This March break, 11 students and two faculty members are traveling to Spain to explore the life and works of Teresa de Avila, a renowned Spanish mystic. Please enjoy the blog post below from Artie ’27 and Arthur ’27 where they share about the groups final day in Spain was filled with snowy goodbyes, heartfelt reflections on newfound friendships, personal growth, and the profound spiritual and cultural impact of Santa Theresa, leaving them with lasting memories of connection, community, and discovery.
Our final day in Spain, we woke up bright and early for our drive to Madrid as we admired our last moments in Avila. It snowed and the cold breeze put everyone to sleep for the drive down to the airport. I thought to myself during the trip about all the people I met, the memories I made, and the amazing views I saw. I learned more about myself through this process. I learned that I love listening to other people’s stories. I enjoy listening to their experiences and how I can apply certain aspects that will better myself. Through the Nun’s of El convento de las Descalzas Reales, I learned about community, support, and sisterhood/brotherhood. I also thought about how this trip brought me closer to people I’ve never spoken to before. The forced proximity between myself and others allowed me to connect with people I didn’t know beforehand who attended Deerfield. Being in Spain also showed me that the world is a big place with lots of opportunities to grow and explore. As I walked through the airport with all the new friend’s I had made, we all had our final laughs in this experience. We paid our respects to Jordan, our host and the man who made it all possible. We boarded and the flight had some empty seats. The middle seat in my row was clear and made the flight much more bearable and comfortable. I slept at least 5 hours of the 7 hour and 30 min flight. However, I was awake to snag the last chicken hot pocket the attendants were giving out! – Artie ’27
The trip concluded with an early morning departure from Avila in the snow. At the airport, we said goodbye to Jordan who had been a fantastic guide, translator, and friend throughout the trip. The trip also separated from Allegra and Ellie who each took different routes to see their families. On the plane, between napping and watching movies, I reflected on the trip and Santa Theresa as a spiritual and secular figure. Visiting four convents founded by Santa Theresa and reading her several passages from her works taught me the physical impact she had on Spain. She founded an order of nuns and the only woman to have founded an order of priests. Her writing also stands as a pillar of Spanish literature and is second only to Miguel de Cervantes Don Quixote in literary praise. From discalced Carmalite nuns in Valladolid, I remembered the emotional affect her life had on the people of Spain and the world. Nuns from Peru to Venezuela and all over Spain testified to the simplicity Theresa’s teachings brought to their lives. – Arthur ’27
