Language and Culture Studies Bring CDH Students to Spain

Dr. Howe, CDH World Language Instructor
August 15, 2023

A group of 12 CDH students, accompanied by CDH World Language Instructors Ms. Medellin and Dr. Howe, traveled through Spain for two weeks this past June as part of a World Language program (focused on language and Culture) where they will earn 1 Honors Global Studies credit. This trip was made possible through Medellin’s dedication to CDH study abroad programs and to fostering Lasallian connections throughout the world. These connections made it possible for the group to spend time and connect with students from two schools, Montemolín (in Zaragoza) and Our Lady of Lourdes (in Valladolid), as well as find lodging through the Christian Brothers.

After meeting an English teacher from a Lasallian school in Zaragoza, Spain, Medellin came up with the idea to create an entire program based on our Lasallian connections in various cities in Spain. The idea was to create an ongoing exchange that would continue each year. “I'm so grateful that Igor and Paco from Montemolín and Sonya from Our Lady of Lourdes are willing to put in the time, effort and dedication that it takes to make these experiences a success.” said Ms. Medellin. 

Madrid

The trip began in the capital city of Madrid. During a walking tour of the city center, students visited the Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, as well as the Prado (classical art) and Reina Sofia (contemporary art) museums. In the Reina Sofia Museum students witnessed the enormity of one of Pablo Picasso’s most well-known paintings Guernica, which represents the violence wrought upon the Spanish community during the Civil War. During a tour of the palace, which is the largest royal palace in Europe with over 3,000 rooms, the group was impressed by the ornately decorated spaces, many of which boasted marble floors, enormous crystal chandeliers, silk wall coverings, and even tapestries made with silver thread. For a special treat, students had the opportunity to purchase cookies from a group of cloistered nuns at the Monasterio del Corpus Christi. It was super fun to participate in the now not-so-secret phenomenon of the “secret nun cookies”, which are sold via a revolving door (since the nuns never leave the monastery or engage with the outside world). This cookie stop provided a nice break during a long day of walking in one of Western Europe’s largest cities.  

Segovia

Next, on route to Valladolid, the group spent part of a day touring the Medieval city of Segovia. Since Segovia is a very walkable city, the group was able to see a number of the most important sites in just a few hours. First, the group visited the Roman aqueduct, which was built around the first century A.D. Next stop was the Alcázar of Segovia, a medieval castle which was built around the 12th Century. In addition to being a breathtaking piece of architecture, the Alcázar has significant historical value since a number of important events took place there, including meetings between Christopher Columbus and the Catholic Kings who funded his explorations. The students were also interested to hear that the Alcázar served as inspiration for castles in Disney movies. 

Valladolid

During several days spent in Valladolid, the students had the opportunity to do a number of new and exciting things including attending classes with Spanish students, doing a walking tour of the city with a guide who spoke entirely in Spanish (many students asked excellent questions in Spanish as well!), exploring the Campo Grande Park (which was designed similarly only on a much smaller scale to New York City’s Central Park), eating tapas for the first time, and touring the home of Spain’s beloved author Miguel de Cervantes. Thanks to the organization of an English teacher at our host school Nuestra Señora de Lourdes, students were able to spend the morning touring the school and conversing with Spanish students. They took turns conversing in both Spanish and English so that both groups had the opportunity to practice their language skills. The group also had the opportunity to get to know two students who were residents in the school housing for international and non-local students (who served as our neighbors during the time that we stayed there). CDH students watched soccer games and played basketball with the two Spanish students. They even taught the residence director how to play HORSE (in Spanish!). Valladolid, while much bigger than Segovia, remains a very walkable city which allowed the group to see much of the city on foot in just a few days. During a walk home through the Campo Grande Park one afternoon, Ms. Medellin was spotted by a former CDH student who was currently a St. Ben’s student studying in Valladolid as part of a summer language program. It was fun for students to envision possibly returning to one of the cities on our trip at some point in the future for a longer study abroad experience. 

Urueña

From Valladolid, the group also took a day trip to Urueña, a small town of less than 200 people that remains behind the medieval wall originally built to protect its inhabitants. This was the smallest town that most of the group had ever seen, and it was the perfect place for students to practice their Spanish with local shopkeepers. 

Zaragoza

On the second leg of the trip, the group traveled to the city of Zaragoza. While not quite as walkable as Valladolid due to its larger size, the group did see a lot of the city center. One of the most important sites was the El Pilar Cathedral, a baroque style Catholic church dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary under the title Our Lady of Pillar. During the walking tour of the city the group also visited the ruins of a Roman theater as well as a Roman bathhouse. Thanks to a lot of coordination with a local school director and English teacher, CDH students were again able to connect with Spanish students, this time at the La Salle Montemolín school. Spending several full days at school with Spanish students, the CDH group had the opportunity to meet and get to know the group of 13 Spanish students that will come to CDH for two weeks this fall. Students also took in lectures in Spanish from several Montemolin teachers and were also able to attend the graduation ceremony for the group of Spanish students that visited CDH last fall. While in Zaragoza, the group stayed in the Brothers’ residence of the Lasallian school, Gran Vía. The Brothers were such great hosts and enjoyed talking to the group about a variety of topics such as the history of the school, the role of the church in the community, and even Spanish basketball. 

Pyrenees Mountains

One of the group’s greatest adventures while in Zaragoza, was a day trip to the south of France to see the Pyrenees Mountains. Near the town of Pau, the group traveled in cable cars part way up the mountain, then the Petit train d'Artouste, a small open-car tourist train, brought them to their final destination where they ate lunch overlooking a lake and took in the view of the clouds among the mountains. 

Barcelona

The trip culminated in the beautiful city of Barcelona where the main attraction was the breathtaking Sagrada Familia, a Catholic church designed by renowned architect Antoni Gaudí. A guide provided an explanation of some of the most important design elements of the church and the CDH group attempted (but was largely unable) to capture the building’s enormity and breathtaking beauty in photos and videos. In addition, the group visited the Parque Güell, also designed by Gaudí, which again displayed his typical style of curved (rather than straight) lines. 

Students got a small taste of the cultural richness and beauty of Spain on this trip and there was a little bit of something for everyone. Hopefully it inspired future travel adventures. At the heart of this trip was the Lasallian relationships that were developed between CDH and the two schools in Spain. It was a beautiful experience to travel that far from home, but still be connected to the Lasallian community. “This trip strengthened the bond that we share with the Lasallian schools in Spain.” said Ms. Medellin. “This bond will grow as the group of students come to visit our CDH campus in mid-September.”