The exchange program started on Saturday, October 19th when a group of students from 9th and 10th grade -3rd and 4th ESO- and their chaperone took off from Barcelona to experience their American adventure. After a long travelling journey the group was welcomed at Long Trail School by their host families and teachers, who will be taking good care of them during their stay in the state of Vermont.

A very busy and interesting schedule awaited our students at their arrival, and nothing could be more fun than the wonderful American plan they experienced on Sunday night. Together with the German students and their homestay American siblings the group had dinner at a nice tavern in Saratoga Lake, which belongs to the state of New York. After taking pictures at the beach and getting energetic with the good food served, the group went to a Haunted Hayride. It was dark and foggy, and they all got on a wagon to experience an outdoor Halloween scenery; scary but very authentic.

On Monday the group got to school at 8 am and were warmly welcomed by everyone. They got their individual itineraries and were ready for class. Art, Drama, Music, English, French and Math are some of the subjects they will be working on during their stay. They share these classes with the American students and some German exchange students, who are in LTS together with our group for this ongoing week.

Their busy schedule includes some field trips around the area and the first one has been a workshop at Southern Vermont Art Center. After visiting the exhibition and working on an art survey, our students got immersed into art and worked on their own painting. The art teacher guided them through the technique and passed on her passion for art to our students, who worked on a farm scene using bright colors, inspired by the Vermont artist Woody Jackson.

These three days are the start of a two week experience that will surely make longlasting memories. Getting adapted to the American lifestyle and attending lessons in a different school are some of the aspects of this enormous apprenticeship that not only includes a 100% use of the English language but also personal growth and enrichment.

Congratulations to all of our students for their willingness to get involved in this experience!