is a short commute from Esade’s Sant Cugat campus.
Meals
The group begins each day with a typical breakfast of coffee and a pastry, toast, or yogurt at the Residence. Students take lunch at the dining hall at Esade, where they can expect to enjoy simple two-course meals of Spanish staples including meat, fish, potatoes, rice, and fresh vegetables. Dinners are organized by program staff at local restaurants in the city center, giving students a taste of daily life in Barna.
What to Expect
Review specific program expectations here. For more general information:
Program Theme: Business & Entrepreneurship
Explore innovation, entrepreneurship, management, and finance through a global business lens while strengthening leadership skills and expanding your professional perspective. Engage in lectures, real-world case studies, hands-on workshops, and strategic planning sessions. Culminate the program by presenting your business proposal to peers and faculty. Extend learning beyond the classroom through company visits and presentations from professionals working across Barcelona’s business landscape, connecting the classroom to real companies and careers.
Final Projects
Each student works in a small team to create and develop a compelling plan for a new business. On the final day of the program, students present their business proposals to their professors, program leaders, and fellow students. At the final celebratory dinner, students are presented with a Putney Student Travel and Esade “Certificate of Completion” in acknowledgement of their hard work and accomplishment, signed by Esade faculty and their program leaders. Each student and their family also receive a written report from faculty that provides a summary of the curriculum and content learned, and an evaluation of the team’s business proposal. The final presentations and faculty feedback serve to inspire and motivate students to continue their academic pursuits and encourage them to achieve their highest potential.
Language Practice
Proficiency in Spanish is not required. However, students who study Spanish in school will have opportunities to practice while communicating with local people. Students who don’t speak Spanish have the opportunity to learn some basic language skills.
Physical Activity
This is an active summer program. You do not need to be at peak fitness to participate, but it is important that you have a desire to be physically active, and that you are excited about trying all activities. Though the focus of this program is not physical activity, students will spend time moving around Barcelona on foot, including walking tours of important sites like Parc Guell.
Accommodations
The group is based at a University Residence in the city center, close to a plethora of restaurants, open-air markets, parks, and cultural attractions. Students and leaders reside in the same accommodations, with students in single and double rooms. The Residence is a short commute from Esade’s Sant Cugat campus.
Meals
The group begins each day with a typical breakfast of coffee and a pastry, toast, or yogurt at the Residence. Students take lunch at the dining hall at Esade, where they can expect to enjoy simple two-course meals of Spanish staples including meat, fish, potatoes, rice, and fresh vegetables. Dinners are organized by program staff at local restaurants in the city center, giving students a taste of daily life in Barna.
A Day in the Life: Barcelona
Due to the dynamic nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Barcelona.
- Morning
8:00am
Breakfast with your group at your accommodations
9:00am
Commute to campus on a private bus
9:30am
Dive into your business seminars with Esade faculty
11:30am
Morning break
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Continue your seminar
2:00pm
Enjoy lunch in the Esade dining hall
3:00pm
Head back to your city accommodations
4:00pm
Meet with a local expert or head out on afternoon activity
- Evening
7:00pm
Downtime to relax in the Residence
8:00pm
Community meeting to discuss the day
8:30pm
Head out to dinner in small groups
10:30pm
Evening activities
A Day in the Life:
Barcelona
Due to the dynamic nature of this student program abroad, each day is different. Here is a snapshot of a day in Barcelona.
- Morning
8:00am
Breakfast with your group at your accommodations
9:00am
Commute to campus on a private bus
9:30am
Dive into your business seminars with Esade faculty
11:30am
Morning break
- Afternoon
12:00pm
Continue your seminar
2:00pm
Enjoy lunch in the Esade dining hall
3:00pm
Head back to your city accommodations
4:00pm
Meet with a local expert or head out on afternoon activity
- Evening
7:00pm
Downtime to relax in the Residence
8:00pm
Community meeting to discuss the day
8:30pm
Head out to dinner in small groups
10:30pm
Evening activities
“Kennedy had a great time! The night before leaving she said I can’t believe this was my last day! Every message to us was about the positive bond she was making, what she was seeing and doing.”
—Mason & Mark S., Los Angeles, CA