Spain 2019
Spain #9: The People
Matt Popkin (’19) and Sam Crocker (’19) reflect on the powerful memories and connections they have created while in Spain.
March 17, 2019
Mysticism in the Footsteps of Teresa of Avila
For the first half of March break, students will travel to Spain to share a unique learning experience studying the life and works of Teresa de Avila, a Spanish mystic. This journey will expose students to classic and contemporary expressions of mysticism, grounded both within the Christian tradition and outside any formal religious doctrine.
We will visit local monasteries, churches, religious communities, and fortresses of significance in the region, discussing Spain’s diverse religious history. Teresa’s footsteps will lead us to the Sierra de Gredos, where we will hike and visit with goat herders, allowing us to explore local food systems in many settings, including a visit to an artisanal cheese factory and pimentón (local smoked paprika) producer. We will sample the best of the region, whether it be food, literature, music, or sport, and find time to wander with friends, in conversation or quiet contemplation, finding opportunities to identify how Teresa’s simple and well-lived life–her cotidianidad–might resonate with our own.
Program Notes
- This program conflicts with the March 8 SAT test date.
- Families are responsible for transportation from JFK airport to the student’s destination for the remainder of March Break.
- During this trip, students will stay in hotels, inns, cabins, and lodges and share meals at accommodations and restaurants.
- As part of Deerfield’s commitment to face-to-face interactions, students will be “unplugged” during certain times of the trip and will not have access to cell phones.
- Students and faculty leaders will update families and friends at home through our Notes From The Field blog.
Program Dates
March 7 – March 16, 2025
Program eligibility
This program is open to all students, with a preference for those interested in religious history. Financial Aid is available to all qualifying students.
Faculty Trip Leaders
- Jan Flaska
- Ellie Bicknell
estimated COST: $6,000
This price is subject to change depending on enrollment numbers and flight costs. The final price will be set before initial deposits and enrollment paperwork are due.
2025 Preliminary Itinerary
*This itinerary is subject to change.
The itinerary begins with a departure from the US to Madrid, where students will immerse themselves in the history of Segovia, visiting its Roman aqueduct, the Alcázar, and the historic Jewish quarter. They will then travel to Tordesillas for a visit to a local shoemaker’s workshop.
Next, the group will explore Medina de Rioseco, meeting a sculptor who restores 16th-century religious art, followed by a dive into the writings of Santa Teresa with a local archivist. A hands-on cooking class in Valladolid will allow students to learn authentic 16th-century Spanish recipes, complemented by a discussion on Santa Teresa’s legacy and a tapas dinner.
The itinerary also includes a meeting with musician Paco Diez at his personal museum, followed by lunch at his bodega in Cigales, where students will explore 16th-century Spanish music and history.
The group will visit a high school in Valladolid to see how Santa Teresa’s life influences modern education, then take a historical tour of Medina del Campo before arriving in Avila. They will visit Alba de Tormes to see Santa Teresa’s tomb and engage in a round-table discussion on forbidden books at the University of Salamanca while also enjoying Salamanca’s landmarks.
A hike in the Sierra de Gredos mountains will follow, along with further exploration of Avila, including the Convento de San José and an evening of readings at the Museum of Mysticism.
The trip will conclude in Madrid, where the group will tour highlights like Plaza Mayor and Palacio Real, visit the Museo Prado, and potentially catch a professional soccer match.
** Families are responsible for transportation from the JFK airport to the student’s final destination at the end of the trip.
Notes from Abroad
Spain 2019
Spain #8: Avila
Kelly Lahart (2020) and Emma Reavis (2019) describe their first day in Avila as they journeyed by foot throughout the local mountains and town.
March 16, 2019
Spain 2019
Spain #7: School Exchange In Simancas
Morgan Moriarty ’22 describes an “exciting day” at Colegio Juan XXVIII in Simancas.
March 15, 2019
Spain 2019
Spain #6: Song and Laughter
Caroline Skillman ’19 reflects on the “simplicity” of building relationships through great food, good music, and shared stories.
March 14, 2019