Summer Spanish Immersion students to go on service learning project

For 10 days over the summer, a group of Samo Spanish immersion students and their teacher will embark on an expedition to Nicaragua to aid children at an all-girls orphanage and explore Nicaraguan culture.Spanish Immersion teacher Claudia Bautista and 10-15 of her students will stay near an orphanage where they will service the community by installing solar panels, helping with clean water access or helping the local schoolhouse. Students will stay with families during the day, and in the evenings they will take trips roaming through the forests, hiking up volcanoes and surfing in the ocean. The students will be backed by Ren Fuller-Wasserman from Vault Abroad, the organization that will be supporting their trip.“I'm really excited about this trip because it sounds like an experience unlike anything that I've done before,” Ruby Baruth (’15) said. “I'm hoping that I will receive the benefit of understanding other cultures and where and how they really need help.”Vault Abroad is an international service learning organization that gives high school students opportunities to explore the world around them through experiential education, adventure, cultural exchange and service.“I'm excited to visit the all-girls orphanage and participate in the home stay,” Gabriella Landay said. “We will be leading games, sports and craft activities which could make an impact on [the girls’] lives, and staying with a family could give [me] a sense of their community and daily lives.”According to a trip overview handed out to the participants, students will take part in four types of activities while on their trip — intensive Spanish study, service, adventure and cultural exchange.“I really hope it will be a transformative trip for my students. Many have experienced Spanish only in the classroom and this will give them the opportunity to live with a Spanish Speaking family.”  Bautista said. “I am very excited that this is finally taking shape.  I really like the philosophy behind Vault Abroad.  I hope more students will be interesting in going this summer or maybe in the years to come.”