Riverwood Students Take Part In Spanish Study-Abroad Program

SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The summer break was a special one for seven students and two educators from Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs.

The group spent two weeks in Seville, Spain, and surrounding areas as part of the Riverwood inaugural Spanish language and cultural immersion study abroad program.

The trip was led by Riverwood International Baccalaureate and Spanish language teachers Lorraine Lynch and Donna Vargas. The program was offered in conjunction with Centro MundoLengua, a private international language school and educational tour operator.

Over the course of 12 days in June, Riverwood students attended structured language courses each morning and after lunch, experienced Spanish culture through various group activities throughout Seville and surrounding areas. Highlights included visits to Seville’s cultural treasures including the Alcazar, the Plaza de Espana and a trip to La Alhambra in Granada.

Students also learned to dance the Sevillana (traditional flamenco dance from Seville), attended an authentic flamenco show, learned to cook paella and experienced the traditional Arab baths which date back to the ninth century.

All classes, lessons, and tours were conducted completely in Spanish, and the students lived in private homes for the majority of the trip and benefited from full language immersion during their home stays.

Friends and family of the students traveling were able to follow their adventures on social media via Twitter and Instagram (@RiverwoodSpain) and their blog (RiverwoodSpain.Weebly.com).

“This inaugural trip was the chance of a lifetime for Riverwood students to experience Spanish language, history and culture in an intimate, authentic setting," Lynch said. "The length of time allowed the students to truly immerse themselves and learn what it is like to live like a true Spaniard. Our students agreed that living with a Spanish family and being immersed in the language improved their understanding and ability to speak Spanish. In addition, they referred to the trip as "life-changing" and would have loved to have stayed even longer."

In addition to student fundraising, the trip was supported by the Riverwood Foundation, a nonprofit whose mission is to support initiatives that enhance the learning experience for every student at Riverwood International Charter School.

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Photo: Rachel Nichols, Mary Crawford Esslinger, Robert Breeser, Jazmine Williams, Ryan Belfi, Christopher Bauguss, Talia Skollar, and Spanish tour guide, Mario. Credit: Riverwood International Charter School