Middle School Language Spain leaders unpack an adventure-filled few days full of exciting new challenges for students in Potes.
Today has been an adventure for the history books! For most of us, it was our first time canyoning, which filled us with adrenaline and a sense of excitement as we repelled the rushing, fresh waters of the Picos de Europa National Park. We faced our fears and experienced the reward right in the moment by creating new and unforgettable memories together—much like speaking a new language! We will never forget the views of the mountains and lush greenery as we rappelled down the Potes.
In the afternoon, we got some well-deserved rest and then went exploring with a soccer ball—a universal language that allowed us to meet new local friends on the field near our hotel. We were surprised to be able to understand nearly all of what the teenagers from Potes were saying, but were also not afraid to ask for clarification when needed. Many of us mentioned these moments of connection as our “Rosa” of the day while playing “Rosa y espina” (rose and thorn) in our nightly group reflection.
A delicious dinner of hamburgers and nachos had us feeling like it was the Fourth of July, despite being an ocean away from the celebrations back home. We never realized it could be so fun to push ourselves out of our comfort zones and gain independence while traveling abroad. Meeting new people, connecting to a new culture and language, and trying new exhilarating activities can be hard, but we are really proud of the strides we have made in only a few days.
The owner of our hotel in Potes, who overheard our nightly meeting and came over to congratulate us for our bravery and boldness while speaking Spanish and processing this wonderful experience with maturity and introspection. Being in one of the most stunning natural parks in the world sure does inspire personal growth!
–Jaquelyn & Zachary
To learn more about our Middle School Language Spain program, click here!
