CDH Hosts Spanish Students
October 12, 2022
Cretin-Derham Hall hosted a group of students from La Salle Montemolín school in Zaragoza, Spain for two weeks this past month. The students went to classes, ate lunch, and attended sporting events with CDH "buddies" and had many opportunities to explore the greater St. Paul area, including Minnesota's North Shore.
The group was led by their English teacher, Igor Redon Zabala. Rebecca Medellin '88 and Alexis Howe, CDH Spanish teachers, met with Mr. Redon Zabala this past June when they went to Zaragoza to explore exchange opportunities. He said he had just the right group of students and was interested in getting a trip together right away.
Medellin and Howe planned a busy two-week itinerary for the group. Much of their time was spent blending in with CDH students: going to class, watching soccer games, going to the Homecoming Dance, and more. They also visited the Walker Art Center Sculpture Garden, enjoyed dinner at The Nook and shopped at the Mall of America.
De LaSalle High School, Holy Family High School and Nativity of Our Lord School in St. Paul also welcomed them for tours. Nativity treated them to a cooking demonstration and lunch with some Minnesota favorites, including Tater Tot Hot Dish, Chicken Wild Rice Soup, and Apple Crisp.
One of their days included a visit with the St. Paul Police. They met with two commanders, sat in a police car and saw a SWAT vehicle. They spent another day at the North Shore, where they visited Park Point in Duluth and hiked along Lake Superior.
Medellin and Howe are in the process of planning a trip to Zaragoza for CDH students next June. There is a lot of excitement about the trip and Zabala has extended a welcoming invitation. "We are honored and happy to be treated like members of your wonderful community and hoping to having you (students) back with us."
The teachers and students enjoyed hosting the group from Spain. "I think this trip really solidified and deepened our Lasallian connection with Montemolín," said Medellin. "I'm so excited to give this same experience to our students!"
