Over spring break this year, a group of Big Sky students took a trip to Spain. This trip was for students in language classes only, school staff said, and was meant to provide them with a taste of a foreign country and give perspective on other cultures. 

The 13 students and 3 chaperones visited Madrid and Barcelona over the course of six days.  They visited major landmarks in both cities, such as Plaza de Espana, Calle Mayor, Gran Via, Cibeles Fountain, and more in Madrid. They also went to  the Mercat de la Boqueria, Las Ramblas, and the Columbus Monument in Barcelona. 

“This trip provided the participating students with experiences they would never have gotten otherwise,” said Debi Turner, Big Sky office staff member and one of the adult chaperones on the trip. “Just seeing the different cultures and how people live differently in different parts of the country, along with the beautiful sites and stuff.” 

Tanner Whipple, a student on the trip, also talked about experiencing things he wouldn’t have otherwise. 

“My favorite part was going to see the castles and eating and the Spanish food,” Whipple said.

Along with experiencing the culture of Madrid and Barcelona,  students also built strong bonds with  each other on the trip, Turner said. 

“The teachers and I were very impressed with how well everyone got along,” Turner said. 

Whipple agreed. “I thought we all had a good time together.”

 Emma Keffeler, Big Sky Spanish teacher and another chaperone on the trip, also commented on the strong friendships formed. 

 “Even before we left, once students found out who was going on the trip, they became friends with them, and the ones who were already friends had their bonds deepened,” Keffeler said. 

Regardless of the positive relationships formed, the trip also had a few challenges along the way. 

“It was hard making sure everybody was at the right place at the right time,” Turner said.

Keffeler added on to this sentiment, talking specifically about transportation. 

”The scariest part for me was getting on the public transportation. We took metro trains and it was always like, hurry up and get on the train, get where we’re going, get off the train, and count them all again.”

Overall, Keffeler said  it was a great success that gave students a taste of Europe. 

“It was really a unique opportunity for students from Montana who maybe don’t get to travel that often,” Keffeler said.