At the end of 2022, we were invited by Reme Leiva Fernández, the Spanish teacher at James Hargest College in Invercargill, to join a study trip to Spain in September this year. The trip was an invaluable space for students to have a fully immersive experience for authentic cultural and language learning while travelling to a target language country.

Spain was a treat, with an average of 32 degrees Celsius throughout. Vibrant, lively big cities and little towns, ancient buildings and Roman ruins received us with open arms every step of the way.

I had the privilege of witnessing the metamorphosis of my Kiwi students into little Spaniards: shopping, ordering food, boarding taxis in the target language and insisting on the stubborn locals who try to speak in English to them, to keep it 'en español por favor.'

I want to share some of their stories with you, not without acknowledging first the support given by the School represented by our tenacious Principal, the BOT, the PTSA, and the trust that the families placed in me and the Languages Department.

BARCELONA

The first city we had the opportunity to explore was the beautiful city of Barcelona. In the three days we spent there, we visited some of its major attractions. Our first stop was Park Güell, a beautiful space filled with mosaics and unique architecture designed by Antoni Gaudi. Next, we visited La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished Roman Catholic church designed by Gaudi. Casa Batlló is another Gaudi masterpiece known for its use of vibrant colours and intricate design. And finally, Camp Nou is the home of FC Barcelona and the largest stadium in Europe. We were also lucky enough to have free time to find places to eat, shop, and explore. Barcelona was definitely one of my favourite cities to visit.

By Devon Moffatt, Year 11

MADRID

The next city we travelled to was Spain’s capital, Madrid. We spent two nights there, so we had one full day of exploring the city. We arrived via a three-hour train ride from Barcelona, which gave us beautiful views of the Spanish countryside. After we checked into our hotel, we had dinner at a buffet restaurant, which had a lot of Spanish cuisine to try, such as gazpacho, paella, and arroz con leche. Afterwards, we explored the streets and did some late-night shopping. The next morning, we took part in a three-hour guided bike tour in Retiro’s park, which, although exhausting, offered us beautiful views of the park and city. Next, we met our guide in the famous town square and walked past various beautiful historical buildings until we reached our destination: the Royal Palace. It was filled with beautifully decorated rooms, lavish furniture and hundreds of captivating paintings. Although we only spent two nights in Madrid, the gorgeous architecture, buildings, and scenery made it unforgettable. A definite highlight was the late-night shopping trips, where we visited many Spanish brands, such as El Corte Inglés y Zara. We travelled via bus to Toledo the following day. The former capital was one of the most beautiful cities we saw, with ancient city walls and a river shielding the city, and inside were many stunning buildings built in Gothic style. Our tour guide, Mario, was very passionate and enthusiastic about his city. At one point, he even joined in on a local busker singing. We also had the opportunity to visit many little shops around the city, though the narrow streets and gorgeous cathedrals were unbeatable.

By Lily Schaumann, Year 11

CÓRDOBA

Córdoba was a 4-hour drive from Madrid. While we were driving to Córdoba, our bus broke down, and we ended up spending a few hours at a petrol station. We arrived in Córdoba and had dinner at 12 a.m. It was really late, but it was an awesome experience. The next day, we went to Medina Azahara, a fortified palace city in modern-day Spain, on the outskirts of Córdoba to the west. Today, its remnants are a significant archaeological site. It was so interesting to see artefacts from the 10th century. In the afternoon, we went to the Judería, where Jewish people lived between the 10th and 15th centuries. We also went to the Mezquita, The Mosque/Cathedral of Córdoba, one of the largest sacred buildings in the Islamic world. I enjoyed walking through the winding streets and taking in the beautiful facades of the Mezquita. We also went to an equestrian show that evening, where we saw beautiful Andalusian horses and a little bit of Flamenco dancing. The next day, we went to Sevilla, where we visited the Plaza De España. This square was created as an emblematic area for the 1929 Ibero-American Exposition by renowned Sevillian architect Aníbal González. It was a beautiful place to hang out in, as well as see its animal inhabitants, swans and ducks, as well as cats! In the afternoon, we went to the Sevilla Cathedral, which was a staggering 104.5 metres in height. To reach the top, we had to climb over ten floors, but the view we got from the summit was like nothing we had ever seen before. It was absolutely magical. You could see over the entire city. It felt like flying. After the Cathedral, we went to the Royal Palace, which originated in the tenth century and expanded into a more expansive palace complex under the Abbadid and Almohad dynasties. It was filled with amazing and detailed tiles, as well as astonishing gardens, which show the many cultural elements that influenced the palace's design. After such a long day of exploring the many wonders Sevilla had to offer, I was exhausted! Upon arrival back to Córdoba, dinner was served, and a good night’s rest was needed to get ready to experience what was to come the next day on our marvellous trip around Spain!

By Islay Garden, Year 12

GRANADA

After leaving Córdoba, we had a day trip to Ronda, where we explored the city and had a tour of the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain. The history was fascinating to learn about, and the city is located between two mountains, so the views were also amazing. We then travelled to Granada, and the next day, we visited the Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex that is one of the most significant structures of Islamic architecture in Spain. The palaces were beautifully detailed, and there were many gardens and fountains everywhere. Afterwards, we went with our guide to the Mirador San Miguel (Lookout Point of San Miguel) and saw the Alhambra differently. We continued on into the Albaicin quarter, where our group had a flamenco dance lesson in the gipsy caves. It was a fun learning experience, and after our lesson, we watched professional dancers put on a show for us. They were brilliant dancers, and overall, it was a fun experience. Our time in Granada was short but busy, and I greatly enjoyed it.

By Ella Richardson, Year 13

PRIEGO DE CORDOBA

After ten days of travelling to Spain's most beautiful destinations, we found ourselves in the charming city of Priego de Córdoba. For 18 days, this small province in the south of Spain granted us the privilege of living with local host families, providing an opportunity to fully immerse ourselves in the rich Spanish culture, cuisine, and language. Priego was also the place where we enrolled in Carmen Pantión, the local high school, giving us a firsthand look into the Spanish educational system and a chance to engage with local students. Our classes in science, maths, and social sciences were entirely conducted in Spanish, putting our language skills to the test and enriching our understanding. We quickly discovered that the Spanish school system differed significantly from what we were accustomed to in New Zealand, with teachers changing classrooms instead of students and a short 30-minute break during a six-hour school day. Beyond the classroom, our days were filled with exciting activities, including zip-lining adventures, challenging our inner chef by cooking classic Spanish dishes, and much more. Additionally, thanks to the near-constant 35-degree weather, we took advantage of the sun and made our way to the beautiful shores of Malaga for a relaxing day by the sea, even if it meant inevitably getting sunburned. Furthermore, within our host families, we experienced a classic Spanish way of life, complete with siestas and 11 p.m. dinners. After school, we'd meet up with friends from both Spain and New Zealand to explore the town. Our time in Priego was a profound, enriching experience. The memories we made and the connections formed with our host families were unforgettable and made Priego my number-one destination on the trip.

By Amber McPhee, Year 12