Tears were shed at the Philadelphia airport as Germantown Academy Upper School Spanish students said goodbye to exchange students from our partner school in Europa International School in Sevilla, Spain after their five-week stay.
“Many students said they felt like they had a new brother or sister living with them,” said Carlos Chubb, Upper School Spanish Teacher and Spain Exchange Assistant. The seven GA host families formed strong bonds with the students who stayed with them.
“Overall, the students from Spain loved GA school life,” Chubb said. “The freedom of the Upper School, the choices in the cafeteria, and being able to form personal connections with the faculty were just a few of the highlights.”
The host and exchange students visited the Art Museum, Convention Center, and Liberty Bell in Philadelphia as well as locations in New York City such as Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Wall Street, the Dumbo neighborhood, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, Central Park, and Summit Observatory at the Vanderbilt. They even got to see The Lion King on Broadway.
The students will be reunited in March, when GA host students take their turn as exchange students in Spain, immersing themselves in the culture and continuing to foster their international friendships.