Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

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COMING SOON!

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

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COMING SOON!

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things to know and expect:

1. Blog posts are written by onsite program staff and/or students and sent to our Headquarters team who will post the blog on this page.
2. We typically receive 2-3 blog updates per week from each program, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post every day – that’s totally normal.
3. Blog updates received late in the evening or overnight will be posted the following day.
4. Blog updates received on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
5. Due to many factors such as internet accessibility, program staff aren’t always able to send photos, so some blog posts may contain text only.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

---

Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

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COMING SOON!

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR FEBRUARY 13

Hola from Guatemala!

We are officially underway with the very first GLA Alumni Ambassador Antigua Getaway, and it has already been such a special start.

Our staff team arrived Thursday morning to prepare for this Alumni-only experience. While GLA has been running programs in Guatemala for over a decade, this is our first getaway just for Alumni Ambassadors, which makes it extra meaningful. 💛

Molly and Delilah got in on Friday a day early, and we kicked things off with dinner at a local favorite. The evening was filled with laughter and stories from past GLA programs. Our Local Director, Nayo, shared about his life growing up in Guatemala, grounding us in the culture and heart of this country. We ended the night with ice cream and a stroll through the cobblestone streets before getting some rest for official arrival day.

The next morning, Jagger, Ryan, Sophie, and Daniella joined us. We enjoyed breakfast with views of Volcán de Agua in the distance, then explored Antigua’s colorful streets. We stopped at artisan shops and visited the iconic yellow Arco de Santa Catalina for photos.

Lunch featured traditional Guatemalan dishes and lively marimba music. After a short siesta, we welcomed the rest of our group Jenna, Cayla, and Adam, completing our Ambassador crew. We gathered for a warm welcome dinner and reviewed plans for Day 2.

Next we head to Lake Atitlán, surrounded by volcanoes and lakeside villages. We are excited to visit a cacao shop and learn about chocolate making, visit a textile cooperative, deepen connections, build community, and continue creating unforgettable memories together.

More soon from Guatemala! 💙 The GLA Staff: Heather, Hayley, Ethan & Nayo

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BLOG POST FOR FEBRUARY 14

We started our morning off bright and early leaving at 6:30 on a bus to Atitlan. Ending up at an adorable breakfast place where we took Valentine’s Day photos, we had a delicious breakfast with some students even having pancake tacos!

After breakfast, we headed up to “Pana” where we took a speed boat to San Juan. In San Juan, we walked through a beautiful marketplace with colorful hanging umbrellas to get to a textile cooperative. We all learned so much about Mayan culture and weaving techniques.

Afterwards we walked through more shops to a chocolate factory, and got to see the process of making chocolate. Everyone then tried 100% cacao bean and most bought more! For lunch we went to a traditional restaurant where we had the freshest guacamole we had ever tasted.

Following our meal, we split up in buddy groups to check out souvenirs. Taking the boat back to Panajachel was a journey, as the ride was beautiful, but bumpy and chaotic in a fun way! Of course, we had to go to the beach to test out the waters! The walk there was so pretty through the town, and we were able to go to a private beach to swim. Even though the water was quite chilly, everyone had a blast.

Our hosts made us dinner with everyone having seconds and thirds before jumping into a leadership activity lead by our GLA mentors. Naturally, we needed dessert and walked back through town to get ice cream.

The day started early, but we made the most of it and ended the day with a dance party on the rooftop terrace! ✨🇬🇹🛥️

From your leaders of the day: Sophie Heyman, Daniella Knapp, and Jagger Jordan

Thanks for the checking out the blog for this Global Leadership Adventures Custom Group program!

Here are a few things you can expect:

1. We typically receive 2-3 blog posts per week here at GLA Headquarters from our program staff and students, so please don’t be alarmed if you don’t see a blog post daily – that’s totally normal.
2. Blog updates sent on weekends may not be posted until Monday.
3. Due to many factors, including but not limited to internet accessibility, photos may not always be available to post onto the blog. Sometimes onsite program staff are only able to send text back to Headquarters, where our team updates the blog.

Thank you for your patience and understanding, and we hope you enjoy following along on these unforgettable adventures.

For frequently asked questions about the blogs, please visit our Program Blog FAQ page.

-The Global Leadership Adventures HQ Team

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Click here to jump down to the most recent post!

