4th of July, Visiting the mayor, and more!

Dear families, friends, and fans - please excuse the long delay in updating the blog. It has been a full and exciting time here in León (and elsewhere), and we have been working hard to compile all of the photos, details, and anecdotes to give you all the best update possible.

Diving right in then... despite (or perhaps because of) being far from home, the students were eager to celebrate the 4th of July. Traditionally the 4th of July party is one of the two largest and most extensive events that we organize, as it involves the instructors, the administrative team, the students, and their host families, who are encouraged to invite extended family members as well. The result was a feast of smiles, hugs, and Spanish interpretations of traditional American food to celebrate the holiday. The day featured a competitive cook-off among Spanish host families to see who could craft the most "American" Spanish tortilla, as well as the tastiest and most authentic apple pie. Afterward, students were allowed their one exception to the Spanish-only pledge: a rendition of the national anthem (led by Brad on the trumpet).

Americans in Spain celebrating the USA

Camelia, Olivia, Caroline, Annie,
Piper, and Anna feeling AMERICAN

Clarissa, Taylor, Marlana, Blake, and Brad
with adoring members of their host families

U-S-A! Or, well, E-E-U-U


Feeling thoroughly (and appropriately) American was all well and good, but the students were quickly thrust back into the position of being distinguished guests in Spain as they were given the opportunity for an official audience with the recently elected mayor of León, Antonio Silván. The mayor received us warmly, and after giving a brief speech of welcome, two students who had volunteered for the opportunity, Nick C. and Camelia, delivered speeches of gratitude in return. Nick C. had the distinct honor of presenting the mayor with a gift on behalf of IUHPFL León. We were then shown a site which virtually no one, even those native citizens of León, have ever seen - the beautiful view of the city from the roof of the City Hall building.

 The week was full of excitement, both of the American and the Spanish variety, and meanwhile, the students are beginning to become aware that their time in Spain is drawing to an end. They are working hard to prepare for their various performances in the Farewell Party, which will take place next week, and they are all bracing themselves for the return to the US, which will be a mixture of obvious joy - for returning to friends, family, and familiarity - and melancholy - for leaving behind new homes and new friends where they feel welcome.

More updates to come soon - thank you, as ever, for following the students' adventures, and please excuse the lapse between posts. Rest assured that the updates will be coming in much more frequently for the remainder of our time in Spain.
~Mark