Alicantino Arrival Day and Orientation

Spanish Language and Culture High School Summer Abroad students in Alicante, Spain have arrived safely and are on their way to becoming true alicantinos! Their exciting journey started with many long flights from all around the United States, a group flight from Philadelphia and a connecting flight in Madrid to the wonderful southeastern coastal city, Alicante. Many movies were watched and many naps were taken on the flights over. 

Upon their arrival to Alicante airport chaperoned by our Program Leaders, our Global Navigators were greeted by CIEE Alicante Staff and all of their excited host families! They were greeted with the popular dos besos (two kisses on the cheek when greeting someone new or someone you haven't seen in a while) and traveled to their new home for the next month by car or public transport. 

While they spent the first day with their host families, some enjoyed a typical Spanish lunch of tortilla de patatas, verduras, pollo y patatas bravas (Spanish omelet, vegetables, chicken and potatoes with a spicy sauce). To recuperate their energy many students went for a walk around their barrio (neighborhood) with their families or rested in their new rooms. 

After an early night in, our students woke up energized for orientation day! They learned about how to navigate Alicante safely, how to interact with locals, the academic procedures, their schedule as well as played many ice-breakers to get to know one another! They were trained on what it means to be a Global Navigator in Alicante, signed the ever important Language Pledge stating they will only speak en español and enjoyed their breaks in the plaza next to our class location, The University of Alicante. 

What is the best plan after a long travel day and an intense orientation day? The beach of course! Classes are a 10 minute walk to the local beach, la playa Postiguet. While enjoying their lunch prepared by their host families, they also got to take a dip in the warm Mediterranean sea while taking advantage of the Alicante sun. After our time at the beach, we completed a practical tour of the city center visiting sites such as the Town Hall, La Plaza Mayor and the popular and emblematic Mushroom Street!

By the end of day one our Global Navigators became familiar with Alicante, the program and were picked up by their host families to spend the evening in full cultural and linguistic immersion. The energy is high here in Alicante and our brave students are ready to make the most of every opportunity Spain has to offer!