This summer, 26 Indiana high school Spanish students and three instructors are taking part in the inaugural IUHPFL program in Almería, Spain. The coastal city of Almería reflects the history of Spain. It was founded in 955 during the Islamic era, and its name comes from its original Arabic name: Al-Mariyya Bajjana. Situated in southern Spain on the Mediterranean Sea, it served as a major trading center during the 10th and 11th centuries. In 1489, Almería finally submitted to the Catholic monarchs of the newly unified Spain and later expelled its Muslim citizens in 1568. During the Spanish Civil War in the mid-20th century, Almería was shelled by the German forces and was the last Andalusian stronghold to fall to Franco’s forces.
New Program Site - Almería, Spain
The Onsite Coordinator at our newest site is Patricia Fernández Rodríguez, the director of the Almería Spanish school. She has a background in music, and teaching has been her passion since she was young. She loves anything related to art, music, literature, and culture.
This summer, students have a packed schedule, visiting numerous points of interest in and around Almería and taking classes during their time abroad. Some highlights of their local activities include: a walking tour of the city, a tour of the Alcazaba (a fort from the Islamic era), a Flamenco class, and a visit to the shelters where civilians took refuge during the shelling in the Spanish Civil War. Students will also partner weekly with a local Scouts organization to give back to the Almería community. Finally, students will take longer weekend excursions to the Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, and, at the end of the program, Madrid.