BLOG POST FOR FEBRUARY 25

Feb 25 by Dwayne Deleon

Flying in and seeing the city from above already made it feel special, like I was about to step into somewhere full of history. After leaving customs, we were greeted by Global Leadership Adventures, who introduced themselves, and through an icebreaker we were able to break some of the awkward tension and start getting to know each other.

One of the highlights of the day was visiting the Sagrada Família. Seeing it in person was completely different from pictures the details, the scale, and the atmosphere were incredible. Our guide was experienced and explained everything in a way we could truly understand. We spent time learning about its history and how long it has taken to build, which made me appreciate it even more, and it felt meaningful to stand inside a place that has been worked on for generations.

After exploring, we went to a restaurant for lunch, where I ordered from a menu that honestly shocked me. Being in a new place, I wasn’t sure what I would like, but the experience pushed me out of my comfort zone. It allowed me to try new things, explore different flavors, and expand my palate, which made the day feel even more memorable.

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Feb 25 by Camila Cruz

Yesterday we had a really interesting and exciting day. We got the chance to visit the Sagrada Família and we learned a lot about the meaning behind its design. we found out that every part of the church tells a story. We learned about The Nativity side which represents Jesus’ birth full of detailed designs inspired by nature and The Passion side which was more serious, representing the suffering and sacrifice. we also walked through the inside and we learned about the tall columns that look like trees, making it feel like you’re standing in a forest foreshadowing how Antoni Gaudí was inspired by nature and believed it reflected God’s creation.

After that, we walked around Barcelona and saw beautiful buildings and palaces which helped me understand more about the city’s history and culture We also visited casa mila also known as La Pedrera. we learned that it was designed as an apartment building but how it has a lot of meaning behind it. The outside of the building is curved and looks like ocean waves, and the balconies look like twisted metal plants and we learned that Gaudí didn’t like using straight lines because he believed nature doesn’t have straight lines.

But overall our day wasn’t just about looking at buildings but also learning how architecture tells stories and have deep meanings.

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**Note: February 26 – March 1 posts can be found below. Photos for all of these days are at the bottom of the March 1 post.**

BLOG POST FOR FEBRUARY 26

Feb 26 by Arianna Aquino

Yesterday we woke up pretty early to go from Barcelona to Madrid. After getting ready and eating breakfast we all got on the bus. Pretty much as soon as we got on the bus, personally I fell asleep. Jet lag really got me and I was only able to sleep about 2-3 the night before. Our first bathroom stop at a place over the highway with a cafe and some souvenirs. Since we were going to a new hotel.

I decided to buy snacks and the snacks were kinda different from the ones in America but it was pretty much the same brands but different flavors. After we got back on the bus, I fell asleep again. Around that time it was about 4 hours on the road. We then stopped again to eat lunch. We ate at this restaurant where we had pre ordered the food and it was good. I ordered something I knew I was going to like which was salmon. After we got back on the road I fell asleep again and then we arrived at the hotel. That day was pretty much a road trip day. By the time we got to the hotel it was around 8.

The next day was really busy- we visited a high school in Toledo and got to see what a Spanish high school is like, with lots of activities with the students there. Then after lunch we went zip lining across a river which was amazing. We will tell you about that on the next blog.

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BLOG POSTS FOR FEBRUARY 27

Feb 27 by Emely Nina

On the fourth day of our trip we visited a school in Spain. It was honestly such a nice experience. It was fun learning about their history in a way that didn’t feel boring. We even made gazpacho together, which was actually really good. Watching the kids dance flamenco was so fun, and learning some flamenco moves ourselves made it even better. At lunchtime, I was surprised because the kids acted just like kids in the Dominican Republic. They listened to the same music as us and knew the same dances too. It made me feel at home and comfortable. It felt like a family gathering. It made me realize we’re not that different, even if we live in different countries.

In the afternoon, we went ziplining, and even though I knew I was going to do it the whole time, I started getting more and more nervous as we got closer. When I was standing at the very top, about to go, my heart was racing and I felt super anxious. Looking down made it even worse, and for a second I wasn’t sure if I actually wanted to do it. But the moment I finally went, everything changed. I didn’t feel scared any more; instead I felt free, relaxed, and honestly kind of refreshed. It was such a rush, and I’m so glad I didn’t back out.

