Spain: Language & Culture

When I first signed up for the trip I was a bit hesitant but actually getting to see the sights and doing the activities made me forget about any worries I ever had and meeting new people was also a great bonus.please check it out whenever you get the chance it would a great shame that on miss out on this wonderful opportunity. Getting to see another part of the word being so different and similar to yours is a great eye opener for those who are interested and getting introduced to the culture.

The Spain Global Works trip changed my life. It was two weeks of fun, exploration, and service. I knew no one on the trip, and I left with friends that I cherish and I’m still in contact with. I started the trip knowing only a little Spanish but I learned so much more during the trip and left more confident in my abilities. From beach activities, paella cooking class, to siesta, everyday was full of laughter, learning and delicious food. At first it may have seemed like not have our phones was going to be hard, but after the first few days we forgot all about our devices. We formed real connections to each other, talked during hikes and bus rides, played games together during siesta, and took pictures with our digital cameras. The service we did together made me into a better person. I now know more about organic and sustainable agriculture, (I ate the most delicious freshly picked berries I’ve ever had!) I gave back to the children and practiced Spanish with the teens of Dílar, learned cultural arts such as crocheting and flamenco dancing, and learned about the experiences of refugees in Spain. I look back on this trip often, I honestly loved every moment and I know you will too. Give yourself (or your teenager!) the chance to experience this amazing trip! I promise you won’t regret it.

Honestly I was really scared at first since I've never left the country a lot, and let alone by myself with a group of strangers. But somehow the minute I got to the airport I already felt safe with the people around me. This trip has opened my eyes in so many different ways to so many experiences that I never really thought about. I've never felt so comfortable with group leaders before; they truly made the experience amazing and helped me focus more on the adventures at hand instead of focusing only on where we are going and the safety protocols.

I had an incredible experience with Global Works this past summer, and I couldn’t have asked for better group leaders. Pablo, Teresa, and Penny were phenomenal – their dedication, energy, and support truly made our time memorable and impactful. From day one, they encouraged us to step out of our comfort zones and engage fully with the local community. Their passion for the work and genuine interest in each participant’s growth inspired all of us.

I especially loved our time in Amayuelas de Abajo, Spain, where we worked on eco-friendly projects that allowed us to connect deeply with sustainable practices and the people in the community. Later, volunteering at Fundación Escuela de la Solidaridad (FES) in Granada was another highlight. Supporting marginalized communities there, from helping in educational programs to working on construction projects, was eye-opening. It was deeply fulfilling to contribute to programs focused on education, housing, and social reintegration, and I felt like we made a real difference.

Beyond the hard work, the leaders ensured we enjoyed the local culture and had time for self-reflection, making the experience balanced and transformative. Overall, this program allowed me to grow personally and provided meaningful ways to contribute. Highly recommend Global Works and this incredible team!

My trip to Spain through GlobalWorks was my first abroad program and trip to Europe ever. This was one of my favorite experiences. I made so many connections all across the country (and outside the country!) and connected with community members at the places we stayed at. I felt safe and had such a blast. Along with the people, the views were absolutely amazing. Visiting the beaches and castles were some of the most beautiful things I’ve seen. I totally recommend traveling through GlobalWorks if you have the opportunity!

This was a great trip! I especially enjoyed making new friends, meeting people living there, and living in different communities. It was very fun and an awesome trip. The counselors were all amazing and super nice and no part of the trip was boring! We ate great food and went to two different communities that focused on immigration and sustainability. We did service at both and lived at both for 3-5 days of the trip which was very interesting and different but super fun! Even when we didn’t have a specific planned activity, when I would usually go on my phone, we instead went outside and hung out with each other!

I met a lot of new interesting people and quickly got immersed in Spanish culture including Spanish customs, food and the language. It’s a great opportunity to broaden your horizons in beautiful new locations. You grow so much and Learn so much about yourself. I’ll cherish my memories of the trip for a long time and would highly recommend it. You’ll fall in love with Spain in this trip. You work hard and learn how to thrive with others. I met so many cool people on this trip I won’t soon forget.

My 16 yo joined this program in 2022. He was reluctant but we were all so relieved and happy that he did it. He connected with teens from far flung places and valued the camaraderie and support from the leaders. He was proud of his building accomplishments and thankfully he acquired some Spanish along the way. He even read a few Hemingway books, under the night skies. After he returned, he shared amazing stories and has stayed in touch with kids across states and continents. The No screen policy was also a welcome change!