During October half-term, GCSE Spanish students travelled to Barcelona to immerse themselves in the culture and put their language skills to the test. Lily, Amelia and Angelina share their experiences…
Lily…
Barcelona is a city known for its rich history, stunning architecture, vibrant culture and delicious cuisine. My recent trip there was a whirlwind of new experiences that took me from the kitchen to the theme park, from awe-inspiring landmarks to heart-warming interactions with local children. Throughout, I had the opportunity to explore the city’s culinary heritage, visit one of its most iconic structures, and embrace the thrill of adventure – all while learning more about the Spanish language and culture.
The first highlight of our trip was a Spanish cookery class, where we got to follow a wide variety of traditional Spanish recipes. As well as the actual cooking, we had to remember our ingredients and pay for them ourselves. The experience not only introduced me to the vibrant flavours of Catalan cuisine, but also gave me a deeper appreciation for the country’s culinary culture.
Another unforgettable part of the trip was our visit to PortAventura, one of Europe’s largest theme parks, located just outside of Barcelona. I made some unforgettable memories and it was one of my favourite days.
One of the most rewarding experiences was the opportunity to speak with children at a local Spanish school. We had so many things in common with them, even though they lived in a different country. The interaction was not just educational, but it also highlighted the importance of connecting with people from different parts of the world.
Our trip to Barcelona was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that left me with lasting memories and a deeper appreciation for Spanish culture. From the stunning beauty of the Sagrada Família to the meaningful conversations with local children, each moment added something special to our journey. Barcelona is a city that combines the best of history, adventure and cultural exchange, and I left feeling inspired and enriched by the experiences I had there.
Angelina…
During our five-day trip to Barcelona, we had an incredible time exploring the city’s iconic attractions. We started with a visit to Park Güell, where we spent the day soaking in the beauty of Gaudí’s unique designs and the park’s stunning views of Barcelona. We also explored the Sagrada Família, a masterpiece of architecture that’s still under construction after more than a century.
To top off our adventure, we spent a thrilling day at PortAventura, an exciting theme park with rides and shows that provided us with an amazing experience and we had lots of fun. It had something for everyone, but the highlight for us was definitely the rollercoasters.
In the evening, we visited a Spanish shopping centre, which was a fantastic way to experience local life. The mall was filled with both locals and tourists. We spent some time exploring the shops, picking up a few souvenirs, and immersing ourselves in the Spanish way of life.
We had so much fun taking part in a cookery class where we learned to make a traditional Spanish tortilla de patatas (Spanish omelette). The class was so informative, and we started by shopping in a Spanish supermarket to buy all the ingredients. The cooking class was a fun and authentic way to immerse ourselves in the culture, and the tortilla we made was delicious!
On our last day in Barcelona, we had the amazing opportunity to visit a local Spanish school. There, we were able to interact with Spanish students and share stories about our lives in England. It was a unique experience to communicate with children our age and practice our Spanish.
Amelia…
During our trip to Barcelona, we had the opportunity to explore some of the city’s most iconic attractions. One of the highlights was visiting Park Güell, where we took a guided tour through Gaudí’s colorful and imaginative masterpiece. The park’s distinctive architecture and stunning views of the city made it a memorable experience.
Next, we spent a day at PortAventura Theme Park, which offered many adrenaline-pumping rides and attractions for everyone. There was also a terrifying Halloween-themed walkway path which we accidentally walked through as we were trying to use the map to find our way back to the teachers! The vibrant atmosphere and variety of rides at the theme park made it very enjoyable.
The trip also included a visit to the remarkable Sagrada Família, Gaudí’s unfinished cathedral. Its complex impressions and stunning interior left us in awe of the architect’s intricate ideas. Each day was packed with fun activities.
One of the nights we went to the mall and enjoyed looking around the shops which was a fantastic opportunity to experience local life in Barcelona and use our Spanish language skills, communicating with locals. Another night we had a cookery class, where we made a traditional Spanish omelette.
On our last day in Barcelona we went to a Spanish school by metro which was an amazing opportunity to experience day-to-day Spanish life. We were able to find out lots about Barcelona and learned many Spanish games. We also told the students lots about England. It was a great opportunity to be able to communicate with people our age in Spanish.