Heritage has many opportunities for students to travel during the summer. This upcoming summer, Ms. Bonnema and a few chaperones are taking 17 students to Portugal and Spain for a total of 9 days. They will visit Lisbon and Evora in Portugal for a total of 4 days, and Seville, Cordoba, and Madrid in Spain for a total of 5 days.
The trip is an opportunity to grow Spanish speaking skills and learn about Spanish culture. According to Bonnema, “We’re going to visit museums, do several activities, and stop at many small towns between Portugal and Spain. Students will get to experience new cultures and see the world through a different lens.”
Spanish culture is prominent around the world. Heritage trips like these require students to become surrounded and engulfed by new experiences. Bonnema highlights that for this particular trip, students were not required to be enrolled in a Spanish course to join. “I have many students that don’t speak Spanish. It will be a great trip because they will see different cultures, try different foods, and experience many new things.”
A few high points of the trip will include famous destinations such as the la Plaza de Espana, a beautiful plaza and set of many famous films including Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. They will also stop by la Mezquita in Córdoba, a historical cathedral and mosque prominent in Islamic and Catholic culture. Additionally, they will stop by the Museo Nacional del Prado to see works of Spanish art across history.
Traveling provides various benefits. Bonnema hopes students will “get to see how things are different outside of their city and country. They will perhaps see how other cultures and people live comparatively. I also hope that the trip will open their minds in regards to language, culture, and traditions.”
Among the 17 students participating in this summer trip is Emily A ’25. She explains, “I have been wanting to go to Spain for school and I feel like this is a good opportunity to see if I like the country and culture.” Emily is currently enrolled in Bonnema’s Spanish 3 class and adds, “I hope to better my conversational Spanish because right now it’s not very good.”
In terms of rooming, a group of around 4 students will share a room in every location. The trip will allow for bonding experiences and long lasting memories.
When asked what she is most excited about, Bonnema expressed, “The food! The food and so many other things like spending time with students and experiencing things that they haven’t experienced and that I haven’t yet experienced.”
It is a unique and unforgettable experience to taste a dish native to a country that is made in said country. Some of the foods common in Spain include gazpacho, paella, tapas, and tortilla española.
Spain and Portugal are particularly different from the United States. Emily highlights, “I’m most excited about going to Valencia because I’ve heard it’s very pretty and I’ve also looked into schools there.” Not only will students be able to experience cultural differences, but also look into opportunities for the future.
Traveling to a different country is not a small event. Not to worry, Ms. Bonnema has planned out the entire trip with detail, making it a stimulating and enjoyable opportunity.
As this last week of the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close and summer begins, send off our traveling Eagles with best wishes as they head off to explore Portugal and Spain!