International Student Ambassadors Travel to Spain

Student Exchange to Vilanova 2015

International Student Ambassadors from Joliet Catholic Academy are welcomed by the mayor of Vilanova, Spain. (Posted by communications56, Community Contributor)

APRIL 23, 2015, 8:41 AM Twenty­four international student ambassadors from Joliet Catholic Academy high school along with two chaperones, Lauren Finaldi and Ellen Herron, completed the second half of a short­term exchange with a Catholic high school in Vilanova, Spain. This is the third year JCA has participated in the exchange program.

Participants lived with families of local Vilanova high schoolers who traveled from Spain in the fall to experience the Joliet Catholic Academy tradition. Students from JCA went to school and attended classes with their host brother/sister. Several students participated in the content of specific courses such as Math, Science, and English. 

The JCA contingent participated in several excursions while in Spain. During a trip to Tarragona, they were able to explore an ancient Roman amphitheater, wall, and circus arena. In Madrid, they toured the Royal Palace and Prado Art Museum. An ornate cathedral impressed the group in the old capital of Toledo. Barcelona left them speechless at the sight of the Holy Family Basilica, which is still under construction, after almost 200 years. 

The heart of the trip was the opportunity to live daily life in another culture and formulate life­long friendships in another part of the world.

International student ambassadors from JCA participating in this year's exchange included juniors Breanna Akre, Casey Corless, Kaci Courtwright, Mia Farrell, Thomas Hilke, Lena Rodriguez, Madelyn Tyler, Kaitlyn Williams and Matt Vonch along with seniors Nataly Cardenas, Samantha DeBenedetti, Emily Demick, Ryan Gulden, Molly Gunning, Dalton Jones, Jacey Lambert, Connor McNulty, Renee McTee, Alex Mihalakakos, Kaitlin Papesh, Michelle Poplawski, Madeline Seneker, Amy Thompson and Adriana Trizna. For more information on JCA's International Student Ambassadors program, contact club moderator, Lauren Finaldi, at lfinaldi@jca­online.org or 815.741.0500. This item was posted by a community contributor.