Lincoln Academy students who traveled to Spain over April vacation with their language school certificates.
During the recent April Vacation a group of 30 Lincoln Academy students and three teachers traveled to Salamanca, Spain, resuming the every-other year tradition of LA international travel. World Languages teachers Alison Hanley, Lyn Bass, and Chelsea Bull, along with their students left school April 16 to spend 10 days on a language immersion trip that included home stays, language classes, and visiting major sights around Spain.
Upon arrival in Spain, students were met by their host families in groups of two, and sent to different houses throughout the city. “Salamanca is a student-centered city with one of the oldest universities in the world that dates back to the 12th century, which makes it a great place to bring students,” said Hanley. “This year we arrived at the end of Semana Santa and we were able to see many processions in and around the city during the weekend and on Easter Sunday. This created a very different atmosphere than the group had on the last trip. It was fantastic to see!”
“The trip challenged our Spanish skills more than we expected,” said sophomore Zoe Hufnagel, who went on the trip. “There were a lot of opportunities to explore in our free time, and also learn and experience things as a group. Since we were there during Holy Week we got to see a lot of religious processions and cathedrals, and it was an interesting view into a different culture. We also got to meet new people, and get to know the people in our group better as well.”
Throughout the week, the group went on three full day excursions to Segovia, Madrid, and Ávila, as well as attending 12 hours of language classes in a Spanish language school. After classes, there was time to explore the city and see the cathedral, university and other museums in Salamanca, take free time to explore and practice Spanish in shops and restaurants, as well as interact with locals playing soccer and basketball in the local parks. Evenings were spent at home with the families or walking around the city with the group. One evening the group attended a free community concert by Spanish artist, Nil Moliner.
“It was a very enriching experience,” said junior Neptune Martin. “We learned so much more than just Spanish culture, since we interacted with many different kinds of people there. It really helped plant a passion for travel in me.”
“It was fun to be immersed in a different culture,” said junior Torren Nehrboss. “It was great to be in a host family and have to speak to them. The food was amazing, especially the fish.”
“Despite long travel days there and back, the LA students did a great job representing our community by being curious, respectful, punctual, and inquisitive,” said Hanley. “All and all it was a great trip!”