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Feb 27 ⁠by Elian Garcia Rosario

On the way from Barcelona we went by the Mediterranean Sea which was a beautiful sight and much more than picture worthy. The students went through the central Spain desert. Ethan says the breakfast was “okay” but everyone disagrees and says it was really good.

On our way to Madrid we discovered some facts of our voyage such as a huge cemetery along the way, what are the most spoken languages by natives like Catalan where we were, traditions in Spain, its bordering countries, and the history of Spain while also enjoying the sunset. Along the voyage, we discovered various hills and plains showing Spain’s rural areas and a site worth remembering.

The next day we went to experience educational life in an international school called “Colegio Mayol”. We had many activities such as dancing (Flamenco), making Gazpacho, and learning more about Spain. After that, we went to eat lunch at a nearby location where the food was delicious. Shortly after, we went zip lining which proved to be more exciting than scary.

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Feb 27 by Michael Suero

Along the way to Madrid from Barcelona we went through a hilly plain of grass and across the barren parts of Spain with some little really old villages – it was very picturesque. After our drive across Spain we had dinner and got ready for the next day:

On arrival to Toledo we saw castles, cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques which were all very beautiful . The lighting was all beautiful like the famous El Greco painting of Toledo. On the arrival of Colegia Mayol we met the flamenco dancers who were high school students. There were guys who also played Spanish guitar and sang and got us to sing along to in Spanish.

Then we all got together with the Spanish students and danced and ate local foods. Elian and Brandon were really active in this activity. The students made many new friends and many more memories. We also made gazpacho, a cold tomato soup which was really a heavy tomato and cucumber soup. We also did Spanish history and introduction to Spanish culture. After the departure from Colegia Mayol we went to “fly Toledo” which was a local hotspot of an ancient castle filled with rich Spanish history. There was also a zip line where many students faced their fears. We zip lined over a river and then walked back over a historic stone bridge with a beautiful view.

Feb 27 by Na’layjah Esty

Yesterday went pretty smoothly. We took a quite long journey to Madrid from Barcelona. The bus ride was about 7 hours. We had a couple stops. We went to a restaurant for lunch that was surrounded by lots of open land. The food was good, we had a salad as the appetizer,chicken or salmon and potatoes for the main dish and for dessert we had cake . Overall , it was interesting and a pretty calm day. Then the next morning we visited a local school and it was really fun! That will be on tomorrow’s blog.

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Feb 27 by Elian Garcia Rosario

On the way from Barcelona we went through the Mediterranean Sea which was a beautiful sight and much more than picture worthy. The students went through the central Spain arid hills. Ethan says the breakfast was “pretty good” but everyone else said it’s great! Along the way to Toledo we went through a flat plain of grass of the barren parts of Spain. It was picturesque.

On arrival to Toledo we saw castles, cathedrals, synagogues, and mosques which were all very beautiful. The lighting was all beautiful. Like the famous El Greco painting. On the arrival of Colegia Mayol we met the flamenco dancers. High school students Elian and Brandon were really active in this activity. The students made many new friends and many more memories. We made gazpacho, a cold tomato soup which was really a heavy cucumber soup. We’ve also done Spanish history and introductions. After the departure of Colegia Mayol we went to Toledo which was a local hotspot of an ancient castle filled with rich Spanish history.

There was also a zip line where many students faced their fears. An activity for the sgla On our way to Real Madrid, we discovered some facts of our voyage such as a cemetery along the way, what are the most spoken languages by natives, traditions in Spain, its bordering countries, and the history of Spain while also enjoying the sunset. Along the voyage, we discovered various flat lands showing Spain’s rural areas and a site worth remembering. The survey dictates that the food displayed as options for breakfast was sufficient for consumption. We later went to experience educational life in an international school called “Colegio Mayol”.

We had many activities such as dancing (Flamenco), Making Gazpacho, and learning more about Spain. After that, we went to eat lunch at a nearby location where the food was delicious. Shortly after, we went zip lining which proved to be more exciting than scaring after trying.

