My City May 2023

MYCOMMUNITY

The students and Handy stayed in an Airbnb rental. "We lived together for ten days with only two bathrooms," one of the students shared. "We knew each other from school but have now bonded for life. We stepped up and helped each other." Chef Handy adds, "We built a family really quickly." "THEY WERE VERY IMPRESSED WITH OUR STUDENTS! I BELIEVE AN EXCHANGE PROGRAM WILL COME OUT OF THIS.” CHEF MARK HANDY

spots," Handy reports, including La Sagrada Familia – the largest Catholic Church in the world – and two Michelin two-star restaurants. They went to a Picasso museum and shopped at a flea market in a four-sto ry building with hundreds of vendors. The group also took in the beauty of the Medi terranean Sea. "I jumped in!" exclaims Ga briel. "It was beautiful." They boarded a tram for a tour of the entire city of Barcelona and took a step back in time visiting medieval buildings in the Gothic Quarter. "It was nice to immerse ourselves in the culture," says Asija. "We did a lot of walking!" Julie exclaims, "an average of seven miles a day." The students took note of many cultural differences – there were very few cars; trans portation was by moped, trains, buses and trams. There were no Wal-Marts or big gro cery stores, just small specialty shops all over the city offering fresh seafood and produce. Another difference was that each day from 2-6pm, the city shut down, the stores closed and people went home to rest. "There was a much better work/life balance there," Kyra points out. "There were so many restaurants, groceries were cheaper, food was fresher and a better climate – ten days of sunshine.”

STUDENTS REFLECT

To me, this trip has opened my eyes to European travel and I one hundred percent plan on going back." Brendan Geralds This trip took away my fear of traveling and left me thirsty for more of what the world has to offer!" Jesse Lawson The experience mesmer ized me, leaving me with an unquenchable thirst to explore and learn more about the world. The inno vative and unconventional teaching methods at the Cu linary Institute of Barcelo na ignited a passion within me to seek out more diverse approaches to education in other parts of the globe." Asija Jones

THE GROUP VISITED MANY SITES, INCLUDING LA SAGRADA FAMILIA – THE LARGEST CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE WORLD.

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