AAVE Trip BLOG » Espana Clasica

September 22, 2008
Spain Summer Adventure

Posted by AAVE Camper in : Espana Clasica, General AAVE Trip BLOG , add a comment

My first summer with AAVE was an unforgettable one. Every activity we participated in was one to remember. Whether we were having our first Spanish lesson in Santander, visiting Gaudi’s Park in Barcelona, or hiking the Pyrenees, we always came out of every experience with our brains filled with new knowledge, and even sometimes having conquered a fear or two. It was no secret that we were all having the time of our lives. I never fully understood what people meant when they would say, “It doesn’t matter what you have planned, it’s the people you’re with who make the trip” until I went to Spain and met the most accepting, interesting, adoring, fun, and understanding people. Each camper had something different to bring to the group. Our trip leaders, Lien, Ernie, and Caroline, were incredible! They made it impossible for us to ever get bored. They encouraged and motivated us to try new things, things that we would never have dreamed of doing. They made sure that we got as much out of our Spanish experience as possible. I learned how to be more independent, how to work productively with the people around me, and how to always keep a positive attitude. Even though there were challenging times, I realized that it was those moments that made the trip that much more exciting and memorable! I am so grateful that I had the privilege to be a part of such an amazing group of people. Thank you AAVE for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime. -Julia Balit