From practicing Spanish with locals to exploring centuries-old architecture, Del Mar’s upcoming Spain trip is designed to transform classroom learning into a real-world experience for students this summer.
Organized by Spanish teachers, Rubith Huizar and Joanna Chacon, the 11-day trip will take 15 students across Spain through an educational tour provided by EF Educational Tours. The trip focuses on more than travel and sightseeing, aiming instead to immerse students in the Spanish language, culture and history in an authentic setting.
According to Huizar, the purpose of the trip is centered around education rather than tourism.
“The students are not traveling just for fun,” Huizar says. “The activities are hands-on, student-centered and above all, educational and enjoyable.”
Before the trip was finalized, informational meetings were held for students and families to ensure everyone understood the academic focus of the experience. Huizar explained that the goal of the meetings was to clarify that the trip is an extension of classroom learning, not a vacation.
“We wanted our students to immerse themselves in Spanish culture and learn more about the language and culture firsthand,” Huizar says.
Because the trip is connected to Spanish classes, students will have opportunities to apply language skills outside of the classroom in real-world situations.
Instead of practicing vocabulary through assignments or conversations in class, students will be able to communicate with native speakers, navigate daily life in Spain and experience the language in a natural environment.
Senior Jaydda Estrada shares her thoughts as a fluent Spanish speaker.
“It is exciting to put my second language to use,” she says. “Being able to travel to Europe and to know that I will be able to communicate with the locals is a very comforting feeling, as well as exciting. Although being away from home for two weeks will feel long, I know that these two weeks away are also needed.”
The experience also connects strongly to the International Baccalaureate program’s emphasis on global awareness and student growth.
Through travel, students are exposed to new perspectives that can’t always be taught through textbooks alone. This encourages learners to become more open-minded and reflective.
Beyond language learning, the trip also ties into subjects such as history and art. Students will visit cultural landmarks, museums and historical sites that connect directly to topics studied in school.
Seeing these places in person allows students to better understand the historical and artistic significance behind what they learn in class.
Huizar emphasized that experiences like this can have a lasting impact on students’ personal growth.
“These types of trips help students become better global citizens and encourage them to look beyond what they experience at home,” Huizar says.
She also shared that this is her first year organizing an international trip at Del Mar High School, though she has led similar student travel experiences in the past.
Due to scheduling challenges and the complexity of summer travel, participation was initially limited mainly to Spanish classes. However, Huizar hopes the program will expand in future years to include more students.
At present, 15 students are set to participate in the 11-day journey. The trip required extensive planning, including informational meetings and coordination with families to ensure students understood both the cost of around $7,500 per person and the academic purpose of the experience.
Senior Leonardo Ayala has been on the route to IB Spanish since his freshman year.
“I chose IB Spanish because I wanted the Seal of Biliteracy; I had no expectations. I found out at the start of senior year that there was gonna be a trip to Spain and decided why not go.”
As the summer trip approaches, students are preparing for more than just travel. They are preparing for an opportunity to apply what they’ve learned in the classroom to real life.
The Spain trip highlights how education can extend beyond school walls, turning lessons in language, culture and global understanding into lived experience.
