Parents and Students:
The Foreign Language Department is proud to announce the Spanish Exchange program for the 2013-2014 school year. The program has proven to be the culmination of Spanish language learning for hundreds of Masconomet students throughout the decades. This is an intense language learning experience where students will be able to utilize the language that they have studied for years, gain a perspective and appreciation for another culture, and build relationships with life-long friends in another country.
We are recruiting a group of 15 to 25 students to travel to Spain. We are looking for students who are motivated to utilize their Spanish in college and their careers. Students must be juniors or seniors in their third or fourth year of Spanish and in good academic standing in all classes. Since are not holding a Spanish exchange this year, priority will be given to next year's seniors. Students who are on academic probation or who have any outstanding obligations will not be allowed to participate. All students who do participate must inform their teachers of their absence and make up any work that they miss during their time abroad.
Our trip will be facilitated through a well-established educational travel program, Prometour (www.prometour.com). They have been reliable partners with Masco for several years by providing our students with quality exchange experiences for a reasonable price. Prometour has put together a 15 day/13 night itinerary for our students. We would plan to spend two weeks in country around February or April vacation. The first day and a half would be spent touring Madrid and the surrounding area. On day two we would travel via train to our host school in Spain where students will meet with their host families. During the next 12 days students will attend classes at the host school and learn what it is like to live with a Spanish family. They will also have an opportunity to experience other historical places in Spain on day trips.
The total cost of the trip will be between $2,200 and $2,500 per student. The price includes airfare Boston to Madrid, airline taxes and fuel surcharges, the Prometour Basic Group Insurance Program, one night hotel in Madrid, and tour guides, admissions and buses for the city tours in Madrid and other cities. The price could vary depending on what activities we wish to partake in and the number of students who are attending. There are also additional costs for students related to passports, personal items, and lunches on particular days.
In addition, to promote self advocacy and to provide all students the opportunity to travel regardless of family income we are establishing the “Pay My Own Way” or “Yo Mismo” initiative. This initiative will allow students the opportunity to apply for foreign language travel scholarships and to commit to earning twenty-five, fifty, seventy-five or one hundred percent of the cost of the trip. Our goal is to encourage half of participating families to take part in the program.
This trip will be an unforgettable educational experience for our students. Furthermore students will be able to utilize the language that they have studied for years, gain a perspective and appreciation for another culture, and build relationships with lifelong friends in another country.
Feel free to contact me with any questions,
Jason Tierney