Spanish III Students Experience Unforgettable Summer Studying in Spain

It was a summer to remember for 27 Spanish III students in the Upper School, as they took part in an unforgettable study-abroad experience in and around Salamanca, Spain. 

 

Over the course of four weeks, the students were immersed in their language of study in a Spanish-speaking country, took part in cultural experiences ranging from paella cooking, flamenco dancing and visiting museums and historical sites, and spent valuable time in the classroom.

 

The course was taught by St. Margaret’s Spanish teachers Bryan Sullivan, Patricia Mejia and Meredith Vazquez, and additional members of professional community also joined for all or parts of the visit.

 

St. Margaret’s views experiential learning as an essential part of its academic program, and studying Spanish abroad was seen as a valuable opportunity for students to boost language skills and learn more about the culture they are studying.

 

The students reflected that immersing in a Spanish-speaking country improved their use of the language rapidly. 

 

“Everyone says that the best way to learn a language is to speak it in the country it is used, and I truly experienced that firsthand in Spain,” Upper School student Vivian Li wrote. “From simple greetings to full conversations, my language skill immensely improved.”

 

A typical day included classroom time in the morning, followed by afternoons of exploration and cultural touchpoints. The Tartans often did weekend excursions in other Spanish cities like Madrid and Toledo, visiting important cultural sites such as El Palacio Real De Madrid and El Museo del Prado.  

 

“The value of this study-abroad opportunity exceeded our expectations,” said Mr. Sullivan, who serves as chair of the world languages department. “Through language immersion and cultural exploration, our students developed a much greater understanding of their studies and were able to apply what they’ve learned in their world-language classes in everyday situations. It is what experiential education is all about.”

 

You can read more about this study-abroad experience, through the perspective of a student, in the upcoming issue of the Highlander Magazine.