This summer, 17 students and 3 teachers set off to Spain. They lived with different families for 3 weeks learning about Spain’s culture and what life is like halfway across the world. From learning about the culture, to what you should bring, this is everything you need to know about the Spanish Exchange.
The Lodi students left on July 25th from the Chicago Airport and arrived at the Madrid Airport on July 26th. This was the first time most of them would be meeting the people they would be staying with for the next couple of weeks. These people quickly became very close friends and many are considered family. After they left they got to go see the houses they would be living in.
“I went to the north of Spain in the town of Pola de Siero.” A junior at Lodi High School, Norah Gruel said. She got to stay with her exchange student who came to our small town for a couple of weeks this summer to learn what life is like in America. Then they traveled back together. Another student stayed in a different town called Ovideo in a part of Spain called Asturias. “It was really cool that we all got to stay in different parts of Asturias,” said Lexie Bishop, one of our juniors who went to Spain this summer. Some exchange students spent their days at the beach since it was so close to their houses and other people got to travel around other parts of Spain with their host families. They went on trips as a group to other parts of the country to see things like the Santiago Bernabéu
Stadium, castles, and going on long hikes to see the beautiful nature. But there were also many things you could do in the town you were staying.
Lexie Bishop claimed that if you like shopping, Ovideo is the place to go. “I thought it was a really cute and clean city. There were tons of stores and it was not too touristy.” She also went swimming in the ocean with her host sister in Gijon, an amazing beach on the coast of Spain.
Next, we have some amazing tips that could greatly improve your stay. A junior, Mia Walstad has great advice for what you should bring when traveling. “I recommend bringing a converter outlet with multiple plug-ins on it.” Since Spain uses different outlets than the United States it would be wise to bring a converter to charge your phone and any other electronics you might be using. I also got recommendations that you should bring a portable charger because your phone will die quickly from all of the photos you are taking. In addition, Jim McKellar, one of our Spanish teachers here at Lodi High School, mentions that you should consider bringing some extra cash with you. “I’m used to being able to use a card, but there were more places in that region where you had to pay cash.”
The trip was a huge success for all of the students who went. They gained life experience, a new perspective, and lifelong friendships. Just remember if you plan on traveling to Spain soon or later in your lifetime keep in mind some of these great tips and amazing places you could go.
