RE Spanish students travel to Salamanca for a cultural immersion

Diego Andrade '28, Webber Druckerman '28, Harlan Hoenig '28, Tomas Jimenez '28, Aleko Katsoufis '28, Allegra Orlofsky '28, Robbie Stieglitz '28, Ryan Vinocur '28 and Adam Wesoloski '28 were accompanied by World Languages Department Chair James Monk and middle school Spanish teacher Renée Rodriguez. Their journey began in Madrid before they made their way to Salamanca, nestled in the region of Castilla y León. Upon arrival, the students were met by their host families and settled into their new homes for the next two weeks.

On weekdays, the students attended morning Spanish classes at Colegio Delibes before returning to their homestays for lunch. Their afternoons and evenings were filled with a variety of cultural activities around the city, including a tapas tour, a cooking class, paddle boating on the Tormes River, and playing padel, a popular local sport. They also visited the city’s most famous landmarks, deepening their connection to the rich history and culture of Salamanca.

The weekends brought more adventures for these young travelers. They visited the walled city of Ávila, the home of Roman aqueducts, Segovia, and the monastery atop Peña de Francia, offering spectacular views and a chance to see a herd of mountain goats in their natural habitat. A visit to a bull farm in Castilla y León provided a fascinating glimpse into the history of bullfighting, complemented by a relaxing afternoon, horseback riding, and a delicious lunch of paella and locally-made cured meats. 

At the end of their stay, each student received a certificate of completion for the course – a moment of pride for RE's teachers. “It filled my heart to be able to provide such a rich opportunity for the students, helping them prepare for and excel in their upper school courses all while getting a taste of living in another country for a couple of weeks," Rodriguez said. "They improved their language skills and even more importantly, they gained new perspectives. Studying abroad at a young age changed my life and I hope these students feel the same way!”

The World Languages Department is excited to continue offering this immersion trip each June as a bridge between the middle and upper school. A virtual information session will be offered for parents in early fall, but for any immediate questions, feel free to reach out to Renée Rodriguez.

International travel and cultural immersion opportunities have long been available in RE's signature proficiency-based world languages program, which aims to produce students who communicate effectively and confidently in their target language, and our broader mission of graduating students who are global citizens. Recent Ransom Everglades trips have taken students not only to Spanish speaking regions like Spain and Puerto Rico, but also throughout Asia, France and Canada.

Ransom Everglades' signature world languages curriculum leads each student to a minimum level of proficiency in a chosen world language, but also offers each an opportunity for distinction. Many students earn the prestigious RE Seal of Biliteracy, which recognizes superior achievement in language studies. The Seal of Biliteracy reflects the challenging nature of our curriculum, the high standards Ransom Everglades maintains across all levels of language learning, and RE's emphasis on proficiency and mastery.