Students to Study Spanish in Puerto Rico this Summer
Ten Cuyahoga Heights students from grades eight to twelve will take their Spanish-language studies beyond the classroom when they travel to Puerto Rico June 23-29.
Led by Spanish teacher Christine Bennett, M.Ed., the week-long study abroad experience focuses on language immersion to strengthen students’ Spanish-speaking skills while fostering cultural awareness and personal growth. “Study abroad trips amplify what students are already learning in the classroom,” Bennett said. “They help build empathy, open-mindedness, confidence, and cross-cultural understanding.”
During the trip, students will participate in a variety of educational and cultural activities. Highlights include a visit to El Yunque National Forest, the only tropical rainforest in the United States National Forest system, where students will explore Puerto Rico’s unique ecosystem. They will tour Castillo San Felipe del Morro, commonly known as El Morro, the oldest Spanish fortification in the Caribbean and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additional experiences include:
A cooking class and dinner in Ponce
A visit to La Parguera, a vibrant fishing village known as the “best kept secret” for nature lovers.
A nighttime boat tour of a bioluminescent bay, where glowing microscopic plankton illuminate the water
Dance lessons introducing students to Puerto Rico’s traditional music and dance styles
Community support is helping students prepare for the experience. Earlier this spring, the Spanish program hosted its first “Stuff the Bus” fundraiser at the high school. Residents donated clothing, household goods, books, and other reusable items that were delivered to Savers in Rocky River, which provided funds based on the total weight of donations.
“The Stuff the Bus campaign was a huge success,” Bennett said. “Our school bus was stuffed from floor to ceiling and wall to wall.” The students collected 3,944 pounds of donated goods, raising more than $500 to help offset travel costs and provide lunches for students during the trip.
“Thank you to everyone who stopped by to donate and/or volunteered their time and effort,” Bennett added. “You are appreciated.”
Pictured: These students will take their Spanish-language studies beyond the classroom when they travel to Puerto Rico this summer.