Exeter Students Travel Abroad to Spain, Portugal

EXETER, NH - A group of Exeter High School students had a chance to put their foreign language skills to the test when they took a trip to Portugal and Spain recently.

During February break, Feb. 23-March 2, 16 sophomores, juniors and seniors along with their teachers traveled to Europe to bring their Spanish lessons to life.

Spanish teachers Sam Heath, Nicole Vernon and Jennifer Delorie organized the trip with the help of Students Love Travel -- an organization that brings small groups to locations of their choosing to explore the world with personalized lessons, activities and events.

Once abroad, students were responsible for navigating through busy streets, choosing restaurants, ordering off menus (in Spanish) and guiding each other through historical and cultural spots.

Beginning in Lisbon, Portugal, students spent a day learning about the city before heading to Madrid, Spain. Once there, the group traveled to Segovia, where they were awed by the 2,000-year-old Roman aqueduct and ate the local specialty cochinillo asado (roast suckling pig).

Another day, students headed to Toledo, the former capital of Spain, and ventured down its winding streets that led to the workshop of Mariano Zamorano, one of the last sword makers in all of Spain. The group was able to head inside and watch the men craft hand-made swords and knives from high-quality alloy.

The group also saw art, both old and new, climbed cathedral towers and toured the Real Madrid soccer stadium.

"This was a fantastic adventure that was filled with breathtaking sights, delicious food and numerous opportunities for students to practice their foreign language skills with Spaniards," Delorie said. "Educational trips like these are so valuable because it allows us as teachers to take our lessons outside the classroom and for students to experience the cultures they learn about in their textbooks."

Courtesy Photo - Exeter HS - Left to right: sophomore Laura Mustard, junior Jenna Dube, Spanish teacher Jennifer Delorie, senior Renee Bryan, senior Allison Jones, Spanish teacher Nicole Vernon, junior Rhys Forster, sophomore Josh Driscoll, junior Nick van der Merwe, junior Garrett Frattali, junior Morgan Kunysz, sophomore Carol Diaz, sophomore Riley Griem, sophomore Kayla Rowell, sophomore Alexis LaPia, sophomore Marissa Catania, junior Elisabeth Baldasaro and junior Meghan Rocha in Toledo, Spain.