Intense week for our students of the program AYSPAIN (Academic Year in Spain) of the 2018-2019 academic year. They all come from different areas of the United States and Canada, and chose our country to study this school year. During this time they will be hosted by Spanish families, with whom they will surely live an unforgettable cultural exchange experience.
To begin with, prior to the living together with the families, Aston Herencia organizes year after year an orientation week for these students. It is about making a group, making them feel part of the same experience, as well as providing intensive classes in Spanish and, of course, talking about what will be their host country for a year.
Bellow we tell you the details of this week and everything the students have come to visit in Madrid before heading to the cities they will live in during this entire course.
Sunday
The very same day they landed in Madrid, last Sunday, they had the chance to visit some of the most emblematic places in the city. We went through the central Puerta del Sol square, where we explained them the location of the Km 0 of the country, as well as the meaning of the symbol of the Statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree (in Spanish “El Oso y el Madroño”). Of course we did not miss a walk through Plaza Mayor square and San Miguel market. There were also moments to rest, and what a better way than taking a delicious chocolate with churros ?
Monday
On Monday the students began the training sessions at the offices of Aston Herencia. This was intended to provide them with more information about the program and the course of the next months. In the evening, the students had free time to visit Plaza de España and Temple of Debod and to travel the heights in a cable car. This last they enjoyed it the most!
Tuesday
On Tuesday, the first Spanish lessons began. Aiming to achieve greater participation among the students, the classes took a very practical approach. There was time to play and for relaxed conversations to get to know each other and, above all, to practice a lot of Spanish. In the afternoon, a place awaited for everyone … it was time to visit the Prado Museum.
Wednesday
On Wednesday, the Spanish classes continued. Unlike the first day, everyone started to get a bit more comfortable with the language. Hence, after a morning of work dynamics and concentration, in the afternoon they could rest in the emblematic Retiro Park. There, they did not miss the opportunity to get on the boats of the pond. We continued the tour through the park and went to the Glass Palace and to Puerta de Alcalá. After having dinner, they visited one of the most famous sites in the city, the Royal Palace.
Thursday
On Thursday last Spanish classes took place. Our students were already much more comfortable with the Spanish. In the evening we visited the Faro de Moncloa, La Almudena Cathedral and the Sabatini Gardens. But the best of the day was yet to come! At night we went up to the roof of the Circulo de Bellas Artes to enjoy one of the best sunsets in the city.
Friday
And that’s how fast the end of the week came! On Friday morning we accompanied the students to the bus and train stations, from where they moved to their respective host cities.
Now … the real adventure begins. Happy course to all of them!
