This summer, Spanish teacher Steve Goodwin led a group of six Souhegan High School seniors on a cultural expedition to Spain.

They spent four weeks learning the culture of the country and improving their language skills day after day.

This was the 12th year that Goodwin has led this trip, and though it was a much smaller group and a much hotter month, the students still had a phenomenal experience.

"I am so grateful to have been able to go on a once in a lifetime trip with my friends and be immersed in the amazing culture." Hailey Johnson said.

The group spent most of their time in the small town of Campanario. Some lived with a family, while other students lived together in an apartment sharing household responsibilities while Goodwin’s wife, Blanca, cooked them authentic spanish meals.

"I think that everybody gets something out of the trip," Goodwin said. "For example, for some kids it’s a good preparation for college; they push their comfortable limits by living with another family or in an apartment with other students."

Students had class most mornings, and went to the market. They spent most afternoons at the pool with friends from town. At around 8 p.m., they would return to their house or apartment for dinner and then go out with local kids or Goodwin and the rest of their group until about 2 a.m.

Though this may seem very late, in Spain people often stay up much later than this because they nap in the afternoon to avoid the heat.

"My favorite part of the Spain trip would probably be the freedom that Steve allowed us to have while there," says Emily Lewis, another senior on the trip. "The freedom allowed us to fully immerse into the culture of the town, Campanario, as well as almost force us to go out of our comfort limits and meet new kids our age that will be our friends for a lifetime."

The greatest learning often took place outside the classroom, and students had a good amount of free time in which they could interact with Spanish kids their age. They all made great friends, and these friendships were established through their practice of the language.

"It helped my Spanish because we were submersed in a culture where we were forced to speak a language and try to get across one single idea with as much knowledge as we had on the subject," Anna Farrow said. "So we learned new things every day that would help us communicate with our friends."

By the last day, most of the students were in tears as they said goodbye to their new friends.

"It was nice to be in a place where the focus wasn’t on a cellphone but rather their friends and people that truly matter to them," Farrow said. "It changed the way I perceive their culture and what they value most."

Alex Cullen is a senior at Souhegan High School in Amherst.