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Feb 27 by Anaiya Taitt

On Friday February 27th the students had a very educational day. As we interacted with many different characters ,we learned about Spain through the eyes of other students our age. We learned we have many things in common and that the language barrier wasn’t something that stopped us from making new friends. They taught us traditional dances and how to make their traditional foods. They were very interactive and open with sharing their culture. Later on that day when we went zip lining many students have never done it before ,so it was a big moment for many people. The  ziplining was fun and most people didn’t even though it wasn’t in their comfort zone. As we were walking up to the zip lining we got to sightsee as the hill showed a beautiful layout of Toledo. We learned about the culture through architecture, as it looks like a beautiful fortress on a hill. We enjoyed our time in that beautiful city and learned so much from the students. 10 out of 10 would love to go back again.

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Feb 27 by Jonathon Figueroa

On February 27th, 2026, in Madrid, Spain, we went to visit an international school to explore more of their cultural norms on a day to day basis. We were able to learn about their geography, their different dances like flamenco, and much more. We proceeded to have a party where everyone was dancing and having fun celebrating with the Spain kids. We left as we went to this restaurant where they were to serve us, within our chaperone groups, chicken, fries, and some mashed potatoes ball which the food was amazing, 10/10. We went walking up to the destination of where we were then gonna zip line our way across the river to the other side. Multiple atmosphere kids ended up going across and had so much fun. As the day started to end, us scholars did some mini games to pass the time and reflected on each other. For dinner we ended up having some pasta and other foods like spaghetti and ice cream for dessert.

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BLOG POSTS FOR FEBRUARY 28

Feb 28 ⁠by Rafan Yaseen and Evan Perez

Today was a splendid day as we witnessed the true old town and major tourist spots in Madrid. We were finally able to see the true history of Madrid and those areas were extremely walkable. We went to the Prado museum first which contained many magnificent and historical pieces of art that were truly splendid. These pieces of art held a major role in history as each one depicted a purpose. We saw paintings by Velazquez, Goya, El Greco, Tintoretto, and many other famous paintings, with the guide explaining lots of details and facts about them.

After we visited the museum we took an amazing tour of the city and old Madrid as we saw the hotspots of the city and the true tourist attractions. It was a perfect bright sunny day and we really saw how the people of Madrid live, learned the history of the oldest parts of Madrid, and saw a lot of interesting shops and restaurants with interesting Spanish food. We also saw a tiny statue of Ratoncito Pérez- the Spanish version of the tooth fairy.

As the night ended we bonded within our groups playing fun games and enjoying with each other, Lastly we ended off with a pleasant dinner.

Tomorrow we will have a cooking class and see the magnificent Royal Place with 3418 rooms.

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Feb 28 by Esther Nyarko

Today was a really busy day in Madrid. We started off at the Prado Museum looking at a ton of famous paintings, and then we grabbed lunch at a buffet. After eating, we went on a walking tour through the center of the city and explored all the cool historical buildings around the plaza. I even managed to get some souvenir shopping done. Once we got back to the hotel, we hung out in our groups to talk about how the trip is going so far. We played a game called “Hot Seat” where you have 30 seconds to answer random questions so everyone can get to know you better, which was actually really fun. We also played a legendary game of Mafia before finally heading to dinner.

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Feb 28 by Jerlyn Ramirez

Visiting Spain was actually so fun, especially when we went to the Museo del Prado in Madrid. It was kind of crazy seeing real paintings we’ve only heard about in school, and the whole place just felt huge and impressive. Even though it was quiet inside, it didn’t feel boring, it was more like you could really take everything in. We saw lots of world famous paintings. After that, we went shopping, and then a walking tour all around the best parts of Madrid, which was fun:

The streets were busy and full of energy, and it was fun going into different stores and looking at clothes and little souvenirs. It felt like the perfect mix of learning, something cool and just enjoying being there.

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Feb 28 by Cobbs & Washington Pod

Hola familia!!!Saying hello all the way from Spain, today we started our day bright and early at 9 am. On our way to the Cibeles museum we received a bus tour explaining the history of the beautiful city of Madrid which if you don’t know means an abundant place in water. After our tour we got to visit the beautiful Cibeles museum in which we saw many different forms of art. 🖼️ not long after we got a beautiful cooking class 🧑‍🍳 🥘where we prepared a Spanish torta, paella, and a delicious almond tart! We got to do a little souvenir shopping after that u guys will receive in a few days. After that we visited the historical and magical Spanish royal palace 👑. We learned its history and saw its beautiful art. To end off our day we debriefed and groups and had meaningful and important conversations. We hope u guys loved our recap and goodnight from us in 🇪🇸.

