Brookwood students return from Spain with expanded world view
Students got to experience new cultures and practice their foreign language skills in Spain
THOMASVILLE — Over a span of 11 days this summer, a group of students from Brookwood School traveled to various cities in Spain — including Grenada, Segovia, Costa del Sol, Salamanca and Barcelona — trying new foods, visiting historical buildings and practicing their language skills with Spanish students their own age.
Jeremy Kasten, Brookwood’s Middle School Spanish teacher, led the trip, along with Upper School Spanish department chair Kandra Miller and Upper School art department chair Maureen Harrer.Kasten said a trip like this helps young travelers learn that the world outside of Thomasville is very large, with many cultural differences. At home, “We see a very limited culture with similar foods, customs and practices. By visiting other countries, we are reminded that the world is a very big place and the rest of the world doesn’t act and think just like we do,” he said.
“Experiencing new cultures and interacting with people from different walks of life helps students see things through a new lens and is beneficial for critical thinking, empathy and creativity,” Kasten said.
Students in attendance were seniors Mazie Barrett, Max Beverly, Jordon Brinkley, Curry Brinson, Marshall Jones, Jenna Merschman, Madelyn Murphy, Trenton Newman, Robin Richardson, Hill Turner and Natalie Tyler.
Juniors were Brianna Beach, Crichton Bryan, Abbey Cook, Ellie Harrer, William Lee, Peyton Middleton, Joe Parker and Lance Wortman. Thomasville native and Woodberry Forest student Parker Watt, also a junior, joined the group. The group got the chance to use the language that heretofore they had only practiced in the classroom, Miller said.
“Some students were fearless and used their Spanish language skills at every opportunity; I was impressed by the ease with which they were able to communicate,” she said.
“I saw a couple students, who while in the United States did not have a passion for the Spanish language, come alive during the trip and soak in all of the rich culture in which they were immersed,” Miller said. Brookwood’s travelers were well equipped with knowledge about the history and culture of Spain before the trip, Miller said.
“In this way, they were able to fully participate in the experience and understand many subtleties that someone with this prior knowledge could not,” she said.
Brookwood School
Located in Thomasville, GA, Brookwood School is a private school for grades JK-12. Students benefit from a challenging academic program, fine and performing arts, competitive athletics, and a wide selection of extracurricular activities.