It's not a question of having time...it's about MAKING the time

It amazes me how much I learn as a teacher from my students. This adventure with CIEE has not only been a great learning experience for the students, but for the community of Palma, host families, teachers and me...a Program Leader. 

Students have shared with me what they have learned about the culture and the biggest thing - Family Time is really important. Whether it is eating a meal, talking about the day and politics, singing and dancing in the livingroom, going to the beach, or enjoying a cultural event...it is as a family.  For some students this is normal because their families are the same in the USA, while others shared that they enjoyed the slight differences in culture and seeing how life slows down a little more here in Spain. 

As a Spanish teacher, I was so excited for the students to have this opportunity to learn Spanish in Spain! They enjoyed cultural activities in the morning with our guides and other leaders speaking Spanish. Then had 3 hour class of Spanish, followed by Misión Ñ - community conversation in Spanish. Finishing their day with their host family in...you guessed it - Spanish!

So when the students took off together for lunch and free time and didn't go straight home for "la comida y siesta" I was confussed. They were missing out on some great culture and opportunity to practice their Spanish! Then I realized...no, they were MAKING time for another one of their goals - making real connections. 

Gabriel wrote in his reflection that he is so thankful for making some amazing friends on this trip that have made him laugh, helped him improve his Spanish skills, and overall made this experience more enjoyable. 

Felix detailed an experience, one of many, that really meant a lot to him. Throughout this trip he has been able to really get to know his fellow travelers, maybe even better than his friends back home because of the time spent together and unique oportunity of this program. This particular day they were all at Cala de Illetes and he remembers taking this photo and just having a profound feeling of joy, as he watched his new closest friends playing in the water just in front of him in such a peaceful place. 

Natalie was a little uncertain about celebrating her 16th birthday in Spain because she was sick the week before and away from friends and family.  Then her host mom asked if she would like to invite a few people from the group over for a party  she was totally surprised by this and even more when she realized she may not be at home in the USA, but she wasn’t really away from family and friends. Through the time she had spent here she had truly connected with people from all over the world. 

Often it was during this time that they talked about some of the culture and language aquisition that was unclear with eachother, their new confidants, that the "Aha" moments came. 

Sometimes when we Make time for one thing, it actually supports the bigger goal in the end. Thank you students for helping me see the Big Picture on this wonderful adventure! Palma Crew....until we meet again...No pasa nada <3