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Feb 28 by Jackeline Campos

We went to two main places and did a bit of shopping: Palacio de Cibeles and Palacio Real Madrid. During the shopping portion, I got a photo with my best friend and it’s a memory I’ll cherish after we leave Spain. Between the two main places, it’s hard to pick a favorite since both were incredible in their own way! Cibeles had a ton of pieces ranging from painted, sewn, written, and sculpted that completed the whole “before renaissance” vibe all throughout Spain. My personal favorite was of a sculpted woman that looked so similar to Greek mythology I was immediately captivated. Afterwards, we went to Madrid’s Palace and it was like nothing I’ve ever seen before. Everything was so opulent from the chandeliers, paintings, decorations, and even flooring! Our guide was so immersive and taught a ton of Spain’s rulers history and why the palace was even built. Every room looked more expensive than the last but had such deep history in who made it and how far back each artifact goes. All in all, the experience was amazing and worth the foot pain after!

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BLOG POSTS FOR MARCH 1

March 1 by Eduardo Martinez

Today we first woke up today and went downstairs at 8 so we can eat breakfast then we went upstairs to grab our important belongings so we can go at 9:30 .Next we went on the bus to Prada museum to learn about art and its various styles and religion. Later at like 10 we went to walk around Madrid to go for lunch at a buffet.when we arrived at buffet they had various options of food to try such as rice, pizza,ice cream,etc. after the buffet we had 25 minutes to explore the local shops and buy souvenirs . And last we went around the whole city back to the palace that we explored the day prior to take the bus back to the hotel.

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March 1 by Brandon Javier

To start the day we went to the Prado Museum. The Prado Museum (in Madrid) is basically a massive treasure chest filled with some of the most famous paintings ever made. It’s not just a big building with art, it’s where the Spanish kings and queens kept their private artifacts, so the stuff there is very rare. You’ll find some really crazy things, like Goya’s dark, creepy paintings and Bosch’s super weird scenes of heaven and hell. It’s most famous for Las Meninas, which is a huge painting that feels like you’re looking into a mirror from hundreds of years ago. Afterwards, we went to make Paella. A Spanish tortilla is basically a thick, potato omelet that’s super filling and easy to eat. You just fry up some sliced potatoes and onions in a pan, mix them with a bunch of eggs, and cook it until it’s like a big, golden cake. People in Spain eat it at all times of the day, and it tastes just as good cold as a snack as it does hot for dinner.

Here are lots of photos from the last few days!!

**Note: More posts from March 1-March 3 can be found below. All photos are added at the bottom of the March 3 post.**

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MORE BLOG POSTS FOR MARCH 1

March 1 by Omotayo Olaniwun

Yesterday we started the day off with going to an art exhibit going down the 5 different floors taking pictures. Me and my friends posed near some of the sculptures. One floor contained animals depicted in different colors and even a cat in a coat. After that we went to a cooking class where we made a tortilla Español, tarta de Santiago, and paella. The ingredients were chicken, bell peppers, peas in a pod, garlic, and saffron. It tasted amazing! I made it with Elian and Richard, we all cut different ingredients to add to the pan. The tortilla Español was made with eggs, potatoes, and onions. I made it by letting the mixture cook on one side then flip around to fully cook it. We then went to the Royal Palace and checked the different rooms. All the rooms were beautiful and we found many fun facts like all the silverware before 1812 were melted by Napoleon when he conquered Spain. There were many rooms made for very important dinners and for making deals. One of these rooms contained Chinese designs and pictures on the walls but these rooms were used as smoke rooms.

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March 1 by Justin Leonardo

First we went to a place called Cibeles and started off on the 5th floor. We went down one floor at a time and found interesting things like projections of Art and Art paintings. Also, we saw things about Architecture. The building was very beautiful with a colored glass ceiling and lots of ornate architecture. We spent 10-15 minutes on each floor on average. About an hour later, we went to a place in the city to make a famous dish from Spain named Paella. The ingredients are chicken, rice, bell pepper, cucumber, garlic, and red onions. We also made Spanish tortillas and for dessert a cake made with almond flour. It was all really good and we ate what we had all cooked for lunch.

After that we walked through the city some more to the huge Royal palace. We saw even more beautiful rooms and learned about the history of the Spanish royalty and Spain. Then we went to the Madrid Cathedral and saw it, and then went back to homebase for dinner. We also met up with our group and played some fun games.

