Students Trade midwest Autumns for Spanish Culture During Fall Break
MADRID, SPAIN – While many students spent their fall break relaxing at home, a group from Meijer University recently embarked on a whirlwind tour of Spain, immersing themselves in the country’s rich history, vibrant culture, and renowned hospitality. The four-day trip, completed between 2024/10/11 and 2024/10/14, offered a unique educational experience beyond the classroom, fostering cross-cultural understanding and creating lasting memories.
This immersive experience comes as study abroad and experiential learning opportunities gain prominence in higher education, providing students with a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized world. The trip’s success highlights the value of these programs in broadening perspectives and enhancing personal growth. For the Meijer University students involved, the journey was a packed itinerary of iconic landmarks, culinary adventures, and genuine human connection.
The group’s Spanish adventure began in Barcelona, where they visited the Sagrada Familia, Antoni Gaudí’s breathtaking basilica. From there, they journeyed to Montserrat, ascending the mountain via cogwheel train to explore a thousand-year-old monastery and basilica. “The whole mountain was beautiful,” said student Sarah Roiseland, “And it was full of rich history.”
Their exploration continued with a wine tasting excursion at the Oller del Mas winery, a family-owned estate boasting 36 generations of winemaking tradition. The Roiselands than undertook a four-hour drive to Valencia, where they captured family portraits and explored the city.
Roiseland emphasized the warmth of the Spanish people,recounting a notably meaningful experience: “In Valencia,we experienced firsthand the warmth and hospitality of the Spanish people through meeting my sister’s host family.” Despite the fast pace, Roiseland affirmed the trip’s value. ”We packed in as much as possible for the four days I was there, and even though the time was short, the memories I made were invaluable,” she stated.
