High School Study Abroad in the Basque Country

Every program at the Baserria Institute is meticulously crafted, drawing upon over a decade of extensive research led by the institute's founder and director, Dr. Aric J. Visser. His groundbreaking study on high school study abroad stands unparalleled, representing the most in-depth exploration into the development of intercultural competence and creativity among high school abroad students to date.

Each of Baserria Institute's programs is thoughtfully designed to enable students to hone specific competencies. By embracing the distinctive qualities of the environment abroad, our programs are crafted to nurture skills in a manner that would be unattainable at their home schools. It's more than just learning abroad; it's about utilizing the unique nuances of the international backdrop to catalyze profound growth and advancement in every student

Baserria Institute's programs are deeply rooted in a place-based approach, ensuring that the distinct characteristics and essence of each location play a central role in the learning experience. Emphasizing a people-centered philosophy, we prioritize genuine interactions with local communities, enabling students to form authentic connections and insights. Our design focuses on immersing students in both the environment and the culture abroad, utilizing the natural and human facets of each locale to foster unmatched growth and understanding. It's a holistic journey that intertwines the beauty of place with the richness of human connection.

While the concept of "total immersion" is widely promoted, it often leads to students becoming overwhelmed, eventually resigning themselves to lower levels of achievement. Baserria Institute adopts a more refined approach that we call "targeted immersion." This method seamlessly blends moments of deep linguistic and cultural immersion with reflective practices in the student's native language. By weaving these elements together, students can more effectively digest and process their overseas experiences. Our programs are thoughtfully crafted to be challenging, ensuring that each student is continuously encouraged to push beyond their current capabilities, maximizing growth and comprehension.

At Baserria Institute, our host families represent far more than just a roof overhead; they are an integral component of the educational journey. These families are deeply interconnected with the institute's ecosystem, as their own children attend the same school where our students study. This shared academic environment fosters a sense of camaraderie and mutual understanding. Beyond this, our host families actively participate in specialized training sessions, ensuring they are well-prepared to cultivate a nurturing and enriching environment. These trainings are designed to proactively address potential challenges and enhance the overall experience. For our students, these host families become gateways to authentic local experiences, pivotal to their learning and growth abroad.

Our programs at Baserria Institute are constructed with safety as a cornerstone, and a key strategy lies in keeping our students actively engaged. Within our framework, education is not a mere hurdle to clear before leisure; it's an ongoing, immersive experience where every moment is a potential learning opportunity.

In line with our mission, we also emphasize creating programs that offer tangible benefits to the local communities. We are acutely aware of and strive to avoid the pitfalls of neocolonial approaches to study abroad – where students merely consume experiences and return home with their newfound knowledge, leaving little behind. Instead, our programs are woven into the fabric of the local community, ensuring a symbiotic relationship where both our students and the community reap rewards. Our students don't just take from the experience; they contribute, making our programs a source of mutual growth and enrichment.