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March 1 by Alan Tias

Throughout this day, March 1st, 2026, I probably did more than what I expected to do. Even though walking about in Madrid was long, and my feet got sore, I was able to visit and understand the culture of the city, ultimately understanding that of the whole entire country of Spain. With this, I also enjoyed the food in Spain, such as the paellas and exploring the Royal Palace in Madrid. Before, I went to Barcelona to view the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, where I took photos and sent it to my family back home.

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March 1 by Mariama Makanera

As this trip has been incredible and I have been consumed in happiness. I am incredibly grateful to have been allowed to experience and explore the atmosphere and gla. Yesterday was one for the most exemplary days of my life. As someone who has never been outside of my own city let alone my country it has truly been an experience so far. Cooking yesterday with people that I never thought I would speak to was overly fun. Making paella and Spanish tortillas and challenging my cooking skills. Then we went to the royal palace, seeing the beauty of ancient history. And surprisingly as someone who doesn’t really enjoy walking it was all amazing and incredibly aesthetic. I will continue to cherish this trip and I can’t wait to see all the new and exciting adventures they have planned for us.

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March 1 by Viance Gomez

First, we went to a museum at the Ayuntamiento de Madrid. It was really interesting learning more about the city and its history. Some parts were super impressive, and it honestly made me appreciate Madrid a lot more. After that, we headed to cooking class, which had such a vibe. I baked a cake (very proud of that ), and the rest of the group made rice and tortillas. Everything smelled amazing, and it was really fun cooking together. And after, we went through the day at the greatest royal place, the Royal Palace of Madrid. It was HUGE and absolutely beautiful. The rooms, the details, everything felt so grand — like stepping into another time.

We then ended the day heading to this beautiful church over there next to the royal castle. It was such a beautiful area ofc we had Jesus Christ looking out on top of us. Finally we headed to dinner where we had a salad and pork with potatoes and dessert. Then off to bed to get ready for a big day tomorrow- a walking tour of Toledo and then going to Granada in Andalucia! Overall, today was the perfect mix of learning, food, and exploring. Definitely a day I’ll remember.

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March 1 by Scheccid & Izabella

Yesterday our group went to El Museo Del Prado in Madrid. We got to explore different parts of Spanish history through beautiful images. We saw many of the amazing works of Diego Celasquez, who is the pioneer for Spanish art culture. We also got the privilege to see the works of Goya and get a glimpse of the dark ages during the Spanish Civil War. A journey that not many would’ve enjoyed was the most engaging and immersive experience, all thanks to the tour guides that we got the opportunity to be with.

Then our group was taken on a tour around the town. We were given the opportunity to see some amazing pieces of Spanish history. As well as indulge in a flea market which consisted of many different cultures and people. The tour allowed our group to see the history of their culture as well as others and created a large understanding of the art and background of the town. An amazing experience as well that we are incredibly grateful to have.

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March 1 by Arlette Garcia Uraga

Today was filled with many opportunities of both fun and entertainment. Today we traveled to the Prado Museum, but not before having a nutritious breakfast, but the museum was full of so many antiques and creative illustrations of religious aspects as well as historical ones. It filled people with a sense of calm and creativity seeing the differing perspectives that each artist put into their work. We traveled to the shops in Madrid, which were full of many items and had lively streets. Later on, we headed to the front of the palace, in which we met many characters that were dancing outside, including someone that was dancing to Michael Jackson. At the hotel, we gathered up in our circles and had a fun time going over what we have enjoyed about Spain and what is to come. We had been getting to know each other more well, also getting to know Spain as one with more fun. We can’t wait for what is to come.

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BLOG POSTS FOR MARCH 2

March 2 by Kaylah Noisette

Today we traveled from Madrid to Toledo, a historic city known as the “City of Three Cultures” because Christians, Muslims, and Jews lived there together for centuries. When we arrived, we walked through the narrow, winding streets and saw how the city sits on a hill surrounded by the Tagus River, which helped protect it in the past. We visited important landmarks like the Toledo Cathedral, one of the most impressive Gothic cathedrals in Spain, and learned that Toledo was once the capital of Spain before Madrid. Even though it was a short visit, we experienced so much history, culture, and beautiful views in just a few hours.

