Language and Culture

This trip offers Spanish language students the opportunity to experience and explore the rich culture of Cadiz, Spain. It includes a three week homestay during which students commit to living their lives in Spanish as they experience the challenges and joys of becoming a part of a Spanish family. With daily language and culture classes, students deepen their study of and increase their fluency in Spanish. Throughout the program the group will enjoy Spanish food and gain an understanding of daily life in a Spanish household.

With its rich history and vibrant culture,  Cadiz serves as an ideal location to develop our language skills and deepen our cultural competency.  After a month immersed in Spanish, students return home with an appreciation for the culture and history of Cadiz  and greater confidence in their command of the Spanish language. This program is open to all current 9th, 10th and 11th grade Spanish language students with a preference towards those enrolled in Spanish II or above who have demonstrated their commitment to the study of language and culture and who are committed to the study of Spanish upon their return.

Program Notes

  • Please note: This trip conflicts with the June 8 ACT and potentially with the June 1 SAT (depending on flights)
  • Portions of this trip will be “unplugged” where students will not have access to smartphones or other electronic devices in order to benefit from the full immersion experience.
  • Families are responsible for transporting their students from U.S.-based airport to their home destination for the summer.
  • Check out previous posts from our Notes from Abroad blog for a better understanding of the travel experience.
  • Students will stay with a homestay family either by themselves, in pairs, or in triples.

Program Dates

This trip has concluded. The following information has been provided for reference. Please check back soon for updates on our next trip.

Helpful links

Example Itinerary

The trip begins with a three-day orientation to Spain at a campsite in the Sierra de Cadiz, a beautiful natural reserve in Andalusia. Students, after these first three days, will then join their host families (where they will stay as singles, doubles, or triples) in Cadiz and begin their Spanish language classes with Centro Mundo Lengua. In the second week, students will participate in community service work, cooking, and dance workshops. The trip will also feature a weekend away to Sevilla.

Example Daily Schedule during homestay:
• Monday-Friday language and culture immersion classes with Mundo Lengua
• Break
• Lunch
• Week-long afternoon workshops – students will participate in local community service, cooking, and  dance classes
• Evening activities: flamenco shows, museums, tapas tours,  hikes, concerts, shopping, historical tours

*This itinerary is subject to change

Notes from Abroad

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.

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. 

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.