Midway Reflection: A Message from your Program Manager
Thursday, July 10th
Midway Reflection: A Message from your Program Manager
Dear Parents and Guardians,
I can’t believe we have already reached the midway point. I hope you have been following our Instagram account: @gsaportugalspain2025. With the stories, posts and reels, our amazing Activity Coordinator McKay and I have tried to give you all a small window into what it’s like to be on a Global Summers Program.
In just 13 days, we have visited so many places and done so many things. From exploring the Portuguese cities of Lisbon and Porto, swimming and surfing in Nazare, exploring Bilbao in the heart of Basque country, witnessing the running with the bulls in Pamplona, to now exploring the incredible capital of Spain, Madrid. We have spent many hours on the bus traversing the Iberian Peninsula. We have also learned how to use the metro, for many students, for the very first time.
I am amazed at how well this group of students has immersed themselves in the Portuguese and Spanish culture. Not only are they keeping up with their schoolwork, but they are making time to explore the architecture, history, art and food that these countries have to offer.
We, as staff, have tried to expose them to as many of these incredible places as possible each day. Whether in-class, by taking them to so many breathtaking historical sites and gardens, or outside of class by taking them to the “must see” locations in each region. Not to mention, making sure they learn how to identify real gelato, to where to find the best custard tarts.
What is amazing is that we have managed to do all this on foot. After all, the best way to explore the European continent is by walking around. We have averaged over 20,000 steps a day. Despite all this, this amazing group of students has spent very little time at the hotel. Even with all the walking around, they are still taking the opportunities to go out each night and explore some more on their own. From back-to-school clothes shopping, to finding that perfect gift for family and friends back home, to chasing sunsets and new gelato places, they have been doing it all.
I am very excited to share the second half of our program with them. We still have many places to explore, many sunrises and sunsets to chase, more gelato to taste and most importantly many more lifetime memories to make.
Please stay tuned for many more stories and reels to come your way.
On behalf of all the staff on our program, thank you for giving your child this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We will make sure they remember this for a very long time.
Adios for now,
Bertan
Program Manager
Portugal and Spain Program
