Spanish Exchange Students Visit Westminster

Westminster Christian Academy recently welcomed 11 Spanish exchange students and the principal of Alpha and Omega Evangelical School in Denia, Spain, to St. Louis for two weeks.

The exchange is a direct result of the efforts of Westminster’s International Partnership Program, led by Dr. Dani Butler, and the program’s new study abroad component.

Westminster’s partner school relationship with Alpha and Omega began last October. Twenty-two Westminster students and three faculty visited the Spanish school in late May of last spring, initiating the first study abroad experience with the school.

This fall, the exchange has come full circle with the student and faculty visitors from Alpha and Omega studying at Westminster and experiencing American and St. Louis culture for their two-week stay.

The Spanish students are staying with Westminster host families for the duration of their visit. While at Westminster during the school day, they follow the class schedule of their host family’s student. After school, they participate in campus activities, attending varsity athletic games and special school events.

“The experience for these students is three-fold,” said Dr. Butler. “While they are in the States, they will have an American school experience, an American family and life experience, and a St. Louis cultural experience.” For all the students from Alpha and Omega, this is first time they have visited the United States.

“It’s like they are pioneers,” said Alpha and Omega Principal, Eunice Pastor. “Our goal [at Alpha and Omega] is to give our students the opportunity to have new experiences. We want to provide them with open doors and encourage them to expand their thinking.”

From the eager smiles and excited chatter of the Spanish students, it’s evident that they are enjoying their time at Westminster. “They want to talk about and explain everything they’ve seen,” said Mrs. Pastor. “They’ve been to Starbucks, seen fireworks, and watched the Forest Park Balloon Race. They love shopping (especially on visits to Target and the pet section!), and they love the sweet foods here.”

Mrs. Pastor has known these particular students since kindergarten. Alpha and Omega is a K-12 school, and all of the students have attended since they were young. “The students are so grateful and happy and are having a wonderful time with their host families,” said Mrs. Pastor. “Their families are so thankful, too, and I keep in touch with the parents each day to let them know how their students are doing. Everybody is smiling and that makes me happy. I’m glad they are so eager to share all the good things they are experiencing.”