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BLOG POSTS FOR MARCH 3

March 3 by Lynette

So today was our second to last day in Spain. First, we went to Alhambra, a Muslim Palace that all the Caliphates used. Even though we’ve been tired we engaged in the tour and enjoyed the sunny weather and peaceful fountains. After that tour, we went to our rooms and got dressed for our farewell dinner aka Flamenco dance class, dinner, and performance. I had a lot of fun especially with the dance class since I like to dance and everyone’s dancing skills were so good. After that, we went back to the hotel to get a good nights rest to fill out energy up for our last day in Spain and many memories to keep.

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March 3 by Itzayana

We started our first full day of Granada with excitement as we woke up and got ready for the new day. After a short trip on the bus we arrived to our first destination, The Alhambra. The Alhambra is a big palace and fortress in Granada built a long time ago, known for its beautiful patterns, tiles, and gardens. We learnt about Spain’s history and how different cultures shared ideas in art and buildings. After a short break in our hotels we arrived to La Solea where we learnt how to do a flamingo dance and after a lot of practicing we were able to preform for our friends on the big stage. The day ended with a nice dinner at the same place and us arriving back to the rooms to rest for the next day.

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March 3 by Richard Alvarado

Yesterday we went first to the ancient Muslim fortress. It also had a christians and Jewish population sometimes. My favorite thing at the Alhambra was the Lions Court. I liked it because of the details and decorations and beautiful patterns. We learned they did such detailed designs because in Islam they do not put figures like people and animals. There were also beautiful views of Granada and we walked and saw a lot. After we had a nice lunch buffet. Then we went back to the hotel to get ready for our big Flamenco dance class and show. We learned some flamenco dance steps and had a dance off between bus groups (we won of course). Then we had a really nice dinner in the old bullring. And then we went down to the flamenco show. It was amazing. The way they use their feet is really cool. The way they move and are so serious was really interesting. Afterwards we walked back to our hotel. Tomorrow we are excited for our scavenger hunt.

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March 3 by Tasneem Larry

Today we went to Alhambra, an Islamic palace still preserved in Spain. The beautiful structures and the perfectly calculated architecture, really caught my eye. I loved it here and I took amazing pictures. My favorite thing to see were the walls, the walls all said various things in arabic. Which I thought were very eye catching. After we went back to the hotel and rested for a bit, we came to a flamenco class. It was so fun, we learned a cute little choreo with our bus groups and competed to see which one was better. After we had dinner at that same place and watched them perform, it was beautiful and perfectly done, a whole new experience!. I loved today so much.

Lots of pics below!

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BLOG POSTS FOR MARCH 4

March 4 by Imani Woods

Today on our final day we woke up and got ready for the day by having breakfast that consisted of a buffet style. Afterwards, we all headed outside on a walk to participate in our final outdoors activities which consisted of a scavenger hunt and shopping. For the scavenger hunt, each of the groups had to find items and take pictures that were scattered around Granada within a time limit of 90 minutes. Then until lunch and even after lunch we went shopping in a nearby district.However, after lunch it began to rain which hindered our outdoor activities. But as soon as everyone was situated we were sectioned into groups based on our bus as we had a final seminar. The main objective was to tap a person that made you feel “___” based on the prompt given which was a very emotional time for many. We all gave each other shout outs and promised that this wouldn’t be the last that we would speak to each other outside of Spain.

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March 4 by Anabelle Rosario Taveras

Today Atmosphere students and GLA staff explored the depths of Granada through an engaging scavenger hunt. Students ventured along the streets taking photos to win a prize. With students split into 6 groups only one winner emerged… the Pink Team!! Winners won great cookies and after, the students and staff moved on to souvenir shopping. Finally, to end the trip Maria (Maps) led the “Appreciation Circle” where each student shared their appreciation for one another anonymously. Through the tears and laughs each student shares a final thought. And with that, the trip to Spain 2026, has been complete.

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BLOG POST FOR MARCH 5

March 5 by Lauren

After an amazing week together the student group is heading home tomorrow with new memories, experiences, and knowledge of group and self. We had such a wonderful time in Spain with this Atmosphere group and look forward to learning about the impact you take home with you! Thanks for an amazing time of tapas, cooking classes, museums, laugher, dance, and amazing memories and learning!

Today the group begins their travels home and puts on an extra jacket as they arrive back to New York! No es adiós, es hasta pronto!!