Language Trip to Spain Brings Learning to Life

In Madrid, students visited major cultural and historical sites, learned about the city's past and present through guided tours, and experienced daily life in Spain's capital. In Andalucía, they explored landmarks such as the Alhambra in Granada, the Mezquita in Córdoba, and the historic neighborhoods and monuments of Sevilla, gaining a deeper understanding of Spain's complex cultural heritage.

The heart of the trip, however, was the time spent in Dílar, a small mountain town outside Granada where students built meaningful relationships with members of the local community. They taught English lessons at the public elementary school, participated in a weaving workshop alongside women involved in a community program supporting survivors of domestic violence, joined local residents in watching the FIFA Club World Cup, and connected with local youth through a soccer match and a hike in the surrounding mountains. These experiences allowed students to move beyond tourism and engage directly with people whose lives and perspectives differed from their own.

Throughout the trip, students practiced their Spanish, navigated new cultural environments, and developed greater confidence and independence. By combining cultural immersion, community engagement, language learning, and service, the Spain trip provided meaningful opportunities for personal growth and intercultural understanding. While the iconic cities left a lasting impression, it was the relationships formed in Dílar that many students will remember most.