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Rising ninth graders learn and explore in Salamanca

A group of Ransom Everglades rising ninth-graders embarked on a whirlwind, two-week immersion trip to Salamanca, exploring the historic streets of Spain and enjoying a cultural deep dive from June 13-27. Led by World Languages Department Chair James Monk and Spanish teacher Renée Rodríguez, the annual journey combined enriching morning academic classes with afternoon cultural adventures, eye-opening excursions and local family homestays designed to develop students' language proficiency and global awareness.
“The Salamanca trip is brilliant because it grants students the independence they are seeking at this age, while also providing them the structure they still need,” Dr. Monk said. “Students learn not only the language and cultural lessons, they also develop real-life skills in self-management, interpersonal communication, and problem-solving, all in an authentic context. This trip directly connects to our department's mission and our vision of preparing RE graduates.”

The cornerstone of the trip was the students' daily routine in Salamanca, where they balanced formal education with real-world practice. Each weekday, students began the day with four hours of dedicated language classes. To fully integrate into Spanish life, students stayed with local host families, sharing daily lunches and dinners with them. Afternoon activities in Salamanca allowed students to apply their language skills in active, engaging environments that featured:
  • Cultural Lessons: A hands-on Tortilla Española cooking class and a Salsa dance session.
  • Recreation and Sports: Playing padel tennis at a local indoor club, paddleboating along the Tormes River, and playing pick-up games at a local park.
  • City Exploration: Interactive scavenger hunts through the city center, a specialized "graffiti" scavenger hunt, and a twilight "Legends with Ice Cream" tour.
  • Gastronomy: Evening tapas tours giving students a taste of traditional Spanish culinary customs.
Beyond the classroom, the itinerary featured excursions to some of Spain’s most significant historical sites. The journey began in Madrid, where students toured the Royal Palace before traveling to Salamanca. Over the course of the two weeks, the group ventured around and outside of the city to experience regional history firsthand. Students took part in guided architectural visits to Salamanca’s iconic monuments, its Roman and Gothic cathedrals, and climbed the Ieronimus tower for a panoramic view of the city. They also traveled to the Peña de Francia monastery and explored the historic, preserved village of La Alberca.

A full-day excursion took the class to the walled city of Ávila before moving onward to Segovia. There, students toured the city center and visited the iconic Alcázar of Segovia, taking in the fortress's famous architecture and views. The group spent a day at a traditional Salmantino farm, where they experienced rural Spanish culture through horseback riding and a tractor tour, followed by a traditional lunch of homemade paella, salad and cured meats.

The immersion trip concluded with an overnight stay in the historic city of Toledo. Students participated in a specialized workshop focusing on el damasquinado (the traditional Toledo craft of Damascene metalwork), visited the El Greco and Sefardí museums, and embarked on a comprehensive walking tour of the city. The final evening featured a trip to the Puy du Fou historical theme park for a performance of El Sueño de Toledo. The nighttime spectacle brought 1,500 years of Spanish history to life through live performances, music and special effects, marking a memorable end to the educational experience before the group caught their return flight from Madrid to Miami.

Following the success of this year's program, Ransom Everglades plans to expand next year's adventure, welcoming both rising ninth- and tenth-grade students to participate.
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2045 South Bayshore Drive, Coconut Grove, FL 33133
Phone: 305 250 6850

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Founded in 1903, Ransom Everglades School is a coeducational, college preparatory day school for grades 6 - 12 located on two campuses in Coconut Grove, Florida. It is rated the top private school in Miami and among the 10 private schools in North America. Ransom Everglades School produces graduates who "believe that they are in the world not so much for what they can get out of it as for what they can put into it." The school provides rigorous college preparation that promotes the student's sense of identity, community, personal integrity and values for a productive and satisfying life, and prepares the student to lead and to contribute to society.


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