Bienvenidos

Spain and Portugal came alive for 12 students over spring break as they explored beautiful nature, marvelous cathedrals, and colorful street shops. From Barcelona to Lisbon, the adventure was filled with unforgettable moments!

The architecture on the trip, specifically the cathedrals in Portugal and Spain, is much grander than in the US. This was a highlight for some of the students. Practicing new languages is also an important part of an international trip.

“My favorite part of the trip was being able to see all of the different Cathedrals. They don’t make cathedrals and basilicas like that in the United States," explained sophomore Ian Garza. “[I also liked] being able to practice my Spanish. I think it really helped me grow and understand the importance of immersion and speaking Spanish with other people.”

While the trip itself was inspiring and fun, some parts of the trip were physically demanding or exhausting. Traveling to another time zone makes it even harder.

“The sleep schedule was poorly planned, and I did not enjoy having to stay up for 35+ hours straight for the first day; it was exhausting,” sophomore Emmett Cook commented. 

One of the cities on the trip, Seville, in Spain, was a memorable experience for some. It was the 3rd destination on the trip.

“Seville, the Spanish city, was very colorful, full of life, and had so many wonderful flowers and vines growing everywhere,” said sophomore River Meineke. 

Other students loved the architecture and interesting style of buildings compared to those in the United States. The buildings are much older than the ones in the US, giving them a gothic or romanesque look.

“My favorite part of Portugal and Spain was all the unique architecture. It's very different from the US, and there are so many different statues, buildings, and cathedrals that are so cool to just look at and appreciate,” remarked Penny Rodgers.

Another city, Evora, was a gorgeous sight to see. The cathedrals went high up off the ground, allowing people to view the entire city from the top. 

“One unforgettable moment was when we were in Evora, Portugal. When we went on the terrace of the Cathedral in Evora and saw the view. It was so breathtaking and beautiful,” stated Garza. “You could see the classic stucco tile roofs and just feel the peace.”

Some students mentioned that the cultures in Spain and Portugal are different from the culture in the United States. Including the language, meal times, and general habits.

“It’s similar to the U.S. in ways, but I notice that they take lunch very seriously and usually have more than 1-hour lunches. Everything also opens later rather than super early like we do here,” sophomore Kyael Voye said.

The weather during the trip was usually cloudy and rainy, leaving many soaked for the whole day.

“It was rainy the whole time, so other than the last day in Barcelona where everyone else and I got soaked, it was fine as long as you had an umbrella or poncho,” Cook explained. “Overall, I don’t have too much of an issue with the rain, but it could have been better.”

For some participants who were not prepared, the weather was more of an issue. Since the rain lasted all day, students could end up being wet and soaked the entire day.

“I probably would have brought an umbrella or a good quality rain jacket because of the rainy weather that was happening while we were out there,” Meineke expressed. 

A lot of people enjoyed the unique food on the trip given there were different cuisines compared to the US. In Spain and Portugal, it is more common to eat seafood.

“[The food] was lovely. I got to try so many iconic dishes and foods like paella and pastel de Nata. Everything was crafted with care put into it there,” Voye declared. 

The Spain and Portugal trip was an amazing trip for everyone who went on it. From bonding with friends to learning to exploring the cities, the trip was remarkable and a good learning experience for all. 

“I would say the experience was unforgettable. It was really fun to bond with all of the people on the trip, especially since almost all of them were sophomores. So I think that was just a blast,” Garza remarked.