Every two years, during spring break, Spanish teacher Mrs. Sepe leads a group of students on an immersive trip to a Spanish-speaking country, offering them a chance to practice the language outside of the classroom as well as experience a new culture firsthand. For spring break of 2026, the travel destination is Central America, and the group will be traveling to both Costa Rica and Panama.
The trip will span the entire nine days of spring break students have. The group will begin their trip in Costa Rica and stay for five days. After Costa Rica, the group will travel to Panama and stay there for the remaining four days of spring break.
Mrs. Sepe said, “I purposely select countries where kids typically do not vacation with their families. So that the kids get to experience a location and culture that could be new to them.”
These culturally rich locations offer a promising adventure, cultural exchange and real-world language application for the students.
Experiences on this nine-day trip offer a plethora of opportunities to learn about culture and adventure. Activities students will be able to participate in include whitewater rafting, ziplining and exploring the tropical landscapes of Costa Rica and Panama. Students will also be able to meet and interact with local tribes and learn about their traditions and ways of life. Culinary experiences and cooking classes will also introduce students to native foods that are staples of the region’s cuisine, such as plantains, mangoes and beans.
The Spanish trip alternates between countries in Latin America and Spain through the years in order to give students diverse cultural experiences. With the trips taking place every one to two years, students who potentially missed the previous trips could attend the prospective trips in their four years of high school.
Gianna Zizzo (10), a student attending the trip, said, “Mrs. Sepe told me all about the previous trips, and I really want to go on this one since I didn’t get to go on the Spain one. I think it will be a fun time, especially with friends.”
To be eligible to attend this trip, students must be enrolled in Spanish II or above to be prepared and have an established basic understanding of Spanish.
Star Kissen (10), a student attending the trip, said, “I think it will be a beneficial learning experience because I will get to see and experience the culture of other countries, and hearing native speakers speak Spanish will definitely help with my Spanish proficiency.”
Both students expressed their excitement about the trip and emphasized how the real-world exposure would reinforce their classroom learning.
The trip is tightly structured to ensure the safety of all students, with limited free roam time, as there are many fun activities planned. If students were to split off into smaller groups for an activity like shopping, there would be a designated time and location where the whole group would reunite.
At an approximate cost of 4,200 dollars, the trip covers the expenses for two countries, meals, and activities. While this trip is not school-funded, many students who participate save through jobs or have family contributions. There are still spots open for students who are interested in the trip, but there are only a total of 15 spots available.
Beyond the language practice, Mrs. Sepe hopes that students will gain cultural appreciation and return with a broader perspective through this transformative educational trip.
