North Shore High School Exchange Trip to Alicante, Spain

North Shore HS Students Spend 15 Days in Alicante, Spain (Article and Photos Below)

This past February, a group of Spanish students had the wonderful opportunity to participate in an exchange program with our sister school in Alicante, Spain. They spent fifteen days full of unforgettable experiences, starting with Carnaval (one of the most anticipated celebrations all year), followed by tours to Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona, where they visited cathedrals, castles, and museums, to name a few.

Students were challenged academically, as they needed to communicate with their host families, and everyone else, in Spanish, every day! As a result, their language skills improved significantly. They were also challenged personally, as they had to commit to adjust to a new environment while maintaining social poise. Being out of their ‘comfort zone’ made them more aware as individuals. They were able to, nonjudgmentally, appreciate a different way of life, and compare it to their own.

“The Alicante exchange trip was one of the best experiences of my life.” MR

“My host sister and I are so close now. I cannot wait to go back to Spain and visit her!” JS

“Spain was one of the best experiences of my life, with friendships and memories that will last a lifetime.” EG

“The exchange trip allowed me to experience the life of a Spanish teen, while being immersed in the culture first hand. The moments, laughs and friendships made will be forever cherished.” EB

“I will never forget this trip because I learned so much more about the Spanish language, history and culture; all while having so much fun at the same time! I created friendships in Spain and became better friends with the Americans on the trip.” JS

Being a participant in an exchange program is no easy task. We commend the North Shore High School students for rising, ever so grandiosely, to the occasion!

Article and photos by Madel Soriano-Mazzella, World Languages – Spanish Teacher Please note, these trips are paid for by the parents of the students participating