Final Post

Hello everyone! 

Here are some final highlights from the last few days of the program. We ended with the Farewell Show that is a tradition of IUHPFL to say goodbye to families and highlight our students' talents. On Saturday, we hugged the host families goodbye before hearing to Madrid for our final excursion. 

In Madrid we visited to world renowned art museums, El Prado and Reina Sofia. Students were able to see the famous works by Salvador Dali and Picasso among other prestigious painters. We also enjoyed churros in Madrid and some students ate "bocadillo de calmares" which Madrid is known for. 

Ava and Aaron presented some awards for superlatives that the students voted on during the farewell show. Jackson received the award for the most athletic. Maya was nominated as the best dancer and Lily as the most creative. 

Here is the best dressed award going to Liliana. The nicest award went Abby and the best duo went to the host brothers, Lucas and Carlos. 

Saturday morning, giving hugs and saying goodbye! 

Sightseeing in Madrid and traveling by Metro. 

Saying goodbye to students that were picked up from the residence on our last day. 

Thank you everyone that made this a great experience for our students abroad. This group of 26 students will always have a special place in our hearts. Thank you for being such a great group of students to have had the pleasure of sharing this experience with. We wish you nothing but the best! 

Please enjoy the rest of your summer, recharge, and spend time with your loved ones! We look forward to hearing about all the amazing things you will do again in the future. Never stop being curious, traveling, and opening your hearts to new experiences in new places. 

-Almeria Team 

All about our host families!

Tomorrow we head out to Madrid from Almería for our final excursion before heading back home. This post is dedicated to our amazing host families. We thank you for being such gracious, kind, and patient families for our students. We know it will be hard saying goodbye tomorrow. 

Last week in Almería

 Hello everyone!

We are in our last week in Almería. Our students have impressed us with their willingness to step outside their comfort zone and take this journey on with an open mind and an open heart. 

Our students represented IUHPFL during a visit to the City Hall (Ayuntamiento) and met the Mayor (Alcaldesa). During our meeting, students read a letter they had previously written during class time and they were all volunteers!

"Archaeological site and museum collection. You can visit the site formed by an Andalusian neighborhood of the XI-XIII centuries (houses, streets, wells, etc.) and a collection of 118 pieces recovered during the excavations." 

-Mesón Gitano

Photos from class today! 

We hope you enjoyed this quick update! <3

Nijar & Cabo de Gata

Hello! 

This weekend our students had another awesome excursion, this time we went to a quaint town, Níjar, painted in white and other beautiful colors. After Níjar, we went to Cabo de Gata which is a National Park. 

In Níjar we took a steep walk up to the Tower, on our way we stopped to see the beautiful church that has beautiful wooden ceilings. We visited a water museum on our way up. After our hike, we made a stop at an artesanal museum that showcases local handcrafted "Jarapas" or rugs in English and lots of woven items from baskets to Christmas trees and ornaments. 

Our students learned about making pottery and painting from a local woman that started her craft when she was 7 years old. It was amazing watching how swift and expertly she painted, she made it look effortless!

At Cabo de Gata, we enjoyed the drive towards the scenic view where the lighthouse meets the sea. Unfortunately the windy conditions didn't allow our students to swim at the beach but they enjoyed sunbathing. 

Thank you for visiting! It's our last week, our students are getting excited to be home in their beds and missing their pets (and families) but they are also sad about leaving Spain. They will take all these memories with them! 

Photos from the artesanal musuem: 

Photo Credit: Monica