Brookwood students cultivate new experiences in Spain

THOMASVILLE: Following their 10 day voyage to various Spanish cities – including Salamanca, Madrid, Toledo, Torremolinos, and Barcelona – a group of 21 Brookwood School juniors and seniors returned to the States as novice bull fighters, flamenco dancers, and tapas conesours.

“It is fun for the students to have hands-on experience with that type of cultural practice in addition to watching it,” said Dr. Jeremy Kasten, Brookwood’s Director of College Counseling.

Kasten successfully led his third summer excursion with Brookwood School and fulfilled his individual twentieth trip to Spain. 

Kasten said that his twentieth trip being with his students attests to the fact that he is passionate about Spain and Brookwood School. “Being able to share this experience with them is the perfect way for me to return to Spain,” Kasten states.

Global studies teacher Mandi Cuevas, history teacher Wallace Marsh, and Spanish teacher Danielle Posey joined Kasten in ensuring students were able to get the most out of their time overseas.

Posey recalls students’ initial experiences abroad. In particular, the first time witnessing the Plaza Mayor light up in Salamanca, feeling the passion of a flamenco show, becoming mesmerized by the beauty of the Alhambra, tasting gazpacho and paella, and their first experiences making international friends during their travels.

“These are the real life learning experiences that could never be replicated in the classroom and that makes me proud each time I travel with students. Learning comes to life with travel,” Posey says about watching students navigate through experimental tasks.

“I will continue to share real life experiences and applications of the language in my lessons [in the classroom] and foster their thirst for travel,” she said.

Along with their instructors, Brookwood’s travelers included Peggy Boltja ‘23, Hendley Bryan ‘23, Mary Claire Chapman ‘23, Nic Clark ‘24, Elizabeth Cohen ‘24, Hutton Daniel ‘24, Katherine Jones ‘24, Katie Knifer ‘23, Abby McCaskill ‘24, Caroline Miller ‘23, Tori Noah ‘23, Anna Lauri Parrott ‘24, Jeremy Patz ‘24, Hannah Richardson ‘23, Spencer Richardson ‘23, Anna Ryan ‘23, Oskar Thompson ‘24, Justice Widener ‘23, Lana Walker ‘24, Cole Warren ‘24 and Naya Williams ‘24.